"Establish... a House of God"

Rachel Thomander (Colombian-American, born 1989)
Indumentario Alfabético (2021)
Textile, wood, acrylic paint, and ceramic, 30 x 20 x 24 inches
Courtesy of the artist
Artist’s website

Also featured in Great Awakening: Vision and Synthesis in Latter-day Saint Art at the Center Gallery in 2021.

Historical Reflections

The readings for August include a number of landmark revelations. There are two doctrinal giants, sections 88 and 93.

Section 88 begins with striking insights into the nature of the cosmos and ends with an explication of the coming apocalypse.

Section 93 reworks chapter one of the Gospel of John on the nature of Christ’s perfection and the path we can follow to the same end. It contains the famous phrase: “the glory of God is intelligence.”

But in addition to these doctrinal discourses, we have the ever-worthy Word of Wisdom which has done so much to set Latter-day Saints off from the rest of society, and the famous prophecy on the Civil War sparked by the Nullification Crisis in South Carolina that roiled the nation in December 1832.

Joseph remained in Kirtland all through this period, directing Zion in Missouri from afar.

- Richard Bushman

Art Companion

"And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace” (D&C 88:125). What does it mean to clothe oneself in something abstract like charity? If one imagines physically draping in such a thing, how would it be represented?

The artist Rachel Thomander’s work frequently connected to textiles of her own making. These link to her heritage as well as to contemporary art practices. For Indumentario Alfabético, the artist created a small garment in the style of a Colombian ruana. It serves both as protection and instruction. Festooned with cloth ribbons displaying the Spanish alphabet and bright color appliqués, it obliquely refers to ancient temple priests.

In a sense, we all choose how we will clothe ourselves—literally in the ways we conceal and reveal ourselves through our coverings, and metaphorically as surround ourselves with ideas and things that are most valuable to us.

Gospel Questions

1. Jesus describes that He has "ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth" (D&C 88:6). How have you felt Jesus with you in both your highs and in your lows?

2. Jesus explains that if we seek Him early, we will ﬁnd Him (D&C 88:83). How has a personal childhood spiritual experience or the spiritual experience of a child bolstered your testimony?

3. What have you speciﬁcally placed in your living space that evidences the preparation described in D&C 88:119-120? "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; That you incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High."

For Children & Youth

Hi. The word “mantle” has several interesting meanings. The scriptures tell us to clothe ourselves…as with a mantle. It can be a layer of clothing like a shawl or a cloak; in the scriptures, a mantle can represent a responsibility, like the mantle of being the prophet; in Geology, the mantle is a part of Earth’s layers below the surface; or it can be the action of covering something. As you try to imagine what it means to clothe yourself with the bond of charity, visualize it as a literally thing that you can touch. Picture yourself protected by that love.

Gospel Questions

1. In the introduction to the Section, Joseph Smith refers to an "olive leaf...plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord's message of peace to us." The olive leaf is a symbol of peace. What is a symbol of peace to you and why? Draw a picture of your symbol of peace.

2. Jesus calls us "my friends" (D&C 88:62, 117). How would you describe Jesus as your friend? In following Jesus, how can you be a friend to others ("See that ye love one another," D&C 88:123) ?

3. What song do you know that reminds you that Jesus loves you and wants to be close ("Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you," D&C 88:63)? When are some times when singing this song would bring you comfort, peace and encouragement?