I’d like to introduce my new artwork, and share the inspiration for it. 

In the Book of Mormon, there is a very odd and interesting story. Similar to Noah and his ark, it’s a poignant story about faith, journey, and stepping into the unknown. A prophet named Mahonri is tasked with getting his people across the ocean to a promised land. 

God directs him to build a set of very odd boats, with no sail, and no rudder. Boats designed to be able to be in and under the water. Boats without any controls. The people enter these boats, and are on the water for 344 days as the currents and winds carry them to the new land. 

We don’t know much more about this journey, we don’t know the feelings and thoughts of the people on these boats. I can’t begin to imagine the stress and the anxiety they felt as day after day went by. 

Honestly, I don’t even know how they had the faith to get on the boats. I feel I would have faltered at that moment. Giving up all control to God and the wind. Not knowing if I would survive, or ever see land again. 

I think God asks this of all of us at some time. He has a plan and a place for us to be. He has a glorious future waiting for us, but to get there we have to endure the journey, not knowing how or where we are going. 

The title of this new piece is “A perfect brightness” is a reference to this story and to our own journey through our own unknown depths. It’s a reference to hope and faith, and how even in the darkness, God gives us moments of peace and assurance.   I like to think that during their voyage there were times when there was some calm, and they could take a moment and look outside and drink in the glory of a sunset, painted there just for their eyes. Just a reminder that God was with them and they were going to be okay. 

I’ve certainly felt this peace, this warmth, this assurance in my dark times. In times of calm and silence. This perfect brightness of hope lights our way for the journey ahead, and gives us peace amidst the depths of the unknown.