Ours for Eternity

Ours for Eternity

This painting is one that is filled with miracles and tender mercies. It will forever be a sweet reminder to me of the divinity of our Heavenly Fathers hand. This all started in Kirtland Ohio, I was serving a mission for the LDS church at the Historic Kirtland Visitor Center. It was there that I was reconnected with an old friend and religion professor. I had come to find out that he recently moved to a completely different state while I was serving my mission so it would have been extremely hard for me when I returned home to ever find him or get in touch with him again. We were both completely amazed that we found each other. We talked quite a bit after the tour and we ended up talking about my art. In my scriptures I kept a picture of my painting "He that is without Sin" and I felt like I should give that picture that I had with me my entire mission to this dear friend. I wrote my information on the back and that was pretty much the end of it. (I had no idea how largely that impression to give my picture to him was influenced by the Spirit.)

Fast forward to maybe four months later I was in my room painting when I received a call from this same dear friend. He said:

"McKenzie, I would like to tell you a story... This last weekend my son and daughter-in-law gave birth to their first son, our fifth grandson. Unfortunately, he only lived about 8 hours and then returned home. Needless to say, we have grieved tremendously over their loss. As I contemplated what I could do to help them in their grief, a thought came to mind:

Father, this child we commend to thee

With hearts that are saddened,

But also gladdened,

That he’s ours for eternity.

With the thought came a picture of four parental hands lifting a child swaddled in a blanket being handed upward to hands coming down from heaven. Then I thought of your picture, and your beautiful portrayal of the Savior’s hands. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have McKenzie paint the picture that I saw in my mind’s eye..?"

My heart broke for him, but at the same time I couldn't help but be completely amazed at Heavenly Father's Majesty. How beautiful His plan is and how blessed we are to have an understanding of this plan. I was then greatly humbled by the opportunity to serve my friend, his family, and to be an instrument in helping others feel Heavenly Father's love for them. This is what I have always wanted to do with my art. I have always dreamed of putting this talent that I love with every fiber of my being completely and fully in God's hands so that I can serve and lift others by doing what I love.

Though this painting is signed with my initials I cannot take credit for it (and I feel the same way about "He that is Without Sin".) Yes there are plenty of imperfections and I will gladly take credit for those, but I truly feel that I was blessed with help from Heaven to complete this piece for this sweet family.

This painting is a symbol of sacrifice. It is a symbol of the things that we sometimes have to give up, even if they are the things we love the most. It is a symbol of the price we sometimes have to pay, but the peace of knowing that whatever it is we give we will be rewarded ten fold in the eternities. And most of all this painting is a symbol of our Savior. Who was given to the world by perfect Heavenly Parents, to an imperfect world. The greatest sacrifice that has ever been made. The Condescension of God. The greatest gift for each and everyone of us.

So that we can be His for eternity.