“The promises… shall be fulfilled.”

Lucy Smith (American)
The Pandemic (2020)
Oil paint
Prize winner from Art for Uncertain Times: The Next Generation
Used with permission of the artist

Section 45 of the Doctrine and Covenants contains descriptions of “…wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth” (D&C 45:26). Anyone who remembers living through the pandemic five years ago will recognize themselves in verse 31: “And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land” (D&C 45:31). This tumultuous section of scripture includes peace, as well, “And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy” (D&C 45: 71).

Might Zion also be the gathering of home? One of the Art for Uncertain Times: The Next Generation participants at the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts was Lucy Smith, in the 10-14 year-old division. She wrote this about her work, shown above: “I made this painting to demonstrate the safety of our home during the Covid-19 pandemic quarantine. The umbrella represents our home. The yellow light represents the goodness that is in our home during a time of uncertainty. The blue rain represents the pandemic and the uncertainty of the outside world during the quarantine. I hoped to show that our home is a place of safety and love and light during a difficult time.”

Discussion Questions

1. Jesus is your advocate to plead your cause (D&C 45:3). An advocate can best represent her client if the client is totally honest with the advocate. How can you be wholly honest in your relationship with Jesus?

2. Jesus speaks of a time when the "whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them" (D&C 45:26). Have you felt a weakening of your heart in this time? What do you do to strengthen your heart while the world jostles in commotion?

3. Where are your holy places and what makes them holy? Why do these holy places bring you peace?

For Children

Hello. Just like Lucy painted her family safe at home, you might also feel that the meanings of home and safety have changed for you during the past year. How would you complete this sentence, “I feel safe when I…”? In May, one of the Come, Follow Me lessons covers D&C 59, which is a section about keeping the Sabbath day holy. We have a challenge for you: draw a picture of what you do right now to keep the Sabbath day holy. We’d love to see it and perhaps share it with other readers next month. Send your pictures to glen@centerforlatterdaysaintarts.org

Art Project

Jesus retells the parable of the Ten Virgins in this week's reading (D&C 45:56-57). Using clay make a representation of your oil lamp. What do you use to fill it?