Artworks for Doctrine & Covenants 94-108
Our artistic exploration of the Doctrine & Covenants continues! Each month, we'll share artworks from our permanent collection or visiting exhibitions that accompany the coming month's Come, Follow Me 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.
September 1-7
What does it mean to be “pure in heart”? D&C section 97 uses this phrase twice: once in connection with the temple and once as a description of Zion. In the beatitudes, Jesus teaches that the pure in heart “will see God,” and D&C 97:16 indicates that this will take place in the house of the Lord.
Perhaps in these instances being pure in heart refers to having charitable desires or being cleansed from sin. Maybe it refers to a complete focus on righteousness or living one’s life with integrity, but neither of these passages tells us directly. What do you think?
September 8-14
Among the many words of comfort revealed to the persecuted saints of Missouri in 1833 was a passage from Psalms: “Be still and know that I am God” (D&C 101:16, see also Psalm 46:10).
This simple phrase is thousands of years old and still had the power to comfort a suffering people, just as it does today. Is there a scripture that you turn to for comfort during difficult times? If so, what is it?
September 15-21
This painting, along with our “Come, Follow Me” selection from last week, is part of C.C.A. Christensen’s “Mormon Panorama,” a 175-foot-long series of banners depicting key events in the lives of the early Saints. This series depicts miracles, persecution, and everything in between, including this depiction of Zion’s Camp.
Imagine you were commissioned to tell the history of the Church through art. Which stories would you include?
September 22-28
This painting of Christ was created by Elisabetta Sirani, a 15th-century Bolognese painter who supported her family with her art until her death at age 27. Her religious works served as sources of inspiration in the private devotional practices of her patrons, including the famed Medici family. Perhaps this serene depiction of the Savior served as a reminder of the principle later taught in Doctrine and Covenants 108:8: “I am with you to bless you and deliver you forever.”
This work is one of many scenes of religious devotion currently on loan to the MOA from the Museo de Ponce. What do you think the role of art is in religious practice?
