The Impression of Love

The Impression of Love

Oil on Canvas 30x40

By: McKenzie S. Paxton

 The Savior said “For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” ₁

 Since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ many may feel that the power, teachings, and love of the Savior left with Him. This cannot be further from the truth. As stated above, the Savior will never forget or leave us. In the spring of 1820 He and The Father appeared to a boy named Joseph Smith which led to a restoration of all that was lost. A prophet and apostles were called to lead the church through Jesus Christ just like in times of old.

 A little less than 200 years after the restoration I had the privilege of serving a mission and teaching people from all over the world about these men who were around during the beginning years of this restoration. I was blessed to share their stories almost daily for 18 months in a special little place called Kirtland, Ohio. In this town many incredible things happened that laid the foundation of Jesus Christ’s church. These men and women were taught and refined by the Savior so they could be the leaders of His church.

 There is a very important room that was set aside as a place called by God as “Mine House,” “The House of the Lord,” and “a House of God.” This place was found in an upper room of the Newel K. Whitney & co. Store and was called by the saints “The School of the Prophets.” This is where the apostles of Jesus Christ as well as other leaders would gather to learn. While gathering in this room the men were refined and made sacrifices in order become clean and worthy vessels for the Lord.

 In the Doctrine and Covenants it explains “Verily, thus saith the Lord; It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.”₂ Many of the men that gathered in this room were men that forsook their sins, called on and obeyed the Savior, and kept the commandments. Therefore, the promise the Lord makes in this scripture was fulfilled for those men while pondering and praying in the School of the Prophets. John Murdock testifies “…About midday the visions of my mind were opened, and eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely… and while I was endeavoring to comprehend the whole personage from head to feet it slipped from me.  But it left on my mind the impression of love, for months that I never felt before to that degree.”₃

 This experience is what is portrayed in my painting. I testify that the Savior leads and guides this church. As I felt the sacred spirit of the school of prophets there is no doubt in my mind that He lives today. As I testified of Him and heard others from all over the world testify of Him I felt Him there, and saw Him in the eyes and actions of those that I met during those 18 months.

 That "impression of love" that John Murdock speaks of can be taken two ways. It is the everlasting power and love that comes from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that when truly felt by one can never be forgotten. I believe it is also the symbol of the physical impression on the Savior’s hand that was received in the greatest act of love to save all mankind.

 The things I learned while serving in Kirtland and while working on this painting over the past 9 months are simple but so deeply embedded in my heart. He lives, He loves us, and He leads us still.

1.       1 Nephi 21:15-16

2.       D&C 93:1

3.       An abridged record of the life of John Murdock, church archives