Ye Blessed of My Father

This artistic tribute to the Living Christ and to the faithful sons of God in all nations, 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].

In the painting, the Savior's stature signifies the high ground from which He alone lifts the world, using every aspect of that high ground to minister individually to every child of God.  Also, echoing the focus of His ministry, the composition celebrates the importance of each son (or daughter) of the Father as a unique and precious individual.

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 [the Savior] 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 (see 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).

Tags: Ye Blessed of My Father, 2021, Oil paintings and prints, Temple artworks