Gary Ernest Smith - Elijah Restores the Power to Seal Families for Eternity 1980 41" x 35"

Gary Ernest Smith (1942-)
Elijah Restores the Power to Seal Families for Eternity, 1980

Oil on Canvas
Canvas: 41” x 35”
Frame: 49” x 42”

Signed Lower Right: Gary E Smith ©

Note: The Kirtland Temple Visitors Center has a print of this painting on display. This is the Original painting and has never been on public display before.

Jesus Christ appears to Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery and restores the Sealing Powers in 1836.

God “has promised us great things; yea, even a visit from the heavens,” Joseph Smith prophesied in 1833. Three years later, on Easter Sunday, the resurrected Savior appeared to the Prophet in the Kirtland Temple and announced, “I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.” This beautiful painting depicts this vision.

“After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened,” and at the Lord’s direction the ancient prophets Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared, one by one, to the Prophet Joseph and Oliver Cowdery and committed the “keys of this dispensation” to carry forward “ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world.”

With these keys, the “power to seal on earth and in heaven,” we can be united with our Father in Heaven as families for eternity and fulfill the promise “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.”

Scripture References:
Malachi 4:5–6; Matthew 17:1–3; Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16

Literature:
Gospel Art Story Kit: Image # 417

Provenance:
The Artist
The Collection of Blain Hudson, Park City, Utah: from above 1980
The Collection of CJ Peterson, Orem, Utah: from above, 2020