Our artistic journey through the Old Testament continues! Here you'll find our selected artworks and commentary to accompany this month's

readings. Remember, you can also subscribe to get email reminders when new artworks are ready or follow along weekly on Instagram or Facebook. We hope that art-lovers everywhere will be inspired by these artworks as they complement their gospel study, family discussions, and church classes with fine art from around the world.

To the Israelites, Ruth the Moabitess was seen as an outsider. They had a volatile relationship with the Moabites: sometimes friendly, often hostile. She wasnt raised in their religion or traditions, and her husbands death left her without any wealth or power. Nevertheless, her faith, resilience, and loyalty blessed the nation who took her in, and she became the grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.

How has someone different from you blessed your life?

Despite their righteousness in their youth, Israels first kings all fell victim to their vices, just as the prophet Samuel predicted. Saul succumbed to jealousy, David was overcome by lust, and Solomon slipped into idolatry. The books of Samuel and Kings are largely about the rise and fall of these leaders. Eventually, a perfect king would arrive in Israel, but he brought neither weapons nor warhorses; instead, he carried forgiveness and a message of peace.

Look at this sculpture of the Savior. What attributes make Christ a perfect leader?

Goliath, champion of the Philistines, was six cubits and a span tall, over nine feet. Any average soldier would have been terrified to face him in battle, but a young shepherd boy brought him down with a single stone fetched from a brook. This panel from the Gates of Paradise shows the aftermath of his shocking defeat, as the Israelites rout their invaders on the field of battle. Ghiberti chose to include a stony riverbed in the bottom-left corner, presumably the source of young Davids weapon. Its a reminder of the simplicity of the battles hero, and that miracles can come from mundane and overlooked sources.

King Davids fall from grace started with a simple error. Were told that it was the time when kings go forth to battle, but David, for reasons left unexplained, remained home. It was here, in the wrong place at the wrong time, that his failings escalated from lust to adultery to murder.

This painting shows the interior of Chartres Cathedral, which has served as a spiritual refuge for more than 800 years. Though Gods influence can be found everywhere, being finding our own place of spiritual refuge can give us power and protection. What makes a place holy for you?

Our artistic journey through the Old Testament continues! Here you'll find our selected artworks and commentary to accompany this month's

readings. Remember, you can also subscribe to get email reminders when new artworks are ready or follow along weekly on Instagram or Facebook. We hope that art-lovers everywhere will be inspired by these artworks as they complement their gospel study, family discussions, and church classes with fine art from around the world.

Once the Israelites entered the wilderness, they built a tabernacle to offer sacrifices to the Lord. These sacred offerings prepared the Israelites to be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2). The Lords commandments directed their minds, hearts, and lives to the Messiah, the ultimate exemplar of true holiness.

In Chase Shepherds 'Christ in the Garden', Christ finds a consecrated space, similar to the Israelite Tabernacle, to pray and find solace. Surrounded by sleeping apostles, Christ willingly offers Himself for the salvation of the world. This divine sacrifice provides a path toward exaltation, so each of us can become holy like Him.

Cover up one side of this painting and take note of what you see. If you looked at the left side, you might have noticed thick, sturdy trees, a vibrant reflected sunset, brightly colored leaves, and thriving moss. On the right, the colors are muted, the trees are thinner, their leaves almost gone, and some have come crashing to the earth. This is a scene of both life and death, depending on where you choose to look.

In Numbers 13 and 14, twelve scouts visit the promised land and report on their findings. Ten of the scouts fear the people and cities that they found, causing the people to despair. The other two speak of an exceeding good land... a land which floweth with milk and honey, and remind their fellows that the LORD is with us: fear them not. Because so many could not see the blessings waiting for them, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years instead.

How can we be more mindful of the blessings in our lives?

Towards the end of Moses life and ministry in the wilderness, he was shown a glimpse of what was promised to the Israelites. In his final instructions to the people, Moses urged them to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might (Deuteronomy 6:5).

In F'all and Redemption of Man', humankind, in the form of an Everyman figure, sits between Moses (representing the law) and John the Baptist (representing grace). The laws and rituals of our faith point toward Christs grace, drawing us closer and ensuring redemption.

What reminds you of your covenants and the blessings of your faith?

To reach the Promised Land, Joshua and the Israelites had to cross the River Jordan and pass the wicked city of Jericho. Joshua led his army around the city walls, once a day for a week. On the seventh day, the Israelites brought the Ark of the Covenant, blew seven rams horn trumpets, and circled the city walls seven times until they miraculously collapsed.

In Lorenzo Ghibertis 'Joshua and Jericho' panel from 'the Gates of Paradise', the crumbling walls and trumpeting army parade around the top of the panel the crowning moment ending the Israelites time in the wilderness. To give thanks to the Lord, the Israelites built an altar to offer sacrifices; Ghiberti sculpted the Israelites hunched and heavy under the weight of the stones, emphasizing the labor required to choose the Lord. When we trust the Lord and choose to be on His side, we can receive the same promised blessings fulfilled to Joshua: courage, strength, and eventually exaltation.

Throughout the scriptures, the Israelites repeated a cycle of falling away and returning to the Lord. Each cycle, the Lord promised them a judge and a deliverer that would lead them back to righteousness. As fulfillment of that promise, Jesus Christ is the ultimate judge, deliverer, and Redeemer that welcomes all of Gods children as they return to Him. In Albrecht Drers engraving 'Sol Justitiae' ('The Judge'), Drer blends the symbols of Christ with the symbols of justice. Christ holds the sword to bring swift judgement, and the scales of balance to hold all accountable for their thoughts and deeds. However, instead of the traditional blindfold, the Judge is illuminated by a three-pronged halo, representing His all-knowing watchfulness and connection to the Father and the Holy Ghost. He sits upon a lion, representing Christ's divinity and royalty in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our artistic journey through the Old Testament continues! Here you'll find our selected artworks and commentary to accompany this month's

readings. Remember, you can also subscribe to get email reminders when new artworks are ready or follow along weekly on Instagram or Facebook. We hope that art-lovers everywhere will be inspired by these artworks as they complement their gospel study, family discussions, and church classes with fine art from around the world.

During the Easter season, modern day disciples look back to Christs Atonement and Resurrection while simultaneously contemplating the faith of ancient believers who looked forward to the Savior. Many Old Testament prophets foretold His sufferingyet on the other end of history, our faith is centered on remembering this gift we have already received.

In his contemporary depiction of the Resurrected Christ, David Habben uses commonplace materials and simple forms to show how the Atonement of Jesus Christ is accessible to all. As He rises victorious over death, enrobed in white and crowned with a radiant halo, the Savior reminds us that He is the light of life (John 8:12).

How can you share the Light of Christ as you meditate upon His suffering, death and Resurrection this Easter?

This etching shows Moses (arrayed in light) and Aaron (wearing priestly robes) as they petition the Pharaoh to liberate the Jewish people. Although we are not faced with the same plagues as the Egyptians, we too may have times when following God seems hard to do. In such circumstances, divine intervention can help us to know that there is none like unto the Lord our God. (Exodus 8:10)

The Jewish artist Marc Chagall, born Moishe (Moses) Shagal, may have related to this. He lived through two world wars, fled his homeland, lived as a refugee, and lost loved ones as a result of European antisemitic regimes. Even as he lived through these trials, he held strong to his hope, seen in the light of Gods promised deliverance that envelops Moses. Despite all the troubles of our world, I have never abandoned in my heart the love in which I was brought up, or the hope of man in love. In life, as on the artist's palette, there is only one color that gives meaning to life and art: the color of love." - Marc Chagall (1887-1985)

Throughout their exodus in the wilderness, the Israelites faced trials and hardships of every kind, yet they were constantly delivered by God. Even when they complained and doubted, Moses knew that the Lord is greater than all gods" (Exodus 18:11) and continually stood as an example of faithful determination for his people. His efforts to lead the Israelites according to Gods will can inspire us to raise the banner of faith in our own lives.

This is sometimes easier said than done. Colby Sanfords anonymous saint depicted here illustrates the difficulty that we may encounter during our own mortal journeys. Though we may feel the weight of the banner while trying to live our faith in a difficult world, the halo encircling his head is a reminder that God is with him, and each of us.

How has God empowered you to bear the weight of His banner?

In the top right corner of this panel from Ghibertis

, Moses receives the Ten Commandments from God and a host of angels, while the Israelites crowd the base of Mount Sinai. Some rejoice, some cower in fear, and others pay no attention to the miracles happening around them. Although the same commandments are given to all in this group, their reactions and obedience vary.

Because of His love for all of us, Gods commandments are for each of His children, with blessings available as we choose to be obedient. The Lord has promised that we will be a peculiar treasure (Exodus 19:5). If we are covenant keepers, He allows us every opportunity to repent when we need through His Son, Jesus Christ.

How does Jesus Christ help you keep the commandments?

Our artistic journey through the Old Testament continues. Below, you'll find our selected artworks and commentary to accompany this month's

readings. Remember, you can also subscribe to get email reminders when new artworks are ready or follow along weekly on Instagram or Facebook. We hope that art-lovers everywhere will be inspired by these artworks as they complement their gospel study, family discussions, and church classes with fine art from around the world.

Abraham and Isaac are often written about, spoken of, and depicted together. Their close bond as father and sonand the posterity it promisesis what makes the sacrificial commandment so daunting, and perhaps a little confusing. In this sculpture, the artist Randolph Rogers isolates Isaacs experience, omitting Abraham altogether. Full of pathos, Isaac kneels bravely alone, his serene expression belying the terror of his situation. Though his hands are bound, his legs remain unrestrained, suggesting he could flee but stays as a consenting offering. Upon the altar that in moments could be his final resting place, he looks upboth willing and willful. It is perhaps the arrival of the angel the sculptor signals in Isaacs upward, confident gaze.

Our closest, most intimate relationships are important to the Lord. At the end of his life, Abraham became concerned with finding the right companion for his son. Eliezer, Abrahams faithful servant, was tasked with the difficult responsibility of finding a suitable wife for Isaac.

To accomplish this, Eliezer turned to the Lord for help and presented a plan. He made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water (Genesis 24:11). He proposed that the young woman who would offer to give water to both him and his camels would be the one chosen by the Lord to be the wife of Isaac. Considering a camels water capacity of eight to fifteen gallons, Rebekahs kind consideration of a weary traveler and his ten camels was a testimony of her character.

How have you been blessed by the patient service of family and community members?

Given to Joseph as a gift from his father Jacob, the coat of many colors symbolized many things. For Jacob, it was a generous gift, crafted with the finest materials. For Joseph it was a physical manifestation of his fathers favor and a priestly emblem of his gift of dreams. For his brothers, however, it was a painful reminder of Josephs chosen status, disrupted family dynamics, and a lack of equal affection. Stripped from Joseph after his brothers sold him into slavery, the blood-stained coat was also used to convince Jacob of his death.

It is hard to believe that there could be a happy ending for this family, but as scripture recordsafter many ups and downsthere comes a day when all of the brothers are reunited and past harms are healed. Although the coat is never mentioned again, this print by John Whitesell reminds us that no dream, relationship, or person is beyond repair.

What does the work of repair look like for you in your own family or community?

In the Old Testament, we see not only Divinity but humanity on full display. This panel from a gilded replica of Lorenzo Ghibertis

on view at the BYU Museum of Art, collapses key moments from the story of Joseph into one cohesive plane. As the eye wanders, we see:

Although 22 years had passed between the first and last of the events depicted, the positive and negative interactions of this family contributed to a greater whole and lead to the ultimate salvation of the entire household during famine. During their reconciliation, Josephs derives his capacity to forgive from his belief in the Lords ability to consecrate all of his experiences: God meant it unto good (Genesis 50:20).

How have your own life experiences been consecrated for your good?

As a wagon train moves slowly and boys on horseback guide a herd of cattle, women and children pause at a stream to cool off and wash the dust of the trail from their faces. Fascinated by the pioneers exodus, Minerva Teichert painted many scenes celebrating the lives of early Latter-day Saint settlers in search of their own promised land. Her use of bold brushstrokes and bright colors lend a lighthearted feeling to an otherwise harrowing journey. Despite the hardships and heavy burdens of both Old Testament and modern-day people searching for home, we too can draw upon their examples of faith and trust in the Lords promise: I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under [your] burdens (Exodus 6:7).

In February, an amazing new artwork debuts at the MOA featuring 10 stories from the Old Testament! We're thrilled to include scenes from the Gates of Paradise in this year's

series, starting this month. Remember, you can also subscribe to get email reminders when new artworks are ready or follow along weekly on Instagram or Facebook. We hope that art-lovers everywhere will be inspired by these artworks as they complement their gospel study, family discussions, and church classes with fine art from around the world.

In Rose Hartwells painting pictured above, a mother tenderly rocks her baby. What might the mother be thinking about? What her baby will be like when she grows up? How to best love her child? All she will eventually need to teach her little one? Perhaps this and more. After instructing Adam, the Lord said, Therefore I give unto you acommandment, toteachthese things freely unto yourchildren (Moses 6:58). What does it mean to teach freely?

In C.C.A. Christensens 'Pioneers Crossing the Plains of Nebraska,' the early saints are shown on their path to Zion. For them, Zion was a specific place, as it was for Enoch. However, a place doesnt become Zion because it is located at specific geographic coordinates; rather, Zion becomes such when we are of one heart and one mind, and [dwell] in righteousness; and there [are] no poor among [us] (Moses 7:18).

When Noah and his family exited the ark, they offered sacrifices and, as the JST adds, gave thanks (JST, Genesis 9:4). Genesis 8:20 informs us that they sacrificed every clean beast and every clean fowl, but in his panel pictured above, Lorenzo Ghiberti specifically depicts Noahs family offering up a ram (see bottom right corner). This is the same animal Abraham sacrificed in the place of Isaac, a story that echoes the sacrifice Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ each made. We do not offer animal sacrifices today, but we will all be asked to sacrifice for the Lord. As you sacrifice for the Lord, do you, too, give thanks?

See this artwork on view at the MOA starting on Friday, February 20, 2026!

Melchizedek was a man of remarkable faith: even as a child he stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire (JST, Genesis 14:26). Throughout the scriptures, we read about similarly grand manifestations of faith, but it doesnt always have to be so dramatic. President Nelson reminded us that it takes faith to join the Church, to follow prophets, and even more faith to accept a disappointing answer. In Max Thalmanns print Three Figures with Halos, worshippers demonstrate their everyday faith in a cathedral space. How do you demonstrate your faith in everyday ways?

We are thrilled to study the Old Testament with you this year! To help visualize the stories, themes, and lessons of this remarkable book, we're sharing artworks from our permanent collection and visiting exhibitions to accompany each week's

readings. You can also subscribe to get email reminders when new artworks are ready or follow along weekly on Instagram or Facebook. We hope that art-lovers everywhere will be inspired by these artworks as they complement their gospel study, family discussions, and church classes with fine art from around the world.

Look at these pages from the Old Testament. Does your copy look like this? What do these designs suggest about the owner? How do you think she felt about the words she marked?

This Bible belonged to Veda Epling, a woman who, while experiencing homelessness, turned to reading and highlighting copies of the Bible with extraordinary patterns. Each color had its own significance, and each page became a work of art. When artist Harrell Fletcher discovered her work, he helped her get photos of her Bibles in galleries and eventually facilitated the acquisition of these photos by the MOA. She spent none of the money she earned from her designs on herself. Instead, she decided to help her daughter buy a car. She not only loved the Bible; she fully embraced the lessons it taught her.

This year, Latter-day Saints around the world will be studying the Old Testament, a work of scripture many find daunting. But if we read these words like Veda did, with hearts, minds, and eyes open to the beauty in the pages, theres no limit to the wonders we will find.

Every month, well be sharing an artwork either from our collection or a visiting exhibition to accompany that weeks reading from the

program. We hope these artworks will help our followers feel the magnificence of these texts, and we invite you to use these images in any way you find helpful as you explore this first testament of Jesus Christ.

When was the last time you felt alone? It probably isnt an enjoyable memory. The prophet Moses was once "left unto himself (Moses 1:9) and experienced a harrowing encounter with Satan. Moses remained steadfast in his trust in God, who rewarded him with the promise "I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days (Moses 1:26).

This J. Kirk Richards painting depicts a child wrapped in the arms of an angel soaring upward. The lower parts of the work are covered not only with dark paint, but literal dirt. Meanwhile, the pair ascends to the light above. Its a reminder that none of us are ever truly alone. The Lord has promised that he "will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up (D&C 84:88).

"In the beginning is a phrase familiar to everyone whos ever started the Old Testament (which, lets be honest, is a lot more of us than have ever finished it). The words carry a sense of wonder and their own gravitas. Like Once upon a time, they invite us to take part in a story. Creation, sin, and salvation are all about to unfold.

This painting may not seem like it has much to do with the Book of Genesis. Theres no basketball in the Bible, but the artist, Ernie Barnes, chose to give this painting the title In the Beginning.

Look closely at the painting, its subject, the details. Why do you think the artist chose this title?

The serpent coils his way around the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, his mouth open, as if to strike. This is the being that rebelled against [God], and sought to destroy the agency of man (Moses 4:3). In anticipation of this, the Lord gave Adam and Eve an opportunity to use the very agency that the serpent sought to destroy. He told them that thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee (Moses 3:17). He knew that they (and we) would make mistakes, but that, over time and with the help of the Savior, we could use those decisions to learn, grow, and return to Him.

What is a blessing youve received after a difficult decision?