I went to the Bowerbird Bazaar.

This is where I went last weekend.
To the Adelaide show grounds on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

The Bowerbird Bazaar is a wonder market for up-and-coming designers, artists, and craftspeople.  Those clever crafty people.
Here are some examples:

 

UDDER is a wicked collection of handmade soft toys, complete with bandit outfits, and children's clothing.  The woman behind Udder - Fliss Dodd - was lovely to indulge a fan.  We chatted a little about a common acquaintance and his photography workshops, and about her products.

   

One hectare has a great range of greeting cards and prints.  Seriously, these babies looked great presented in wide white frames.  Mmm, I like frames.

Paper Boat Press

Tinker, by Printink

This store made me actually LOL.  You know, laugh out loud.

This painter clearly had a healthy obsession with rabbits.

The highlight for me was picking up some goodies for the bare walls at home.  I can finally use some of the frames I have been storing (hoarding?) for months and months.

From Printspace.  

We have such great artists and designers here in Australia.

Book of Mormon painting eight.

Smack bang in the middle of the Book of Mormon, there are a lot of wars.  I wrote about that here, and how the Book of Mormon was literally written for our day because we learn how earlier disciples of Christ lived with war.

In and around Alma 43 - 46, the Nephite nation was put in jeopardy because of wars, dissension, and much contention – not just from the Lamanites, but from themselves.  Dangerous.

Some were just too eager for power.

The solution (for us too) was to exercise faith in Jesus Christ, and follow His prophets and other righteous leaders – like their military leader at the time, Captain Moroni.  Mormon wrote: “If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.” (Alma 48:17).
Right there is a fine role model.  We too can remain “firm in the faith of Christ” in trying times (Alma 48:13).

Captain Moroni came up with brilliant strategies to defend the Nephite people.  And what I love most is that he started fortifying the people and their cities well in advance, as well as seeking the counsel of the prophet, while there was no threat upon them.

Talk about good judgment, as well as obedience to God’s counsel.

And what a contrast to the intentions and tactics of Amalickaih, the wicked man stirring up trouble at the time.  Actually, Mormon plainly lists the striking differences between the two for us – see Alma 48 and 49.

Arnold Friberg’s next painting in his series on the Book of Mormon is of Captain Moroni, after rallying others in a righteous cause, physically displaying his cause.

To do so, he rips his clothing - which was a symbol of making a covenant - and writes on it, making a huge banner for all to see.  He writes:  In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.

Moroni then fastened the 'title of liberty' to a pole, and placed it high for all to see in every tower.
[Alma 46:12–15, 36]

Captain Moroni Raises the Title of Liberty

Arnold Friberg

Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, … rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole. …

(And he called it the title of liberty) and he … prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren. (Alma 46:11–13)

Friberg:
“We are reading the thought itself that Captain Moroni expressed on his banner. Now I am supposed to picture how he wrote it. He didn’t write it in English. English was not yet invented. He wrote it in Hebrew. Mormon said he was engraving the plates in Reformed Egyptian because it takes less space. But if Moroni could write it in Hebrew it would be a lot clearer. . . . So I went to the Rabbi here [in Salt Lake City] and asked him to write the message in what would have been the common characters Lehi brought with him. It didn’t look anything like present- day Jewish script [second line of the Hebrew text below]. That squarish letter we now know as Jewish came in closer to the time of Christ. [The first line of the Hebrew text below is more ancient and more correct], so I put it on the flag even though there were those who insisted that I letter it in English.”

(Hebrew writing reads from right to left)   [1]

Sometimes we must stand, as Moroni’s people did, in defence of what we hold dear.  Our liberty, our lands, our families, our peace.

“There are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defence of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty (see Alma 48:10).” [2]

There are times when, in remembering our “civic responsibility that ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’ (Edmund Burke). . . . Do something meaningful in defence of your God-given freedom and liberty”. [3]

We read that Captain Moroni caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land … and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites. (Alma 46:36)

“This is our need today—to plant the standard of liberty among our people throughout [our country].  “While this incident occurred some seventy years B.C., the struggle went on through one thousand years covered by this sacred Book of Mormon record. In fact, the struggle for liberty is a continuing one—it is with us in a very real sense today.” [4]

If you wish to order a free copy, let me know or click here.
Feel free to read or listen to it here.

[1] as quoted in Vern Swanson, ‘The Book of Mormon Art of Arnold Friberg, “Painter of Scripture”, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies: Vol 10, 1, 26-35, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, 2011
[2] Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 2001, 72
[3] Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1988, 51
[4] Conference Report, Oct. 1962, 14–15

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Behind the scenes of the widow's mite.

I've almost finished a book.  It is really good. 

It's such a great read, that I don't want it to end .. so I've stopped reading it.

Please tell me you do that too, sometimes.  Or just one time.

I guess it will have to be done.  But I will re-live it, and review it for y'all.

In the meantime, watch this.

I was almost brough to tears, seeing the beautifully honest expressions on the widow's face, as she donated her last mites.

You can read more experiences during the filming here.

The Sistine Chapel.

If you are a lover of art, an appreciator of talent, or just in need of some wonderful time-out from your day, check this out.

Prepare to be amazed.

Book of Mormon painting seven.

... I'm back!! ... from an interstate funeral, being sick (still am), and being stranded due to the unprecedented Qantas debarkle. 


“From the Book of Mormon we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war.” [1]

Ask anyone who has read or studied the Book of Mormon – it is filled with stories of war time.  And you know what?  These accounts were included for a purpose.  Yup.

They teach us about the need to preserve freedom in order to maintain religious rights.  They teach us when there is moral justification for war.  They teach us the damage that traitors can inflict.  And they teach us spiritual strategies to combat evil, while relying on God’s power to intervene.

Take the example of ‘the Stripling Warriors’.


The people are at war.  And we learn that there is very much a difference when fighting for/with the Lord, and not.

At one point, the Nephites needed to fight to protect their homes and families, but they had taken an oath years before to never fight again.  Should they break that covenant with God?  Or have the faith that God will provide another way?

We read that their sons, who had not entered into such a covenant, were able to fight.  All two thousand of them.  They decided they would defend their country.  Helaman became their captain.

So these stripling warriors went to battle in place of their fathers.  They were young men of righteousness. They were committed to defending their country (see Alma 56:5).  They were fearless in the face of death and courageous in battle (see Alma 56:45–49, 56).

Helaman’s “stripling sons” fought with miraculous power.  And God rewarded their faith with amazing strength and protection.  Not one of them died in battle (see Alma 57:25–26).

Of course this is not always the case - sometimes the righteous “die in the Lord” (D&C 63:49).  But in the case of these young men, divine protection was given that preserved their mortal lives in battle.

They exemplified the type of manhood that all of God’s sons should emulate and stood as a witness to the Nephite nation that God would deliver them if they were faithful.

Helaman Leads an Army of 2,000 Ammonite Youths

Arnold Friberg

And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage. …

Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.

And … Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people. (Alma 53:20–22)

What examples to our children!

The artist, Arnold Friberg, said: “They call them striplings— some say, ‘the Boy Scout army.’ No! No! They were young men. They were like David. They talk about David going out and taking on Goliath. They said, ‘He is a man of war and you are just a youth.’ That doesn’t mean that he was a little eight- year- old. In his statue of David, Michelangelo captures a splendid young man, athletic, maybe not as mature as men of war, but still a boy compared to them. That is the way I figure these youths were.

“I put Helaman on a horse. . . . Of course the Book [of Mormon] does not say that Helaman rode a horse, but in [certain] other places it mentions them. Ammon was out taking care of the king’s horses [at one point].”

The Book of Mormon states that these young men were true at all times. (Alma 53:20-21)  What does it mean to be true at all times?  The very word TRUE “implies commitment, integrity, endurance, and courage” [2].  Are we being true to the faith?  True to the faith that our parents have cherished, True to the faith for which martyrs have perished. (Hymn #254)

We are also told that they were firm and undaunted. (Alma 57:19–21)  Such powerful words.  Our former prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, discussed the importance of staying firm and undaunted with the youth: “‘You reflect this Church in all you think, in all you say, and in all you do. Be loyal to the Church and kingdom of God.’ . . . [You are] out there as the sons of Helaman in a world that is full of destructive influences. . . . But if you put your trust in the Almighty and follow the teachings of this Church and cling to it notwithstanding your wounds, you will be preserved and blessed and magnified and made happy.’

And we are in a world that is full of destructive influences. We are literally “in the midst of Babylon. The adversary comes with great destruction.” So what can we learn from these true and faithful warriors? “Stand above it, you of the noble birthright. Stand above it.” [3]

One really interesting detail the Book of Mormon tells us about these YOUTH and FAITHFUL men is that they did not doubt their mothers, and they paid tribute to that fact. (Alma 53:45-48)  Their mothers had strong testimonies of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, meaning their children were well taught and were surrounded by strong examples.  That’s motherhood in a nutshell, right there.  Note, however, that although the boys’ reliance on their mothers is “touching and profound, but the mothers first had to know ‘it’ in such a way that the young men, observing them closely and hearing them (as is always the case with children observing parents), did ‘not doubt’ that their mothers knew that ‘it’ was true.” [4]

Sister Julie B. Beck, our Relief Society president, described covenant women who know who they are:  “The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. . . . When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.” [5]

The leaders of my church, back in 1942, gave counsel to those in military service – but it applies to all, as we all need to be good examples while defending the faith.  They said:

“To our young men who go into service, no matter whom they serve or where, we say live clean, keep the commandments of the Lord, pray to Him constantly to preserve you in truth and righteousness, live as you pray, and then whatever betides you the Lord will be with you and nothing will happen to you that will not be to the honor and glory of God and to your salvation and exaltation. There will come into your hearts from the living of the pure life you pray for, a joy that will pass your powers of expression or understanding. The Lord will be always near you; He will comfort you; you will feel His presence in the hour of your greatest tribulation; He will guard and protect you to the full extent that accords with His all-wise purpose. Then, when the conflict is over and you return to your homes, having lived the righteous life, how great will be your happiness—whether you be of the victors or of the vanquished—that you have lived as the Lord commanded. You will return so disciplined in righteousness that thereafter all Satan’s wiles and stratagems will leave you untouched. Your faith and testimony will be strong beyond breaking. You will be looked up to and revered as having passed through the fiery furnace of trial and temptation and come forth unharmed. Your brethren will look to you for counsel, support, and guidance. You will be the anchors to which thereafter the youth of Zion will moor their faith in man.” [6]

If you wish to order a free copy, let me know or click here.
Feel free to read or listen to it here.

[1] Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7
[2] Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 73; italics added
[3] “Prophet Grateful for Gospel, Testimony,” Church News, Sept. 21, 1996, 4
[4] Neal A. Maxwell, That My Family Should Partake [1974], 58–59
[5] Ensign, Nov. 2007, 76
[6] Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1942, 96

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The Book of Mormon + Lego = awesomeness.

I've mentioned before how I like blocks.  Including Lego.
It is good stuff.

Well, some other dude decided to build scenes from the Book of Mormon using lego. 
How seriously cool is that?!

Here is the prophet Mormon, abridging the records of his people.
He has a chisel.  And a nice looking helmet. 
We'll see a painting about him later ...

 

Here is the prophet Lehi, the one who starts the Book of Mormon record by obey God and taking his family out of Jerusalem (read that here and then here). 

Here, he is in a vision he had about the Tree of Life. 
You can read about that here.

 

We haven't talked about this man yet - Enos. 
But we will. 
He will answer our questions about prayer, because as you see him here, he is praying. 
He did so all day and all night ...

This is a classic. 
The story of Ammon, the great missionary, who one day chopped some bad people's arms off. 
We'll get to that story when we review another painting soon ...

Read an interview with the lego dude here.





If you wish to order a free copy, let me know or click here.
Feel free to read or listen to it here.

Book of Mormon painting four.

This story is way cool.

The first book in the Book of Mormon details the journeys of Lehi and his family around 600BC.  You can read about them here.  Nephi is an obedient son, who follows God and understands that through God their family is blessed and led to safety.

Chapter 17 of Nephi’s account begins with the young Nephi reminding us readers that God is mindful of his children, and that when we keep His commandments, we will be blessed.  He gives us a powerful and candid illustration: sure they were suffering in the hot wilderness, with not much food, with their women bearing children in the middle of nowhere – um, wow – but there are blessings or tender mercies to be thankful for everywhere.  They had raw meat to eat, meat that was sweetened and acceptable for their bodies; their women were healthy and able to birth and rear their children well.  It was possible and bearable, through the Lord.

And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us … and thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the things which he has commanded them … (1 Nephi 17:2-3)

And they were blessed.  Eight years later, they came to a land with much fruit and honey.  They called the land ‘Bountiful’.  They were continually watched over and blessed.

When they reached the sea, the Lord commanded Nephi to build a ship.  The verses that detail how the Lord spoke to Nephi are beautiful, and filled with a lot of meaning.  You should check that out, and keep an eye open for references of speaking to the Lord on high mountains and cross-referencing them with the Old Testament.

Nephi is instructed how to do it, given the comfort that the Lord will help him – and so he trustingly obeys.

His older brothers – the serial murmurs Laman and Lemuel – think Nephi is a nutcase.  They think he is a fool for thinking he can build a ship and then cross an ocean.  (Sound familiar, oh ye of little faith?)  They didn’t help Nephi or even look into the idea – just complained and mocked, and enjoyed the times Nephi found the task hard.  They forgot about all their blessings and all of the happiness their family has had over the past years of travel.

It’s interesting to consider – who would we be.  A Nephi or a Laman?  Remember, they did have it tough.
Or, if we were in Nephi’s shoes – how would we have reacted to our brothers?

Nephi powerfully reminds them who they are, and just how much the Lord has blessed them, their children, their extended families, and their forefathers.  He recounts a mini history of God’s dealings with Israel, from the time God led Moses and the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  Both the Book of Mormon and the Bible are filled with historical accounts of God’s dealings with His children – we must not forget these!  In order for us to be grateful and appreciate what WE have, just look back over time (your childhood, your parent’s lives, your family history) and we can SEE that God has truly blessed us from the beginning.  He truly is a loving Father in Heaven.

He pleads with them, in anguish.

Well, that did it.  The older brothers get really really angry with their brother.  Nephi writes: they were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea.  Yeah, they were mad.

Annnnnnnnnd … boom!  Nephi is filled with the power of God, and those nasty brothers are forbidden to even touch him ... lest they wither as a dried reed.

Young Nephi Subdues His Rebellious Brothers

[My brethren] were angry with me, and were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea; and as they came forth to lay their hands upon me I spake unto them, saying: In the name of the Almighty God, I command you that ye touch me not, for I am filled with the power of God … ; and whoso shall lay his hands upon me shall wither even as a dried reed; … for God shall smite him. (1 Nephi 17:48)

About painting Nephi, Friberg said: “I tried to show a fine, strong young man. Nephi himself records that he was large of stature. And, of course, this shows his forge. It [was] a big enough job to undertake to build a ship, but he had to start before that. He didn’t’ even have any tools. He had to melt the ore out of the mountain and then fashion a crude forge, even to make the tools. Talk about starting from scratch!” [1]

I have often asked: why the heck were Laman and Lemuel the way they were, after all they experienced??  Hello!!  Even after seeing any angel [1 Nephi 2:16], why couldn’t they receive a spiritual confirmation of their journey like younger brother Nephi had?

In previous chapters of Nephi’s account, Nephi records that he is continually reminding his brothers to REMEMBER.  How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? … Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said? (1 Nephi 15:10-11)

Let’s look at 1 Nephi 17:45.  Nephi identifies their problem – they were slow to remember the Lord, and all that He has done for them; and they were past feeling that they could not hear any spiritual communication.

I’m pretty sure that ticked them off – not only is your younger brother telling you off, but he hits the nail right on the head.

We have been taught that spiritual communication is from “The Holy Ghost [who] speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. It is described as a ‘still small voice’ [Doctrine and Covenants 85:6]. And while we speak of ‘listening’ to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, ‘I had a feeling. . . .’

President Boyd K. Packer stated: “Revelation comes as words we feel more than hear.”  What a brilliant definition of spiritual communication.  Read it again:  “Revelation comes as words we feel more than hear. [Knowing that,] Nephi told his wayward brothers, who were visited by an angel, ‘Ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words.’ ” [2]

Nephi also identifies the cause of their spiritual insensitivity as being “swift to do iniquity”. Interesting … what does that mean?

Well read this; I thought this was interesting:

President James E. Faust compared a person’s worthiness of receiving the Spirit to receiving a signal on a cell phone:

“Cellular phones are used for much of the communication in our time. Occasionally, however, we find dead spots where the signal coming to a cell phone fails. This can happen when the cell phone user is in a tunnel or a canyon or when there is other interference.

“So it is with divine communication. The still, small voice, though still and small, is very powerful. It ‘whispereth through and pierceth all things’ [D&C 85:6]. . . . Perhaps something in our lives prevents us from hearing the message because we are ‘past feeling’ [1 Nephi 17:45]. We often put ourselves in spiritual dead spots—places and situations that block out divine messages. Some of these dead spots include anger, pornography, transgression, selfishness, and other situations that offend the Spirit” [3]

I’ve always been intrigued – and almost jealous? – of the relationship Nephi had with the Holy Ghost.  We are taught that we can receive revelation, peace, warning etc. from the Holy Ghost, but without a body and much more information on him, I think it is easy to forget just how REAL the Holy Ghost is – as a very-much present personage in our lives.  The Holy Ghost is much more than a whisper, a feeling, an idea … he is a member of the Godhead, and is thus a somebody!  Check out chapter 11 of 1 Nephi – Nephi is having a full-on conversation with the Holy Ghost!  Nephi can tell his own voice apart from the Holy Ghosts’, and he can enjoy the sweetness of spiritual communication.

To me, that is the ideal.  The Book of Mormon opens with this ideal – a great man, who suffered much, who overcame much, and who sincerely loved being obedient.  It’s the high end of the spectrum.  The other end, I guess, would be the ‘Laman and Lemuels’ of the world (poor guys), who were “past feeling” and could not “feel” the words of the Holy Ghost.  What a loss for them.

Where are you on that spectrum?  How is your sensitivity to spiritual communication?

The Book of Mormon gives us an ideal to live up to; and while Nephi and Laman/Lemuel may be extreme cases, spiritual insensitivity isn’t just a problem for those with serious sin.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin explained:

“I fear that some members of the Lord’s Church ‘live far beneath our privileges’ with regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost. Some are distracted by the things of the world that block out the influence of the Holy Ghost, preventing them from recognizing spiritual promptings. This is a noisy and busy world that we live in. Remember that being busy is not necessarily being spiritual. If we are not careful, the things of this world can crowd out the things of the Spirit.

“Some are spiritually deadened and past feeling because of their choices to commit sin. Others simply hover in spiritual complacency with no desire to rise above themselves and commune with the Infinite. If they would open their hearts to the refining influence of this unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a glorious new spiritual dimension would come to light. Their eyes would gaze upon a vista scarcely imaginable. They could know for themselves things of the Spirit that are choice, precious, and capable of enlarging the soul, expanding the mind, and filling the heart with inexpressible joy” [4]

 

If you wish to order a free copy, let me know or click here.
Feel free to read or listen to it here.

[1] Vern Swanson, ‘The Book of Mormon Art of Arnold Friberg, “Painter of Scripture”, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies: Vol 10, 1, 26-35, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, 2011
[2] Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 60
[3] James E. Faust, Ensign, May 2004, 67
[4] Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 2003, 27

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Book of Mormon painting three.

Around 160-150 BC, there was a terribly wicked king.

King Noah ruled in wickedness, surrounding himself with women, wealth, and (I venture to say) smut.  Pretty sure that’s the way of it.  He taxed his people one fifth of all they possessed.  He “put down” all the good priests his father had consecrated and chose prideful Noah-loving lazy priests instead.  It was pretty bad.

Noah was so wicked, that later in 92 BC, King Mosiah used Noah as the primary reason for the people to eliminate a government of kings.  He said:  How much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction! Yea, remember king Noah.  (Mosiah 29:17-18)

And so, God rose up a prophet to cry repentance – a standard practice of God.  The prophet’s named was Abinadi.  He cried to the people to repent from their ways, but more importantly for the King to repent from his unpleasant ways.  And he prophesied that the people would be taken into bondage.  Oh, and that King Noah would die even as a garment in a hot furnace.  Good, to-the-point messages.

As you can imagine, King Noah wasn’t thrilled with the message Abinadi was shouting about, and wanted him gone.  Abinadi is eventually imprisoned for his prophesies, and he sees just how bad the false priests really are.  While in prison, he tries to teach them about the Ten Commandments, and how to really keep the Law of Moses.

Again, King Noah isn’t too pleased with Abinadi.  He wants him dead.  Away with this fellow, and slay him … (totally reminds me of the Queen of Hearts here)

And you know what Abinadi said to him?

Abinadi Delivers His Message to King Noah

Arnold Friberg

[Abinadi] said unto them: “Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me. …

After Abinadi had spoken these words … the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster. (Mosiah 13:2–3, 5)


Boo yah!  Take that, you slimy king!

Abinadi had such a powerful message.  The guards couldn't touch him.  And I’m not talking about the call to repentance or the prophesy of their destruction as a consequence from turning away from God.  Abinadi taught quite profoundly about the Saviour’s divinity and the great sacrifice this Saviour would make.  He also taught about the unity between this Saviour and the Father.  What a privilege to know of this great, fearless prophet, and to read of his words regarding the Saviour, Jesus Christ.  By reading the account in the Book of Mormon, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the Saviour and His Atonement for us.

What courage he had.  This painting clearly captures that courage – look at what this old faithful man is facing: a powerful corrupt leader, a court of wealthy, proud priests, all that luxury … and those friendly looking jaguars.

On the composition of the scene, Friberg said he did “the opposite of the well- known principle in art, the ‘principle of the Jewel.’ ...It is like a jewel setting - the central figure is the most interesting part.  You use the strongest color and the strongest and most vibrant contrast around the center of interest, and then it goes into surrounding neutrals.  I reversed it here for the purposes of this picture.  Against the simplicity of Abinadi in his grey prison garb was the opulence of the court.  The richness of the colors set off this simple, humble man.

“And the jaguars - I spent days studying them at the zoo.  There were several reasons for putting them in.  One thing, it gives a royal touch to have the animals chained to the throne.  They are not leopards; they are jaguars, which are more compact animals than leopards.  Jaguars are found only in Central and South America, so they sort of help define the geographical setting.  Animals are very sensitive to supernatural power. ...The jaguars are snarling because they sense the awesome power that is surrounding Abinadi.

“Then there are the priests of King Noah.  I had somewhat in mind the man back here at the right might be young Alma.  He was mightily impressed by the courageous testimony of Abinadi, so much so that he became a prophet.” [1]

Out of the entire set, this painting is Arnold Friberg’s favourite, perhaps because the figure of Abinadi held a special meaning for Friberg.

Friberg’s family was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1921, while living in Arizona, through the missionary efforts of a Brother Altop.  Friberg was seven years old.  He was baptized the next year, and remembers fondly the missionary teaching his family received from Brother Altop.

While Friberg worked on this very painting, Brother Altop visited him in Salt Lake City.  He was lean and muscular from years of working as a carpenter, so the revered friend was immediately put to work posing as Abinadi. [2]

Continuing our read in the Book of Mormon, we find out Abinadi’s fate.  He was put to death by fire.  He continued to show great courage, even in death.  We also read of the fate of King Noah and his people – read on here, here and then here – and how one of Noah’s priests did listen.  See the man Friberg was talking about off to the right, looking like he is actually listening and considering the message of the prophet?

Abinadi’s testimony led to the conversion of a future prophet-leader, Alma.

As a missionary, I found great solace in this account.  Abinadi was essentially a missionary who did not see any fruits of his labour.  He obeyed God, he preached and prophesied, he taught and tried his hardest – but he saw none of the results.  It can be hard, as a missionary, or even as a follower of Christ, to see the results of our efforts or example.

But consider the influence that this one righteous man had on future generations.  The next several generations of prophets, who prepared the people for the coming of Jesus Christ, came through his one known convert, Alma.

Perhaps we can profoundly affect our family and friends by testifying of truth and by living righteously – even when we don’t see the results.


What a great hero for your family to have.




If you wish to order a free copy, let me know or click here.
Feel free to read or listen to it here.

[1] Vern Swanson, ‘The Book of Mormon Art of Arnold Friberg, “Painter of Scripture”, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies: Vol 10, 1, 26-35, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, 2011
[2] Ibid

[Image found at http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category3_715839595_10557_21096_-1___0]

Book of Mormon painting two.

The Book of Mormon opens with the story of Lehi, a prophet in Jerusalem, and his family.  After prophesying of the big city’s destruction around the same time the prophet Jeremiah did (600 BC), the Lord directed Lehi to uproot his family in search of a better life.  Taking with them their family records and very little of their wealth, we read of a typical family - devoted, loving parents; rebellious know-it-all kids; obedient yet tortured-by-the-rebellious-siblings kids – and their trials as they try their best to follow God.

Imagine: You’ve just left your grand home and over-flowing high-interest savings account behind.  You’re now travelling via foot or donkey through sandy deserts.  The sun beats down heavily most of the time, with the sandy wind blowing around you the rest of the time.  You miss cooked food.  You miss cool drink and fruit.  And you don’t even know if your home city really was destroyed, like your old man said it would.

It would have been such a physically and spiritually exhausting journey.  You end up living out there for years, travelling – you hope – towards somewhere nicer.  You bear children in the wilderness.  You eat raw meat and hope it will carry you on til the next meal.

And you really rely on your faith to take you in the right direction.

At one point in their travels, Lehi finds a weird looking ball outside his tent.  It could only have been put there by the hand of God.  Lehi must have then called everyone to come and look, for this is the scene depicted – when the family all gather round this unusual contraption, looking astonished, trying to figure out what it does.

Lehi in the Wilderness Discovers the Liahona

Arnold Friberg

To his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.
(1 Nephi 16:10)


We learn from the scriptures that they call it a “liahona”, and that is served as an intricate compass showing them the direction to travel.  It worked, however, on the condition of their obedience to God:  the pointers which were in the ball … did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them. … changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.  (1 Nephi 16:28-9)

When Lehi’s boys bickered and murmured, the compass stoped working, and they could no longer travel without the Lord’s guidance or gain any better understanding concerning the ways of the Lord.  You can imagine how often that happened.

This painting would have been quite complex for Friberg to complete, as the account in the Book of Mormon contains very specific detail - the liahona is round, curious, made of fine brass, has two spindles – but leads to more questions. 
When interviewed in 1986, he said:  “How large was the Liahona? How did they see the pointers? What did they do with it when they weren’t using it? Did they let it roll around on the deck of the ship?”  So what did he do?  He responded well:  “There is no tube of paint that says “Don’t know.” I have to come to grips with it…I have to paint something. I decided on a handy little size that they could hold in their hand, and I made a little tripod stand for it to sit in. Someone will actually demand …"Then how dare you paint it, if you don’t know?" … All you can do is research the period as close as you can and picture something that makes sense. You just come up with something that somehow fulfils your idea of what it looked like.” [1]

Also note the way he presented us with the family’s appearance and in particular the male physique.  The abundance of figures that he spreads across the canvas almost creates the sense of an unknown race of people.  Friberg clearly envisioned the Nephites as heroic and “larger than life” figures, and wanted to display that vitality in his art. [2]


Later in the Book of Mormon, another prophet teaches his son about the Liahona, and how their ancestors were slow to follow the Lord at times.  He said:

And now, my son, I would that ye should understand … as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass … they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.


For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.


And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.  (Alma 37:43-5)

I love how the Book of Mormon is filled with messages and events so applicable to the gospel of Jesus Christ and how we can live it today.  We all use compasses, maps, road signs and GPS to navigate ourselves and our families today.  They are invaluable tools when we travel, get lost, and need direction.

You can see where I’m going with this … because “there is such a variety and volume of media flooding our personal space, most of it intent on herding us down a path that is broad and travelled by many.” [3]  There are many roads in life to be taken.  Have you ever asked yourself, as Joseph Smith once did, “What is to be done? Who of all these [voices and roads is] right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?” [4]

You totally have.  We all have.

Just like Alma reminded his son 500 years after the Liahona surfaced, the Lord is prepared to guide and direct us in our travels, just as He did with Lehi and his family.  But remember: the miraculous device worked by small means, and they were therefore ‘slothful’ and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence daily.  Sometimes we are looking for massive sign posts, flashing arrows, and easy hand-outs to help us make the right choices.  I doubt the Lord will reveal new paths for us to take if we haven’t faithfully followed Him along the paths He’s already marked.


Have you had experiences with a Liahona?  You totally have . A message from General Conference that seems mysteriously written just for you.  That voice warning you not to walk down a wrong path.

I think the key is not becoming complacent and not being used to hearing lots of messages that we miss or ignore the liahonas in our lives.  And to remember how the Liahona worked for Lehi and his family – through faithfulness, obedience, and daily diligence.





If you wish to order a free copy, let me know or click here.

Feel free to read or listen to it here.

[1] Vern Swanson, ‘The Book of Mormon Art of Arnold Friberg, “Painter of Scripture”, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies: Vol 10, 1, 26-35, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, 2011, citing a 1986 interview with Friberg
[2] Ibid, citing an 1981 interview with Friberg
[3] Lowell M. Snow, ‘Compass of the Lord’, Ensign, Nov. 2005
[4] Ibid, citing Joseph Smith History 1:10

[Image found at http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category3_715839595_10557_21096_-1___0]

Book of Mormon painting one.

A long time ago, in a land far far away ... okay, not the greatest entrance, but the Jaredites are an almost-forgotten people.  Are you familiar with the story in Genesis of people attempting to build a tower as tall as possible to get to heaven – the tower of Babel?  In the aftermath of this dumb idea around 2200 BC, the people of Babylon were confounded, scattered, and stricken with confusion.  A group of people then decided to up and leave – we know them as the Jaredites; the people of Jared.

As other ancient peoples have done before and since, the Jaredites maintained a record of their journeys.  Their prophet, Ether, wrote the record, and Moroni later compiled the record into his own record in AD 421, now known as the Book of Mormon.

Let me give you a clue with how to read the book of Ether: there are six parts to the record.  It’s a lot clearer if you are reading an 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon, which divided Ether into six chapters rather than the 15-versed chapters we read today:

1: chapters 1–4
2: chapter 5
3: chapters 6–8
4: chapters 9–11
5: chapter 12
6: chapters 13–15

You’ll notice that each of these sections begin with “And now I, Moroni,” with part 5 the exception, with those words beginning the fourth sentence.  These words show us that Moroni edited the Jaredite record to illustrate what he felt was crucial.  In fact, both Moroni and Mormon frequently used a phrase like “thus we see” to signal that he was drawing a point for their readers.

The book of Ether begins with (and to a large extent, focuses on) the story of the brother of Jared:

With the Babylonian people running crazy around the place [1], a faithful man named Jared turned to his even more faithful brother, asking him to go to Lord for help.

And so the brother of Jared goes to the Lord in prayer; he did cry unto the Lord [2] for the Lord’s guidance, and was able to lead the group to another land as a result of the prayers of the people over a long period of time.  “Enduring obedience coupled with frequent persistent prayers is powerful.” [3]

“Do you get answers to your prayers?  If not, perhaps you did not pay the price.  Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord?  Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly?  Do you offer pennies to pay heavy debts when you should give dollars to erase that obligation?

When you pray, do you just speak, or do you also listen? … Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our lives for a reason.” [4]

So the Lord promised to lead them to a land of promise, which was choice above all other lands [5] and chapter 2 records their journey to this promised land.  They all arrive at the coastline, they pitch their tents, and stay there for about four years. [6]  After four years had passed, the Lord spoke with the brother of Jared and chastened him.  The brother of Jared had been neglecting the Lord and his prayers.  It must have been a great character-building experience for the brother of Jared – he was chastised for three hours by the Lord, and he endured it.  He immediately repented and prayed, and sought guidance for the journey they had been given.

We should never neglect to call on the Lord.  Elder Russell M. Nelson said he had often heard President Gordon B. Hinckley say the following: “I don’t know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work”. [7]

And so the brother of Jared repents, and begins building barges for the people to cross the ocean.  He encounters three problems: the barges would not have any light in them; they would run out of air; and they wouldn’t know which direction to steer the barges.

Go ahead and read how the brother of Jared and Lord work together to solve these problems here.

We learn from this story that the Lord requires us to do all we can to solve our problems.  He wants us to grow and learn by making our own decisions or conclusions, then taking them to His in prayer.  The brother of Jared was asked to present some solution to these problems, not just ask for help and except to get it.  The brother of Jared studied the problem, found a solution, prepared the solution, and then returned to the Lord for confirmation of his solution as well as the Lord’s help and further instructions.


In relation to the problem of having no light, this is what happened:

The brother of Jared was concerned, and rather than waiting to be told what to do about it, he took the concern to the Lord.  Instead of instructing the brother of Jared immediately, the Lord asked: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? [8]  What do you suggest we should do in order to have light?

The brother of Jared diligently did something himself – he climbed Mount Shelem, melted out 16 small stones from rock, then using great faith, asked the Lord to touch the stones that they may provide light.

The Lord answered, not only providing light, but giving this faithful man a great vision.

The Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord.

Arnold Friberg

And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger.  And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear.
(Ether 3:6).


What an event for Friberg to paint!  This very scene “may well be the single most remarkable encounter with Christ ever experienced by mortal man, and we are indebted to Moroni for preserving it.” [9]  It is an unparalleled experience.

You can imagine Friberg's problem, similar to that of Michelangelo when he chose to paint the finger of God in the Sistene Chapel - how to you show the finger of the Lord touching the stones?  The account in the book of Ether is very clear that the Lord has a finger and a hand, yet how do you paint it?

Friberg eliminated the artistic setback by painting the scene from behind the prayful brother of Jared, with emanating light blinding us all from a depiction of a finger.  Thus, the painting "succeeds in conveying great visual power without creating theological controversy". [10]  It clearly shows us that "[t]he brother of Jared fully expected the stones to be lighted.  It was the seeing the finger that astonished and terrified him" [11], and we can really feel that terror and amazement in the painting.

Consider what the brother of Jared did that enabled him to see the Saviour.  It was the brother of Jared’s great faith that brought him into the presence of the Lord.  A similar privilege is promised to us in Ether 4:7:

And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.


There are so many other great messages in the book of Ether: it “serves as a second witness with the Nephite record of God’s promises and warnings to our day.”  Compare Ether 2:7; 13:20 and 2 Nephi 4:4.  Both declare the same message of obedience and the same parable of destruction of two ancient people that could always be repeated.

Most importantly, it “demonstrates the kind of faith that brought the Jaredites to the promised land and serves as a backdrop against which we read the rest of the book of Ether.” [10]





If you wish to order a free copy, let me know or click here.
Feel free to read or listen to it here.


[Image found at http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category3_715839595_10557_21096_-1___0]

[1] Ether 1:33-43; Genesis 11:1-9
[2] Ether 1:34-39
[3] Book of Mormon Student Manuel, p363 (bold added)
[4] Spencer W. Kimball, “Prayer”, Ensign, Mar. 1978, 17
[5] Ether 2:7
[6] Ether 2:13
[7] Ensign, Nov. 1997, 16
[8] Ether 2:23
[9] Jeffrey R. Holland, ‘For a Wise Purpose’, Ensign, Jan. 1996
[10] Ted Schwarz, Arnold Friberg: The Passion of a Modern Master (Flagstaff, Ariz,: Northland, 1985), 54
[11] Arnold Friberg, Arnold Friberg notes (February 2001), SMA Library - as cited in Swanson, "The Book of Mormon Art of Arnold Friberg: "Painter of Scripture", Jornal of Book of Mormon Studies: Vol 10, 1, 26-35, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, 2011
[12] Richard Dilworth Rust, ‘“I Know Your Doing”: The Book of Mormon Speaks to Our Times’, Ensign, Dec. 1988

Book of Mormon paintings.

There once was an artist who designed the historical costumes for the lead stars in Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments.  He painted a series of 15 paintings for the film, and his efforts earned him an Academy Award nomination.

This artist went on to paint the famous The Prayer at Valley Forge, showing George Washington knelling beside his horse ..

.. and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

[Images via http://www.fribergfineart.com/]

This artists’ name was Arnold Friberg (1913-2010), and he also painted a series of 12 paintings for the Friend magazine in the 1950s, each portraying Friberg’s interpretation of key events in The Book of Mormon.

After completing the paintings, Friberg wrote: “My own understanding and appreciation of the Book of Mormon has been immeasurably increased. … The great personalities who walk through its pages have become alive and real, and of immense stature.” [1]

Most Mormons have grown up with these larger-than-life images all around them.  In fact, these paintings have been printed in copies on The Book of Mormon, after its title page.

As part of this month’s Forum, I will be looking at each painting – the people and events illustrated – and what Friberg is saying in each of the moments he chose to illustrate from The Book of Mormon.

Stay tuned ...

... and continue to think up questions that The Book of Mormon can answer.


Painting One posted here.
Painting Two posted here.
Painting Three posted here.
Painting Four posted here.
Painting Five posted here.
Painting Six posted here.
Painting Seven posted here.
Painting Eight posted here.

These paintings are permanently on display in the Conference Centre in Salt Lake City, Utah.




If you wish to order a free copy, let me know or click here.
Feel free to read or listen to it here.


[1] Children’s Friend, December 1952, pages 496, 522
http://lds.org/liahona/1992/08/the-book-of-mormon-paintings-by-arnold-friberg?lang=eng

Thought for Friday.

I love art.

I studied art all through high school and university.  My mother is an artist.  I've surrounded myself with art all my life.  I have books to every exhibition and museum I have been through. 
And I love art.


Come on a quick journey with me ...



A beautifully crafted portrait. 

Now see him walk around:



Wait, is the portrait walking around the subway??!



Yup!!




I really like this portrait.  Very realistic and moving.



Wait, is she looking at me now??


[Images from here and here.]


Watch how it's done:

Clever.