“Ye Blessed of My Father”
{ The Messiah }
Painted by Elspeth Young
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When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all nations...Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee[?]...And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
The story behind Ye Blessed of My Father
The painting suggests the Savior's own description of the morning of the resurrection, when the faithful of all nations will be overwhelmed to discover that they are on the right hand of God (see Matthew, 25:31-40).
Christ's arm and hand, kindly outstretched to His African brother, is intended to express, Jehovah's unrelenting refrain: [My] hand is stretched out still [Isaiah 5:25; 9:17, 21] if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts [2 Nephi 28:32]. His mercy endureth forever, and His hand is stretched out still. His is the pure love of Christ, the charity that never faileth, that compassion which endures even when all other strength disappears [see Moroni 7:46–47]. I testify of this reaching, rescuing, merciful Jesus, that this is His redeeming Church based on His redeeming love (Prophets in the Land Again, Ensign Magazine or Liahona, November 2006, pp. 106–7).
Symbolism in Ye Blessed of My Father
The countenance of the African man expresses profound worship mingled with the yearning humility of the meek who shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). His kneeling posture bespeaks reverence at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him and when every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him (Mosiah 27:31). The man's gaze, which meets His loving Master's eyes, echoes the promise of Apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin: As a special witness of Him, I testify to you this day that the time will come when every man, woman, and child will look into the Savior's loving eyes. On that day, we will know with a surety the worth of our decision to straightway follow Him" (Follow Me, April 2002 General Conference).
The sunrise and the light emanating from the Savior's figure suggest the glory of Christ's presence. Both figures are clothed in white to symbolize their purity and to remind viewers of John's description of the resurrection, in which those who have not defiled their garments...shall walk with [Christ] in white: for they are worthy [and] shall be clothed in white raiment, for these are they whose names will be confessed before [the] Father and before his angels (Revelation 3:4).
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By Elspeth C. Young This handmade, original oil painting was created by the artist in the studios at Ben Haven.
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Tags: Ye Blessed of My Father, 2021, Oil paintings and prints, Temple artworks
By Al R. Young Ye Blessed of My Father 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: Ye Blessed of My Father, 2021, Elspeth C. Young, Legacy, News, Oil paintings and prints, The Messiah Art Collection