Gospel in Art Exhibition

April 2, 2014

Joseph Smith Building, SLC, Utah
http://www.gospelinart.org


"Let The Children Come" Liz Lemon Swindle
http://www.ldsart.com/p-9040-let-the-children-come.aspx

I had an amazing time going to the Art Exhibit with my mom. Its was so touching and inspiring to see the beautiful pictures and learn the stores behind those pictures. I also loved talking to the artists and feeling their spirit.  I fell in love with so many of the paintings and wish I could go thru all the art and tell you about it but there is just so many.  I will pick some of my favorite and why the art touched me.

 "Sweet Hour Of Prayer"

By Emily Dyches Pugmire

http://www.ldsart.com/p-25838-sweet-hour-of-prayer.aspx

This painting and the story behind it touched me in many ways. In talking to the Artist I learned about her illness were her right eye filled with white blood cells and a blood vessel burst inside her eye. Permanent vision loss was a big concern. She thought about how she might change her career  and lifestyle. She found solace in her own "sweet hour of prayer". Fortunately her sight improved over time and she was able to finish this painting. 

Each character in the painting is closing his eyes and focusing his spiritual vision on the struggle at hand. She wanted to portray how prayer can literally call us from our 'world of care'. What a better way to portray those who are in season of distress and grief, then to portray army men at war. Here they are coming together to express their faith in the omnipotent "arm of the LORD." The central figure in this painting posed for this painting between serving his first and second tour in Iraq. It symbolizes different religions coming together to pray before going to war. I love this and to me it is the same. We need to pry before we go into the world. No matter what we face and were we are at we can kneel down and pray. 

I bought a print of this picture because it touched me personally. My dad served in Vietnam just one month after returning from his Northern Indian Mission. My mom told me after he died she found a letter from a man he served in Vietnam with. The letter told of how him and his family invited some missionaries into there home when they knocked on the door. He said that because of my dad's example during the war they took the lessons and were converted to the church.

"Follow Me"

Liz Lemon Swindle

http://www.ldsart.com/p-42333-follow-me.aspx

This was the masterpiece that was unveiled at the exhibit.

"On the Sea of Galilee, Jesus walked on the water; the Apostles were astonished and even frightened "...they supposed it had been a spirit... and were troubled." (Mark 6:49-50) Jesus bid Peter to walk, but when Peter began to sink, he dried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus then helped him, saying, "Wherefore Didst thou doubt?" (Mathew 14:25-32 )
When I look at the painting it gives me comfort in knowing to not be afraid as long as we follow Jesus and have faith we will be ok.

"Lost Sheep"

Liz Lemon Swindle

http://www.ldsart.com/p-30892-the-lost-sheep-modern.aspx

In the parable of the lost sheep, a shepherd has an hundred sheep. One of the lambs wanders off and it lost from the fold. Perhaps this lamb was distracted by something that looked interesting. Perhaps he laid down to rest while the rest of the flock moved on. Whatever the reason, this lost sheep became lost and could not find his way back. When the shepherd discovers that the lamb is lost, he immediately goes in search of it. Once found, he places the lamb on his shoulders and brings it home rejoicing.

Jesus explained that He was the Shepherd and that we are the sheep. It would follow that the lambs would be our young men and young woman who are constantly bombarded by messages that call them away from the fold (or church). They live in a world where lying, cheating, drugs, and pornography are accepted as "normal." They are confronted daily by messages and friends that believe wealth and power are the only things that matter. In our high-tech, low-spirituality world it can become easy to stray from the fold. Always intending to catch up later, only to find the darkness closing in and the fold nowhere in sight.

Sometimes when we wander off we mistakenly think the shepherd has forgotten us. We feel alone and scared and believe that there is no way back. The longer we wander in the wilderness the harder it becomes to believe that anyone knows we are missing or that anyone is looking for us. As leaders we are bound by covenant to go to the homes of those who are lost. To pick them up and put them on our shoulders and bring them back to the fold. The shepherd in the parable was not worried about what the sheep might think of him showing up so late. He was only concerned that he find the lost lamb and bring it home.

Liz has touched my heart in so many way's and Im so grateful  for her talent and spirit.  Every time I think of my darkest day's and feeling so alone in the world and remembering those that were there to help guid me home. There have also been a few times in those dark hours were I asked for god's help and pleading for his comfort that I felt his arms around me. Can you imagine the day we return to our father and are able to have him put his arms around us agin.

 This is a video of Liz and the making of "Lost Sheep". It is so touching...

"Why I Believe"

Nicole Sheaham

Pictures by Liz Lemon Swindle

Here is some more amazing pictures by Liz that I love with a beautiful song.