families in covered wagons trekking along a trail, in the sky in the middle is a figure in white hands outstretched, on the left side in the sky are the saints being chased, killed, the right side in the clouds are temples and majestic buildingsPrevious Image: Think Temple, Think Family!Next Image: Christ in Gethsemane

The Journey of Faith

James Olson (1931– )

Medium

United States
ca. 2006
Oil

“This painting was conceived many years ago but finished in 2005. It is intended to testify of our heritage through the trials, faith, perseverance, and vision of our pioneers. The composition is executed within the golden mean—the perfect rectangle. The afflictions of the Saints being driven from their burning homes are depicted. The figure with the torch is changed into smoke. The journey is continued on to the horizon. The temple is placed within a man’s vision of the city of God, seen through a veil of clouds. Christ and the Holy Ghost light the way and gladden the hearts of the Saints. The trail disappears into the far distance, beyond life, and it is picked up again leading to the temple and the eternal city with its twelve portals.”