Oil on Gessobord
24×18 inches
February 2014
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This painting shows an angel comforting and strengthening Christ during the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here and on the cross, Christ took upon himself the payment for our individual sins and the burden of each of our pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, infirmities, and death that he might succor and save us. The pain was immense, especially for Him who was sinless and perfectly loving.
We apply the Atonement in our lives through baptism and by partaking of the sacrament. In doing so we commit to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end.
Those who keep these covenants are blessed by the Lord with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, the remission of their sins, and the privilege of being spiritually reborn. If they continue in faith, they are promised eternal life.
In these challenging times, there is no greater comfort.
As with the other paintings in this series I chose to not show the great drops of blood he shed, setting aside needless gore and anatomic trivia in an attempt to focus on the meaning.