Repartee Gallery

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	All Is Well Color Enhancement I personally hand paint on all of my color-enhanced prints. Each print is unique with its added original brush strokes, creating texture and color richness to key areas. My color enhancement creates the effect of an original oil painting. (See options...)


	Already To Harvest 1 NOW behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. 3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; 4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; 5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. 6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. 7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants \| Section 4:1 - 7) (See options...)


	Arriving In England The emigration, which consisted of 162 individuals, departed Copenhagen at 12:30 on the steamship "Rhoda." Elder J. Ahmanson was appointed leader of the company from Copenhagen to Liverpool by H. C. Haight, president of the Scandinavian Mission. The Saints were joyous and bid the Saints of Copenhagen a hearty farewell. After we had passed Dragor Elder J. A. (Johan August) Ahmanson called the brethren together below deck and gave the necessary instructions and teachings. He appointed Elders J.(Johannes) Larsen and J. (Johan) Svenson as his councilors and P. (Peter) Madsen as secretary. These were unanimously accepted; closed with prayer.) Saints from Denmark exiting ship "Rhoda" with baggage in tow early on a cloudy, windy rainy morning on April 29, 1856 at 6:00 am. (Description.... TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1856 Diary of Peter Madsen Tuesday, April 29,1856 . Weather: cloudy with rain and some blowing. At 6 o’clock in the morning the company went ashore. We were met by the brethren, Elder Culkon andElder Williams from Liverpool (See options...)


	Ask Of God (See options...)


	Assuming The Mantel With more than a decade since the last Solemn Assembly, I decided to try my newly honed portrait skills on a portrait of the new LDS Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. Here is a man of love, courage and conviction. A man who is a good example to those around him as well as millions throughout the world. I wanted to capture some of what I see in him. I searched many hours through videos and photographs until I finally found the perfect pose. I feel that this portrait effectively captures his character, the smile is not posed, it is natural, he has what I call, the "Monson Tilt", which is characteristic of President Monson, and his eyes are powerful, as would be any man who has been called by God to be a prophet, yet his face is kindly, depicting the love he has for those around him. I love and admire President Monson, and I am thankful for the talents which allow me to paint such a wonderful portrait of a great man. (See options...)


	Before The Snow Fell (See options...)


	Bodell Bodil Malene Mortensen was born in 1845 on the island ofMaribo, Denmark. The gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would not be preached in Denmark until the adoption of a constitution in 1849, which guaranteed religious freedom. The first missionaries arrived on June 14, 1850. Bodil's oldest sister, Anne Margrette, was the first in the family to accept the gospel. This decision was met with disapproval from her parents, but in time they too would investigate and join the church. The family had a great desire to gather with the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley, but they were too poor to emigrate together. In consequence Anne Margrette would emigrate in 1855; Bodil would emigrate in 1856 with family friends Jens and Elsie Nielson; and Bodil's parents Niels and Maren Kirstine, along with her brother Hans Peder and little sister Maren would emigrate in 1857. Although Jens and Elsie Nielson had money from the sale of their farm to travel by wagon, they decided to travel by handcart and share their proceeds to assist others without sufficient means. Thus, in 1856, Bodil would travel with Jens and Elsie Nielson and their son Niels to the Salt Lake Valley in the Willie handcart company. Many unforeseen events would occur along the way, which would delay this company and cause them to travel too late in the season. On October 19 the company was over 280 miles from the Salt Lake Valley, the last of their flour provisions had been issued and as they passed Ice Springs the snow began to fall. That evening they met members of the advanced rescue party, who offered hope that assistance was a day's pull away. The rescuers would continue on in their search for the Martin company. On October 20 the company awoke to four inches of snow on the ground and the last of the provisions purchased at Fort Laramie were rationed out to the starving saints. Because of the desperate conditions, Captain Willie and Joseph Elder left camp that morning to find the rescuers whom they miraculously found twenty-five miles away. Late in the evening of October 21 the rescue company arrived at the Willie camp with clothing, flour and onions. Words fail in describing the condition the saints were found in; sufficieth to say it was "enough to make the heavens weep." On October 22 eight of the fourteen rescue wagons continued east to find the Martin Company. The Willie Company traveled until they reached the base of Rock Ridge where many slept that evening directly on the ground with only a blanket to protect them from the elements. At about nine 0'clock the following morning the company ascended Rocky Ridge. It was a severe and extremely cold day; snow fell, fierce winds blew furiously biting at the flesh of the poorly dressed saints. The climb up Rocky Ridge was treacherous; the rugged terrain was covered with snow and ice. In their starving and weakened condition many would not arrive in camp until dawn on October 24. During this ordeal Jens Nielson's feet would become so frozen they became useless, he was unable to pull the cart any further. He pled with his wife Elsie to leave him on the trail and for her to go forward. Elsie could not leave him, she helped him into the handcart and with assistance from Bodil with Niels they made it into Rock Creek Hollow. Once in camp Bodil was asked to collect some firewood, she obediently set out I to fulfill her responsibility. Bodil never returned back to camp that night, she was found on the morning of the 24th leaning up against the wheel of a handcart, frozen to death, with the items she found for the fire clutched in her hands. She was buried along with little Niels and eleven others in a shallow grave in Rock I Creek Hollow. Jens later testified: 'No person can describe it, nor could it be comprehended or understood by any human living in this life, but those who were called to pass through it." The thought of these little ones fighting their way up and over Rocky Ridge under these conditions are difficult to imagine. But nevertheless what a powerful example they are. "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh asa child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. " Mosiah 3:19 (See options...)


	Brigham Young Academy As a BYU graduate, I learned to love this old building. My daughter now lives just down the street, and I think she is learning to love it too. (See options...)


	Brother Joseph's Revenge This painting illustrates the love Joseph had for children and the respectful love they returned. The prophet was not too busy to interact with even the smallest members of his following. I most want you to see how comfortable the children are with the prophet. They had no fear of him because they instinctively knew his love and concern for them. This side of Joseph is the one most easily forgotten. It is easy to remember Angel Moroni’s visit, the First Vision, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. What we forget is those events did not occupy every minute of Joseph’s life. He knew the value of "loosening the bow." He took time to enjoy life. Joseph exemplifies the scripture, "Men are that they might have joy." The children could have started this water fight, but I can almost guarantee who really did. (See options...)


	Brothers I began painting the life of the Prophet Joseph after hearing a song by Kenneth Cope, entitled Brothers. The song tells of the great love of Joseph and Hyrum. They were more than just brothers; they were the best of friends. They left this life together, sealing their testimonies with their own blood. The first painting I did of them was of their Martyrdom. It was not until the very end of the painting Joseph’s life that I realized I had never painted a picture that celebrated their lives together. Stick-pulling was a favorite pastime for Joseph, who was not quite as serious–minded as Hyrum. I chose to paint Hyrum with the upper hand, a tribute to the older brother. I can almost guess what Joseph would say about that. (See options...)


	Christ Appears In The Kirtland Temple On April 3, 1836, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were in the temple at Kirtland, Ohio. The occasion was that of a Sabbath day meeting. The Prophet prefaces his record of the manifestations with these words: "In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord's Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us." Doctrine and Covenants 110, gives the account of the vision they received. Original: oil, 82 x 58 inches, 2003. (See options...)


	Crossing The Sandridge When newly married Robert and Annie Brighton Thornley traveled from their home in northern Utah in 1859 to pick up supplies, one of their oxen gave out in an area called the Sandridge. They continued on for 20 miles (32 km) with Robert sharing the yoke with the healthy ox. When they arrived at Maughan’s Fort, the only food available was sugar beets, which the Thornleys then lived on during the winter. (See options...)


	Day Of God's Power Wilford Woodruff said of this experience: "While I was living in this cabin in the old barracks, we experienced a day of God’s power with the Prophet Joseph. It was a very sickly time and Joseph had given up his home in Commerce to the sick, and had a tent pitched in his door-yard and was living in that himself….Brother Joseph had waited on the sick, until he was worn out and nearly sick himself." "On the morning of the 22nd of July, 1839…he called upon the Lord in prayer, and the power of God rested upon him mightily, and as Jesus healed the sick around him in his day, so Joseph, the Prophet of God, healed all around on this occasion. He healed all in his house and door-yard; then, in company with Sidney Rigdon and several of the Twelve, he went through among the sick lying on the bank of the river, and he commanded them in a loud voice, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come up and be made whole, and they were all healed." "It was the greatest day for the manifestation of the power of God through the gift of healing since the organization of the Church." (See options...)


	Desires Of My Heart "After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God...I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me...When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other, 'This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!'" (Joseph Smith History 1:15-17) Original: oil, 24 x 48 inches, 2004. (See options...)


	Early Morning Visitor The Beehive House, Brigham Young's home in Salt Lake City, is a favorite of mine. At one time the home was used as a boarding house for young women working in Salt Lake. My mother spent several happy years living there. (See options...)


	Elect Lady Through my studies of Joseph Smith I have come to love and respect his beloved wife, Emma. The Lord said of Emma, "Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter;…thou art an elect lady, whom I have called…" - D & C 25: 1-4 Emma Smith has probably been judged and misjudged more than any other individual in Church History. It amazes me the even the mention of her name continues to stir such varied emotions. One cannot study the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith without wondering about this very private soul, Emma. I often wish that we had more information on their lives together, but when I think of how their lives have been opened to such scrutiny I am silently pleased for Emma that we do not. (See options...)


	Emma's Hymns Sometimes when callings come to us in the Church we are tempted to wonder how we can find the time. We are either raising young families, busy with careers, or caught up in the myriad of good things that take our time. When the Lord gave Emma the assignment to compile a hymnbook for the church she was busy raising her family and had difficult duties as the wife of the Prophet. How did Emma manage to accomplish all that was asked of her? The answer lies in humble prayer and the desire to accomplish righteousness. When we look at the good her work has done in bringing music and the Spirit to millions we see that there is no sacrifice in building the Kingdom that is too great when it is given with all of our heart to the Lord. (See options...)


	Emperor's Clothes Sketch (See options...)


	Ephraim K. Hanks - Obeying The Spirit In early October of 1856, Ephraim K. Hanks received a message from heaven. After a fishing trip to Utah Lake, he spent the night in Draper at the home of Gurney Brown. Soon after retiring to bed, but while still awake, a voice called him by name and said, "The handcart people are in trouble and you are wanted. Will you go and help them?" He answered, "Yes I will go." Hastening to Salt Lake City the next day, he was seen on his way over the east mountains with a wagon and supplies. Many other men were also called by Brigham Young to join in this rescue attempt. Many wagons "loaded to the bows" with food, blankets and clothes traveled several hundred miles east through severe storms and deep snow. Many eventually turned back, believing it to be an impossible mission. Ephraim was among those who chose to push on, trusting that if God calls, he will provide a way to those with faith. Near South Pass, Wyoming, he encountered a freezing blizzard. He and Reddick Allred waited out the storm for three days. The wagons were snowbound. Ephraim left Reddick to watch after the teams and wagons, while he saddled up and leading a pack horse continued forward, encountering snow three to four feet deep in places. One night he prayed for a buffalo, needing the meat and warm hide. Looking up from his prayer, he saw a buffalo bull fifty yards away, and downed it with one well placed shot from his rifle. God was near to his faithful servant. Ephraim cut the meat into long strips and loaded the horses with it. When he finally discovered the Martin handcart company, not far from Devil's Gate. The meat provided nourishment to the starved and freezing immigrants. Ephraim provided hope and help, promising them that wagons loaded with supplies were near at hand. He blessed them, anointing them with oil in the name of Jesus Christ. Many were healed instantly. With his hunting knife he amputated many toes, fingers, even hands, feet, and legs to save them from gangrene. They looked on him as an angel of mercy. Along with the other rescuers, Ephraim K. Hanks brought the survivors into Salt Lake, arriving the last day of November. More than 600 of these people owed their lives to these courageous men. The names of these men, including Ephraim Knowlton Hanks are still spoken of with reverence and deep respect. (See options...)


	Faith In Every Footstep (See options...)