paintings directly from scripture stories
“I May Preserve Unto Myself the Roots”
I love taking passages of scripture and layering them over my own life.
In the story of the Vineyard of Olive Trees, the Lord of the Vineyard is desperately trying to save his beloved olive tree. He not only cares about it producing good fruit, but he does not want to lose the roots; his peoples on the earth.
I have seen so many parallels to this need to “preserve roots” in my own life. If I am cut off from my roots; if I begin to forsake my ancestors, my heritage, or even my memories (through neglect), I can feel myself start to wither. I can feel that I am starting to lose my sense of direction.
To preserve my roots, I turn to family history. I learn the stories of my ancestors because their strength carries over into my life today.
I also turn to journaling to recount my blessings and the parts of me that make me who I am.
“Grafted In”
I had a fleeting vision as I was first forming this idea and this narrative, of the olive grove, and the importance of you and me and all of us, of one specific branch being grafted into a larger tree. And I pictured these threads connecting each branch, and sort of a diagram of where that branch came from, like a celestial map or chart.
The scriptures say that the Lord is aware of all mankind, their comings and goings, their sufferings and experiences. “Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea… and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?” [2 Nephi 29:7]
I find comfort in knowing that my Heavenly Parents have kept track of me, from eternity to eternity, and they have beautiful plans for me. They place me in certain situations and create opportunities for me. But above all, I am eternally linked to them because of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
To be grafted in is to be healed. To help others come to the Savior is a holy calling given to all his disciples.
“Return to the Vineyard”
The story of the Vineyard is also meant to represent the passing of time; beginning with the first, and ending with the last people on the earth.
A new energy begins in Jacob 5 when the Lord of the Vineyard declares that He and his servants will “go to and labor in the vineyard with [our] might, for behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard…” [Jacob 5:71]
We are living in this last time. We have been given the charge to prune, and dig, and labor to bring all of God’s children to Jesus Christ.
This painting is full of excitement and hope; the work is almost finished, and we get to take part in it.
“Until He comes and His work is done, we’ll labor and we’ll reap.
What joy we’ll find, this last time, as we serve the King of Kings.” [Kurt Bestor]
