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This is My Beloved Son

Joseph Smith History 1:17

When the artist’s Light of the World sculptures were on exhibit for the LDS Church, they went to fourteen different Visitors’ Centers in the United States. An editor from a local newspaper in Cincinnati called her and asked for a phone interview. As they talked, the interviewer said she belonged to the Catholic faith. She shared how moving it was to walk into the exhibit room and be surrounded by so many miracles of Jesus. She respectfully acknowledged that there was a depiction of the roots of Mormonism, but, she said with wonder, “All the rest are our miracles!” It shows how much we have in common.

Here are the artist’s own words about this work: “Of all the sculptures I have created, This is My Beloved Son has been the most difficult. More difficult than the water? Yes. What about Gethsemane? That would be a close tie. As a Latter-Day Saint I have always loved the account that Joseph Smith gave of this sacred appearing of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, to a boy of thirteen.

“My life has been guided by the light of that divine vision. It is with complete reverence, in spite of how inadequate I felt to portray God’s glory, that I offer this as my gift to my Father in Heaven and to my Savior.

“I loved creating a portrayal of young Joseph, so open, trusting, and innocent. God’s decision to appear to a young boy in a sacred grove reminded me of Samuel and David, a great prophet and a king, from their youth to lead His people.

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17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

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Because We Believe…

logo of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsJoe & Kathleen Sorensen Family Foundation

THIS IS THE LEGACY WE GIVE, THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD


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1

It Is I, Be Not Afraid

Matthew 14:22-27

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2

I Give You Living Water

John 4:4-42

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3

Be Thou Clean

Matthew 8:1-4

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4

Master Say On

Luke 7:36-50

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5

Someone Hath Touched Me

Luke 8:43-48

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6

O My Father

Matthew 14:23

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7

One Thing Is Needful

Luke 10:38-42

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8

His Gathering

Luke 13:34

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9

Let He That Is Without Sin

John 8:1-11

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10

Lazarus, Come Forth

John 11:1-44

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11

Gethsemane

Luke 22:39-53

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12

Because of Love

Mark 15 and John 12:23-50

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13

Mary

John 20:11-18

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14

Reach in Faith

John 20:24-31

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15

This Is My Beloved Son

Joseph Smith History 1:17

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