Gary Ernest Smith - Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery Translating the Book of Mormon 35" x 41"

Gary Ernest Smith (1942-)
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery Translating the Book of Mormon, c1982

Oil on Canvas
Canvas: 35" x 41"
Frame: 41" x 47"

Signed Lower Right: Gary E Smith / ©

“These were the days never to be forgotten,” Oliver Cowdery said of his time as Joseph Smith’s scribe “under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven.” The translation of the ancient “record called ‘The Book of Mormon’” further enlarged Joseph’s understanding of how to receive revelation and established that “God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old.”

God gave Joseph Smith the gift and power to translate writings recorded centuries ago in a language of which Joseph had no knowledge. Recalled Joseph’s wife Emma, “No man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired.” Joseph translated the gold plates in less than three months.

“Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations,” Joseph taught, “and where is our religion? We have none.” In the Book of Mormon, the Lord said, “are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock.”

Literature:
Joseph Smith Papers, Histories Overview: "Joseph Smith Had Rare Insight into Gospel of John"
Church News, 14 August 2016 "Viewpoint: Testimonies of the Book of Mormon"
Note: All publications have used a rough painted study of this final painting. The final painting has never been on display, nor published. - the Second image is of the study - for reference only. 

Provenance:
The Artist
The Collection of Blain Hudson, Park City, Utah: from above 1982
The Collection of CJ Peterson, Orem, Utah: from above, 2020