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.