Book of Mormon Feast
An Artistic Tour of Mosiah
BOOK OF MORMON ART
El Rey Benjamín enseña a los hijos
Jorge Cocco Santangelo
King Benjamin Teaches His Children
Mosiah 2
BOOK OF MORMON ART
King Benjamin Preaches to the Nephites
Gary L. Kapp
Mosiah 2
Mosiah 2:5
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Receiving the Teachings of King Benjamin
Maria Alejandra Gil.
Enamel on repoussé copper
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Walter Rane
Oil on board. 2003. Commissioned.
The Book of Mormon tells of beloved King Benjamin, who taught his people by word and deed. He spoke of his reign, and how he himself had labored, so that he people would not be taxed to support him, and then taught them this wonderful truth:
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
Mosiah 3
Mosiah 3 – 5
BOOK OF MORMON SONG
“King Benjamin”
Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 14.
Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment
The Book of Mormon tells the happy story of a time in Nephite history when they had a very good leader, King Benjamin. He led his people to live peacefully; he set an example of righteous living for them; he didn’t even tax his people to support him, but worked for his own support. Finally, before he died, he taught them about their Savior Jesus Christ, and encouraged them to make a covenant to follow their Lord, a profound discourse remembered for generations, and one which can still instruct us today.
King Benjamin, a holy man, in righteousness he reigned.
By strength of faith and might of will, the victory he gained.
On plains of war and fields of peace he crushed the serpent’s head;
With wisdom, hope, and selfless life – with virtue pure he led.
Mosiah 4:12
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Chalermchai Hanjakkham
1981, Thailand – oil on canvas
Our Savior created all things with His love through His words, and we can feel God’s love through all things around us. The followers of Christ can inherit eternal life, for everyone who keeps the Lord’s commandments, acts in faith, and works righteousness will receive a crown of eternal life. “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
Mosiah 11 – 18
BOOK OF MORMON MUSIC
“Abinadi, Abinadi”
Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 7.
Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment
During a time of great wickedness the Lord sent the prophet Abinadi among a group of people, as recorded in the Book of Mormon. Although he taught with clarity and purity of the need for a Redeemer, and that He would come, his message was rejected, and he was put to death at the command of the wicked king.
Abinadi, Abinadi, could I be brave like you?
Abinadi, Abinadi, could I be strong and true?
Could I stand up to wicked men and testify of Christ?
Could I refuse to call words back, regardless of the price?
Mosiah 13:4
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Steven Nethercott – Real Heroes Poster
Book of Mormon prophet Abinadi had been threatened with death previously, and, though God gave him special protection while he delivered his message of repentance to the wicked king and his court, he knew that when his mission was completed he would be killed. Nevertheless, he said, “I must fulfill the commandments wherewith God has commanded me. . . . Therefore I finish my message.”
“Real People – Real Power. Real Hero Posters strives to capture the spirit of real heroes, the uniqueness of their world, the strength of their character, and the reality of their heroism.
Mosiah 14:2
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Jennifer Yvonne Paget
oil on panel
This painting depicts various aspects of the Atonement. It is based on Isaiah 53:2, “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground.” The most wonderful work of God is the Atonement. The Father sent His Son “as a tender plant” to suffer for our sins. The Savior made old become new, and He still continues to do so with our lives. In the midst of the wasteland of the world, Christ is the only way of light and life.
Mosiah 14:5
BOOK OF MORMON POTTERY
Thea Daniel
horsehair fired on ceramic pot
Each horsehair applied to my work reacts to the searing heat of the potter’s fire in a predictable yet individual way, providing the beauty and character of the piece. When we turn our lives over to Christ, the trials we endure mold us into the person He knows we can become. Only after our final firing will our individual beauty and glory shine forth.
Mosiah 14:12
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Jody Livingston
Mosiah 15:1
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Sallie Poet
oil on canvas, 1999.
Artist’s notes
This painting depicts the amazing chiastic structure of the book of Mosiah. The complete book of Mosiah is written in chiasmus, which is an ancient Hebrew poetry form. In chiasmus, the most important part of the message is placed in the center of the writing. The center message of the book of Mosiah is spoken by the prophet Abinadi, bound in ropes, who testifies of Christ. Abinadi is in the center of this painting, flanked by King Benjamin, King Mosiah, King Noah, Alma, and Ammon.
Mosiah 15:8,9
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Abinadi Delivers His Message to King Noah
Arnold Friberg, 1913-
The Book of Mormon records that Abinadi taught King Noah and his priests about the coming Messiah: “And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men – Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
“In his book, Classic Scenes from the Book of Mormon, Friberg tells of a man he called ‘Altop.’ This man befriended and introduced the gospel with Friberg's family in Arizona when he was a boy. He also worked as a carpenter alongside Arnold’s father for a time. Thirty years after losing contact, Friberg wrote that Altop showed up at his home one day for a visit, and at the same time he was painting ‘Abinadi Delivers His Message to King Noah.’ Impressed by Altop’s remarkable health at age 70, Friberg took Altop into his studio and used him as a model for Abinadi.
“It’s also interesting to note that when painting Abinadi, Friberg grew his own beard and long hair for greater insight. He also used this method when painting Moses.”
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Walter Rane
Oil on board, 2003. Commissioned.
Although wicked King Noah and most of his priests rejected the testimony of the prophet Abinadi, Alma believed. The Book of Mormon says,
“But there was one among them whose name was Alma, he also being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the iniquity which Abinadi has testified against them; therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace”
Mosiah 18
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Walter Rane
Oil on board. Commissioned.
After Abinadi’s martyrdom, Alma took up God’s work in delivering the message of repentance and salvation to the people. When his listeners were ready, he taught them the significance of the baptismal covenant, saying,
“And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
“Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?”
Mosiah 18:16
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Alma Baptizes in the Waters of Mormon
Arnold Friberg, 1913-
The Book of Mormon describes how Alma secretly taught people the gospel of Christ. He then invited them to make a covenant with Christ, through the ordinance of baptism, to follow Him.
“And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God.”
Artist’s Notes:
The scene in King Noah’s court leads directly to the next picture, ALMA BAPTIZES IN THE WATERS OF MORMON. For it was one of Noah’s priests, one called Alma, who was so impressed with the words of Abinadi that, with repentance, he in turn became a mighty spiritual leader, drawing unto himself an attitude hungering to hear his words and to be baptized in the waters of Mormon.
Rather than a picture of Alma preaching, the artist has chosen to paint the lovely seen of baptism. Both Alma and his followers were in great danger. We see in the foreground armed guards, alert to any threat from the soldiers of King Noah. Yet even with its danger, it is a scene of transcendent tranquility. Friberg here sought to drench the whole scene, from one corner of the canvas to the other, in the divine spiritual beauty of the scene. While the physical facts are there, the more important is the invisible part, the part more felt than seen, that portion that we hold within our hearts.
In painting this picture, the artist’s deepest inspiration sprang from the eloquent words of Mosiah: “Yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their redeemer.”
Mosiah 18:16
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Alma Baptizing in the Waters of Mormon
Minerva Teichert, 1888-
Minerva Teichert depicts the baptism of the faithful followers of Alma in this lush setting of water and vegetation. Men and women wait patiently for their turn to receive the precious ordinance.
Mosiah 18:30
BOOK OF MORMON MUSIC
“The Waters of Mormon”
Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 8.
Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment
“And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon; yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon – how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer! Yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to His praise forever!”
What power they knew, what sweet delight
On rising from that fountain pure,
When Alma lifted them washed clean
From Mormon’s waters, meek and sure.
Mosiah 20:1-
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Minerva Teichert
“At first glance, this scene appears to be a celebration of innocence and purity—beautiful Lamanite maidens adorned in white dresses and floral leis dance along the shimmering water’s edge. But a closer examination exposes an ominous situation. The sinister priests emerge– a faceless evil– to abduct their victims. Their operation is carried out quickly and quietly, for the maidens in front are unaware of what is happening behind them. Nor do they notice a man about to capture one of them. Another priest creeps through the bushes on the left to grab the legs of his unsuspecting victim. Tension is heightened by the backdrop of foliage and volcanic mountains, which allow no room for the maidens’ escape.”
Mosiah 27:11
BOOK OF MORMON ART
The Conversion of Alma and the Sons of Mosiah.
Gary L. Kapp
Much like the persecutor Saul in the New Testament, the Book of Mormon records that Alma and the sons of King Mosiah spent their days mocking and persecuting the believers in Christ. Their parents had prayed for them, and the result of those prayers is described in the Book of Mormon:
“And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood.”
The artist’s sister Janice Kapp Perry describes Brother Kapp’s experience in painting this picture, in an article she wrote for Meridian magazine. The painting is the 5th of 9 reproductions.
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Walter Rane
oil on panel
The Book of Mormon records the reaction of these young men to the angelic visitation:
“And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them.
“Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.”
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Walter Rane
Oil on board. Commissioned.
After the angelic visitation, Alma the Younger was struck dumb, and left in an unconscious state, to wrestle through his conversion from darkness to light. He must have looked like a dead person. The Book of Mormon records his father’s reaction to seeing his son in this state:
“And they rehearsed unto his father all that had happened unto them; and his father rejoiced, for he knew that it was the power of God.”
Mosiah 27:24
BOOK OF MORMON MUSIC
“I Am Born Now of God”
Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 9.
Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment
The Book of Mormon describes how Alma the Younger rejected the teachings of his father and rebelled against the Lord. After he and his wicked companions were visited by an angel, Alma was left unconscious for some time. During this period of apparent inactivity he repented of his sins, and when he arose, he exclaimed, “After wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God.”
I am born now of God, of the Spirit I’m born,
For I cried to Lord Jesus in pain.
Have mercy, I cried, blessed Jesus forgive;
Blessed Jesus, come shatter death’s chains!
Mosiah 27:35
BOOK OF MORMON ART
Alma and Sons of Mosiah Prepare for Mission
Sheri Doty
After Alma and the sons of Mosiah were converted to the Lord, the Book of Mormon says that “They traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people . . . Zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.”
This scripture study and preaching would ultimately lead to their preparation to serve a mission among the Lamanites.