The moment the music ended, there was a moment of silence.

Then the audience rose to their feet for a standing ovation for the musical presentation of Joseph Smith the Prophet, which was performed at the Rexburg Tabernacle Nov. 12.

Joseph Smith the Prophet, written by Rob Gardner, tells the story of Joseph Smith’s life from the first vision through his martyrdom.

“I wrote it because I felt I needed to share my testimony of Joseph Smith,” Gardner said.

The play also told of the people who closely surrounded and supported the prophet throughout his life.

Choir members told the stories of trials, revelations and the faith of the people who knew Joseph personally. Through music and speech, University Choir members took on the roles of key historical members such as John Taylor, Lucy Mack Smith and Martin Harris.

“The part of Martin Harris, written musically, ... is quite powerful,” said Andrew Peck, a senior from Rexburg. “I gained a better understanding of the three witnesses and their importance to the whole process of the birth of the church.”

While the stories were poignant, it was the music from the choir and orchestra that inspired and upheld the Spirit with such numbers from the haunting melody of “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” to “The Spirit of God,” “Praise to the Man” and “Hymn to the Prophet.”

“I put in my testimony of Joseph Smith, how important it was, how with out him we would be lost and I think that’s part of what’s behind this,” said Atina Coates, a senior from Rexburg and a University Choir member.

Audience members felt a deep spiritual atmosphere throughout a the performance that instilled an honest moment of quiet reflection about who Joseph Smith was.

“It gives me such a reverence and gratitude to Joseph Smith for not just giving his life, but his entire life to serving, loving and caring for people,” said Janey Halle, a senior from Willard, Mo. “It made me want to be a little bit better because I felt it so much!”

As the music and spirit of the Restoration connected the audience and uplifted those who participated, it also taught with music designed to inspire reverence for Joseph Smith.

“What I really learned from it and seeing tens of thousands of people come and enjoy it, is that we all long to know more about Joseph Smith,” Gardner said. “We all have a testimony of him, but we don’t know who he is and we want to badly to know who he was a human being and his mission and that’s really powerful to me to see people’s reaction to it.”