November 16-22: Hosea 1-6; 10-14; Joel

Written By Center for Latter-day Saint Arts

"I Will Love Them Freely"

Nikki Mortensen (American, born 1978)

Adri (2020)

Oil on panel, 20 x 16 inches

Collection of the artist

Used with permission of the artist

In Hosea, God uses the prophet Hosea’s marriage to an unfaithful wife as a powerful picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him. Despite the people turning to idols and abandoning their relationship with God, He continues to call them back with compassion and a desire to restore them. Later chapters warn of consequences for continued rebellion but also include promises of healing and renewal if the people repent. The book of Joel describes a devastating locust plague that destroys the land, symbolizing both immediate disaster and a coming day of judgment. Joel calls the people to repentance and promises that God will restore what was lost and will pour out His Spirit on all people.

Reflect on Nikki Mortensen's effervescent painting, Adri, as part of your personal study this week. How does it tie into the central theme of restoration? Another theme is God’s faithful love, even when people are unfaithful or inconsistent. These books emphasize repentance as the pathway to restoration and healing. Highlighting hope, promising renewal, blessing, and a fresh start after turning back to God. These passages resonate today because they encourage people to reflect on their priorities, return to what is meaningful, and trust that renewal and growth are always possible.

Gospel Questions

1. How can you recognize when you are drifting away from values that are important to you?

2. What is a consequence that helped you grow?

3. How do you invite God into your process of rebuilding after failure or loss?

For Children and Youth

Hi. God still loves people even when they make bad choices and wants them to come back to Him. He promises to help them start fresh and make things better again.

1. Is forgiving people hard to do?

More from the Art Companion

2026 Come, Follow Me Art Companion Old Testament
December 21-27: Christmas
December 21-27: Christmas

Christians around the world travel to local houses of worship during the Christmas season, as well as make pilgrimages to Bethlehem and other iconic locations in Christian history. They are drawn to the pagentry, the music, the stories of the birth of Jesus in ways that surpass, in many cases, their commitment to God during the rest of the year. Latter-day Saint chapels are functional spaces rather than elaborate, cathedral-like monuments.

December 14-20: Malachi
December 14-20: Malachi

In the book of Malachi the prophet Malachi delivers God’s message to a people who have grown spiritually careless and indifferent. God confronts the priests for offering improper sacrifices and failing to honor Him with sincerity. The Lord challenges the peoples unfaithfulness in relationships, injustice, and withholding tithes.

December 7-13: Haggai 1-2; Zechariah 1-4; 7-14
December 7-13: Haggai 1-2; Zechariah 1-4; 7-14

In Haggai, the prophet Haggai urges the people to stop neglecting God’s temple and prioritize rebuilding it. Promising that God will abide with them and bless their efforts. He encourages leaders like Zerubbabel and Joshua, assuring them that their work has lasting significance despite humble beginnings. In Zechariah, the prophet Zechariah receives a series of visions that symbolize God’s Spirit empowering the rebuilding of the temple.

November 30-December 6: Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
November 30-December 6: Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah

The book of Micah, confronts Israel and Judah for their corruption and false leadership, but it promises future restoration and the coming of a ruler from Bethlehem. Nahum focuses on the downfall of Nineveh, declaring that God will bring justice against its cruelty and oppression. Habakkuk records a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God, where he questions why injustice is allowed, and God responds that justice will come in time.

Center for Latter-day Saint Arts
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November 23-29: Amos; Obadiah; Jonah

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November 9-15: Daniel 1-7