Book of Mormon Feast
An Artistic Tour of Alma 32
Alma 32:26-
BOOK OF MORMON MUSIC
“The Word Is a Seed”
Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment
Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 27
In one of many beautiful and incisive sermons, Alma taught the people, “Now, we will
compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted
in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it
out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will
begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye
will begin to say within yourselves -
You’ll know it is good by its growth and its light.
You will feel it enlarging your soul.
Experiment now, test the word by your faith
As you nourish and help it to grow.
Alma 32:28
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Kaitlin Acosta
In my painting I wanted to depict the tree of life. When I created it, I thought of Alma 32:28 and it says,"Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." I included a heart in the roots to symbolize our testimonies. Like any seed, it needs water, sunlight, and soil. A tree can not thrive on human food. So like a seed of a tree, what we put into our hearts determines what our growth will be. I also included layers of soil to symbolize time. Testimonies aren't always immediate. It takes time, effort, and trust in the Lord. When we do the small and simple things, we will see incredible blessings and grow into our fullest potential.
Alma 32:28
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Kay B. Spjut
We learn in Alma 32:28–43 to “compare the word unto a seed” and nourish that seed with faith so it will grow. This gourd began its journey as a seed that was nourished by faith and loving hands. Now it stands as an object of art, designed to teach the gospel through one of the most powerful symbols in scripture—the tree of life (see 1 Nephi 8).
Alma 32:30
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Natalie Christensen
oil on canvas with clay and shell
“Some of the most wonderful works of God that I have witnessed were the conversions I saw while serving a mission. I witnessed many miracles as I taught the gospel and watched lives change. I made this piece to show the progress of an individual’s conversion. It is more of a process than one large experience, and I wanted to give each stage its own attention. The planting of the seed is just as important as the nurturing of the young plant. As a person matures in the gospel, roots of understanding and commitment reach into the rich soil to provide strength and support for the new life, now visible to others. Conversion happens between individuals and God, but I was blessed to be able to observe the process.”
Alma 32:30
Book of Mormon Art
Jonathan Linton
Oil on linen panel
The kneeling figure of Faith calls to the viewer with her right hand as she carefully nurtures a young plant with her left hand. This tender plant is the word of the gospel, as Alma describes (see Alma 32). Hope, the figure on the right, waits patiently but expectantly for the fruit the plant will one day bear as she looks toward Charity. Charity, the pure love of Christ, which “never faileth,” stands in the others’ company, representing the transcendence of charity, as Paul so eloquently describes (see 1 Corinthians 13). Charity holds a light that gives life to the growing plant so that it “swelleth, and sprouteth” and eventually flourishes and bears fruit (Alma 32:30).
Alma 32:41
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Marie Withers
In Alma 32, the scriptures describe how we plant the seed of faith, give it care and nourishment, and it will become a great tree. Alma 32:41: "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life." Normally I paint in oils, but this piece was created in pastels.
Alma 32:43
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Courtney von Savoye
This piece won First Place in the 2018 Book of Mormon Central Art Contest.
This piece was inspired by Alma 32 in the Book of Mormon. In this chapter Alma explains the nature of faith being something believed and not seen. As faith grows it is like a seed being planted in a person's heart and if they are faithful and learn more of the gospel they are blessed with fruit. This is represented in this piece with a girl giving thanks for the fruit that was grown in a barren desert. Since she was faithful she was able to receive her reward and can now grow stronger. The moon and star represents the spirit since her gaze is aimed up toward heaven.