But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
The story behind Unto The City Of David
Months earlier, the Angel Gabriel declared to Mary that she was "highly favoured" and "blessed...among women" (Luke 1:28). He also revealed the mission of her child as He who would "reign over the house of Jacob for ever" (Luke 1:33).
While journeying to Bethlehem for the purpose of rendering unto Caesar that which belonged to Caesar, they found themselves on an errand from the Lord to fulfill the prophecies of all the prophets through all the ages. Joseph had also received an angelic ministration revealing that Jesus was "conceived...of the Holy Ghost" and that "[the child would] save his people from their sins" (see Matthew 1:20-21).
Both Joseph and Mary, being of the appointed lineage in the House of Israel, came that day to Bethlehem to fulfill the significance of the very name that had been given to the city on which they gazed: The House of Bread. As we view the couple just arrived, we stand where all the prophets in all the ages have stood, and our hearts feel the chorus of their witness in Micah 5:2 (See also Matt. 2:6; 2 Nephi 19:1–7; Alma 7:10). In their difficult and trying journey toward the fulfillment of God's promises, a journey required by a worldly obligation and seemingly disconnected from their sacred mission, Mary and Joseph also teach us about devotion and enduring to the end. For in the fulfillment of obligations to Caesar, we too, may be "laying the foundation of a great work," for "out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33). Like Mary and Joseph, from time to time, we receive a strong spiritual witness that the work in which we are engaged is the mind and will of the Lord, but as day-to-day interruptions cloud our vision and clamor to distract us, being true and faithful to Divine covenants enables us to keep our appointment with Deity, through which it pleaseth Him to change the world forever.
Through our obedience and repentance God guides each of us, as surely as He guided Joseph and Mary, to the realization and fulfillment of His purposes in our lives (See D&C 84:46).
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© By Ashton Young, All Rights Reserved. You may not print, copy, or reproduce this artwork or make derivative works from it without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. For permissions, please review our FAQ page.From the Newsroom
By Al R. Young
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We have framed our own artworks for more than 30 years, and during that time we have provided a variety of framing services to patrons upon request. For many reasons—including constant changes in the availability of moulding styles—we cannot offer off-the-shelf framing options or response times typically associated with such a service. Of necessity, all of our framing projects are aproached, priced, and billed as constuling projects... Read more »
Tags: Into The West, Spring Rain, North Country, The Grey Havens, Journey's End, Looking Back, Enchanted Stillness, Bedtime Story, In The High Valley, The Daydream, Before The Ball, Old Shannon, Pavane, Sweet Brier, Legend, Mountain Home, And I...
By Al R. Young Women of the New Testament by Camille Fronk Olson is the companion volume to Women of the Old Testament, published by Deseret Book in 2009.
The New Testament volume features fifty six illustrations from the Artists of Al Young Studios, listed here under the Studios' fine art collections and portfolios to which they belong.
From the Women of the Bible Fine Art CollectionFull-color details (cropped images) from the following 29 paintings appeared in the book (in the order in which they appear here)... Read more »
Tags: I Shall Be Whole, I Say Unto Thee, Arise, The Windows Of Heaven, The Miracle Of Forgiveness, What Is Truth, Under Whose Wings Thou Art Come To Trust, Unto The City Of David, A Damsel Came To Hearken, By The Wayside, Living Water, Waiting...
By Al R. Young Two artworks by the artists of Al Young Studios are featured in the 28th Annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah Exhibition.
Elspeth's painting of Lois, from the New Testament, received an Honorable Mention.
Unto the City of David by Ashton was among the artworks accepted for the annual exhibition hosted by the Springville Museum of Art.
Frames for the artworks were prepared by Al Young Studios.
The two artworks:And He Shall Direct Thy PathsUnto The City Of David... Read more »
Tags: Unto The City Of David, And He Shall Direct Thy Paths, 2013, Exhibits, News
By Al R. Young This blank-book journal sells for $32 (plus shipping) direct from Al Young Studios. Printed in full color on heavy paper, the book is bound with black plastic spiral to rest flat when open.
Inspirations features 163 artworks along with 53 commentaries—written by the Artists of Al Young Studios especially for this journal—on such topics as their creative process, the creative environment of the Studios, technical approaches to their artwork, and inspiration from the works of other artists... Read more »
Tags: Untitled, In the Clearing, Anne Girl, Spring Rain, Journey's End, Enchanted Stillness, Bedtime Story, In The High Valley, Mountain Home, And I Will Not Deny The Christ, Sara Crewe, And My Soul Hungered, 3.00.0246.010, The Road To Melek, We...
By Al R. Young Unto The City Of David is the newest oil painting to be added to the line of original artworks from Al Young Studios.
Click here to see a larger image of the new painting, read the artist's commentary, and look at the selection of prints--if any are available.... Read more »
Tags: Unto The City Of David, 2011, Ashton R. Young, Legacy, News, Oil paintings and prints, The Messiah Art Collection
By Al R. Young December 7th, Al, Ashton, and Elspeth lectured at the Museum of Church History and Art, providing docents with a behind-the-scenes discussion of pieces currently on display in the Christmas exhibit. While they were there, they snapped some pictures of the exhibit in the center gallery.... Read more »
Tags: At The Going Down Of The Sun, Unto The City Of David, According To Thy Word, 2010, Exhibits, News
By Al R. Young The annual Christmas exhibit at the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City includes three paintings by artists at Al Young Studios.
The exhibit, in the Museum's main gallery, is now open to the public (free of charge) and runs through February 2011. Museum hours--Monday through Friday--are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Visit this page of the Museum's web site for its holiday schedule. For information about location and parking, visit this page... Read more »
Tags: At The Going Down Of The Sun, Unto The City Of David, According To Thy Word, 2010, Exhibits, News
By Al R. Young
High-resolution digital copies are available from the Studios for use as illustrations. Use the serial number—appearing below the thumbnail—in requesting permission from the Studios (see links at the bottom of this page for detail).
The correct form of attribution when publishing an image is specified in the license agreement issued to the publisher by Al Young Studios.Guidelines for requests to copy or publish artworks created by the Artists of Al Young Studios
Guidelines for commissioning Al Young Studios to create illustrations
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The original image is available for sale, please contact us for details... Read more »
Tags: Unto The City Of David, 2010, People and Stories of the Bible