Easter seems an appropriate time to end a hiatus from my blog that has gone too long.
The banner image of my blog, Michelangelo’s “the Creation of
Adam” in the Sistine Chapel, is one of the great works of art I note there as
inspired by faith. As my parents have
aged and felt more and more the failings of their bodies and minds, one thing I
have occasionally done to offer them relief is to share some inspirational
art. After my mother’s terrible
arthritic pains, and replacement of 2 knees, her loss of eyesight due to
macular degeneration, and my father’s repeated hernias, kidney stones, and
cataracts, at a recent Thanksgiving my family went to an exhibit of the Danish artist Carl Bloch at the BYU Museum
of Art. He had painted an entire series
of 23 scenes he’d selected from the New Testament for the king of Denmark’s
chapel at Frederiksborg palace.
The Resurrection
The exhibit also had a map of Denmark showing
where reproductions had been painted & hung in chapels across Denmark. The chapel where my Danish ancestors (my
mother’s side) likely worshipped in Hjorthede had a reproduction of “Doubting
Thomas,” that I show here, below. I had a modern reproduction framed, gave it to my parents, and was pleased to see that my mother selected it to be taken when they moved to their more modest retirement home apartment. It is a
reminder to all of us, that despite all our uncertainties, there is one certain
thing we can all look forward to because of Christ who was the “first fruits of
the resurrection.” And tying into the "Creation of Adam" painting,
The painting depicts the following account:
John 20:24 ¶ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 ¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Some, like Thomas, doubt. But also like Thomas, all someday will see the resurrected Christ. As did hundreds in the New Testament. And many thousands in the Book of Mormon. And as did Joseph Smith in 1820.
John 20:24 ¶ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 ¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Some, like Thomas, doubt. But also like Thomas, all someday will see the resurrected Christ. As did hundreds in the New Testament. And many thousands in the Book of Mormon. And as did Joseph Smith in 1820.
Early last year we very nearly lost my mother to pneumonia -- some of us went to say our last good-byes. Last thanksgiving, my parents were in a head-on car accident
where the airbags deployed, fracturing their ribs, and leaving them in great pain
for weeks. I spent several days there,
assisting. More recently, a few weeks ago, my mother fell
and fractured her sacrum, which has left her immobile for weeks, and in even
more excruciating pain than she remembers in childbirth, as she describes it. Besides we siblings arranging for the extra
care they need, praying for them and submitting their names to the temple
prayer roll, and consolation by phone or in person, I sent them the following
images. The first two paintings are by Carl
Bloch, the 3rd by another Danish artist.
The Atonement
“Christ at Gethsemane I & II” by Carl Bloch, and “The
Agony in the Garden,” by Danish artist Frans Schwartz
These paintings depict the following account from the gospels.
Mark 14: 32 “And they came to a place which was named
Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and
John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding
sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the
ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this
cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”
Luke 22:43 “And there appeared an angel unto him from
heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more
earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to
the ground.”
The level of suffering in Gethsemane, both physical
(sweating blood) & mental/spiritual (“sore amazed … very heavy… sorrowful
unto death…in agony”) is something we cannot comprehend, but God did, and sent
an angel to strengthen Him. The Father
did not remove the cup from Him – it was not his will to do so – the atonement was
the price that had to be paid to satisfy the demands of justice for the sins of
the world. To cleanse us to be able to
return to dwell with God. And the gift
of love that Christ gave to offer mercy to those who repent and follow Him. It was part of His “…work and …
glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses
1:39). It was a vital part of His mortal
ministry and experience, and demonstrating His complete submission to the will
of the Father. It was a suffering that
in ways surpassed that on the cross. But
on the cross there was no angel to relieve Him – the Father left him to
complete the atonement on His own. So
Christ can even understand when we are estranged from God.
Similarly, many of the physical and mental/emotional/spiritual
pains we suffer in this life may find temporary relief (physical and/or
comfort) by the grace of God. But they,
too, have a purpose or effect – refining us as gold or silver -- and we are not
immune from them. But even they are
temporary, as we are promised through the resurrection, and the relief that
will come with an immortal body, and the rest and rewards that are
promised. Christ healed many during his
ministry, and raised some from the dead.
But all of them ultimately died – and will be resurrected. He explained that for some, their affliction
had been an opportunity for God to show His grace and healing power. And no doubt some provide an inspiration for
others who also suffer, showing how to do so graciously, with faith and
patience. And for the rest of us, an opportunity to serve them.
Physical Pain & Healing
Many years ago I suffered a back injury, and at one point
experienced temporarily the most excruciating pain I have ever known – sciatic pain
in my leg. It was immobilizing and
breathtaking, and I didn’t think I could endure it very long at all, and
fortunately didn’t have to. I later
received a priesthood blessing in which it was stated that one reason I had
experienced that was that I might better comprehend the suffering of Christ for
us on the cross. I understand from
medical descriptions of crucifixion, that one significant part of the pain is
from the sciatic nerves pierced by the nails. And the many sleepless nights due to other
back pain drove me to my knees and prayer, and brought me closer to Him. And it gave me greater spiritual sensitivity,
and empathy. I’m reminded of a survivor
of the Martin Handcart Company who said that “The
price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am
thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.”
Some divine blessings have
come without asking, but I believe as a result of faithfulness. Several years after the back injury (and
having to give up running), my swimming fitness had plateaued – my times in my
half mile swims (3 times a week) had not improved for a couple or few years,
despite regular workouts and strength training.
Perhaps I had peaked, I thought, and it would be downhill with age. But at that time, 12 years ago, I had decided
to follow an invitation by a friend to serve monthly in the temple, as a veil
worker. Within a week of starting that,
and without any special effort on my part, I suddenly noticed my half mile swim
time dropped by a full minute. I am
reminded also of the promise (Isaiah 40:31, and D&C 89:20) “But they that wait
upon the LORD shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
weary; and they shall walk, and not
faint.” I would like to think that some of my good health might be attributed to fulfillment of the promise in D&C
84: 33
“For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which
I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit
unto the renewing of their bodies.” I have witnessed that fulfilled for our Church leaders. One thing I do know, is that the Lord is good to His promises.
I mentioned one of many priesthood blessings I have received
for a variety of physical and emotional ailments. For me, they were like the angel who
strengthened Christ. They were a comfort
– that God is aware of us individually – and they have given relief and healing
that I know were from Him. Most have
healed fully, and others have been greatly reduced and tolerable, as I exercise
prudence and diligence.
I think over the years – in track & cross-country, 10K’s,
marathons, Little League, volleyball, etc., I have torn or sprained about every
muscle, tendon and joint in my body (so far no broken bones, knock on wood). Currently, for example, I have been suffering
for at least a couple of months with “swimmer’s shoulder.” At times I or others at work or the gym, or family
& friends, share frustration with physical pains or limitations. But a number of times more recently I have
also mentioned how I realize these are only temporary aspects of mortality (and
growing older), and how they make me look forward all the more to the
resurrection. Often we do not appreciate
something (e.g., lack of pain) until we experience the opposite. That’s mortality – experiencing “opposition
in all things.” I know that someday after this life we
will all look back on our days in mortality with a very different and more
eternal perspective. And maybe tell “war
stories,” and even laugh, about our experiences and pains. But also share what we learned from
them.
Biology was not my favorite subject in school. I even tried (unsuccessfully) to justify
eliminating a biological science course from my undergraduate general education
program. But I marvel more and more at
the incredible creations that are our bodies.
Their complexity, durability, and their self-regenerative healing
powers. Their miraculous nature are a
testament to their Creator, and a small foretaste of the more permanent healing
and transformation the resurrection will be, and an immortal body. I have come to appreciate in my academic and
professional careers the intricacies of the human eye, and how man-made imaging
systems try to imitate it. And the
immune system, the brain and neurological systems, the muscular-skeletal system, and the cardio-pulmonary
system.
Spiritual Pain & Healing
But Christ healed both
physically and spiritually – for instance the man with palsy. When accused of blasphemy by the scribes, He
said, (Mark 2: 9)
“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed,
and walk?”
I can also testify of Christ’s
spiritual and emotional healing power in my own life, after repenting from
sins, or praying for emotional or other relief.
I have received clear assurance I was forgiven and loved. One time I especially felt overwhelmed with
various commitments, and concerned over not giving more time in my church
calling. I happened to go to the San
Diego temple open house, and though I’d been in many dedicated temples serving,
never have I experienced the powerful, overwhelming, spiritual manifestation that I
did on that occasion – though those around me did not seem to feel it. I was completely convinced the Lord was
there, in His house, showing His awareness and love of me, and comforting, giving me
assurance that He appreciated my offerings, and to continue on and just do what
I could.
I should add, however, that experience
was very similar to the time when, as a teen-ager, I read the Book of Mormon
while soaking an ingrown toenail that I’d had for several years. At that time, the Spirit similarly bore
powerful and undeniable witness to me of the truth of that book.
Other Inspirational Art
Of course I shouldn’t give short shrift to the other arts
(besides painting) that inspire, and are inspired by, faith. Music being a prominent one. I’ve found many of the classical composers
especially uplifting – Handel (e.g., “Messiah”), Bach (“Jesu Meine Freude,”
which I’ve performed on trumpet), Mozart, Beethoven, etc. In a new The Piano Guys CD I just got is an insert with the quote, "The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the enlivening of the spirit" --- Johann Sebastian Bach. Sundays are my classical music days,
including also Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
I’ve also found some of the new age, international and instrumental
music very healing and soothing at times.
Including Enya, etc. And of
course the great sculptors like Michelangelo. And Thorvaldsen, whose "Christus" (below) I saw in Copenhagen, and reproductions in LDS visitor centers. And films (e.g., Bible videos like “He is Risen” at https://www.lds.org/bible-videos?lang=eng).
You might note that I have featured 3 Danish artists' works in this post. The former pagan Vikings clearly embraced Christianity -- a thousand years ago. Showing that repentance is possible for even the worst of us.
There were some great new faith-related websites mentioned
at general conference that I would like to recommend.
http://faithcounts.com/
An interfaith site with many inspiring
stories, including Elizabeth Smart’s, Missy Franklin’s, etc.
The “Meet the Mormons” movie that I also highly recommend is
now available on Netflix, Amazon & iTunes.
It depicts the interesting, inspiring and very different lives of 6
Mormons from around the world.
Science & Religion
I also note the recent controversies between science and
religion in the media – news, National Geographic, etc. I am working on a post (or multiple posts)
with more on that. But noteworthy I
think are some of the works by scientists who have wrestled with reconciling
science and religion, and have some compelling arguments. One, “the God of the Big Bang,” is by a
colleague at work, Leslie Wickman, who is part-time at Aerospace and full-time
at Azusa Pacific University. I have been
reading the advance reader’s copy she provided me, and find it excellent. I have also heard of other good books, like “Darwin’s
Doubt,” that addresses some of the shortfalls of Darwinian theory – like the
Cambrian revolution, and the level of complexity of humans vs. entropy,
indicating an external and intelligent guiding force, or Creator. There are other excellent works dealing with
what we have come to understand is our amazingly precisely tuned universe (and
other anthropic principles) – again, indicative of a Creator or intelligent
design.
