Joseph Smith’s spiritual epistemology was experiential. He invited others to know the things of God, first-hand, as he had. Experience was key to knowledge.  He taught, “Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.” His pinnacle practice, the temple endowment ceremony, typifies this spiritual epistemology—ritually experiencing what prophets actually experience to come into the exalted presence of God. Joseph was a generous revelator.  He didn’t just saw, “I saw God,” but “you can too.” The Lord through him revealed: “Sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, in his own way, and according to his own will” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:68; see also 93:1).  

This painting seeks to express Joseph Smith’s participative spiritual invitation to come to know God for ourself. Even the frame suggests a personal experience. Hand painted and finished by me, it is three dimensional, bringing the woods to life. Joseph’s hand invites the viewer into the grove with him, his blue jacket suggesting heaven. The divine vision of God in the yellow fire is obscured by a large tree, symbolic of the temporal shortcomings that get in the way of communing with the divine. The viewer is on the opposite side of a small creek. Will we take his hand in faith, cross the threshold, and come and see for ourselves?
 
 
Painting is 31x20, oil on board (2025)
Comes in a three dimentional resin over wood, hand-finished frame that is 4" wide (8" on the peak crown) and 3" thick (42"x27.5" outside framed dimensions)
 
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