Layton Temple Baptistry, the Art, AND "Look to God and Live"

As a new temple worker, I continue to be amazed at the "behind the scenes", or the mechanics and many details that help a temple function orderly and properly. The House of the Lord is indeed a house of order. I knew it. I've seen it as a patron. But as a temple worker I am getting a closer look and I see and understand at a different level. I rejoice and am grateful the Lord's house is this way.

Layton temple baptistry, image downloadeded from https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/layton-utah-temple-ready-public-tours

My temple assignment for August (2024) has been serving in the baptistry. I get to serve Thursday morning - the first shift. My very first day in the baptistry, and during the first few minutes of learning my assignment, it was a bit overwhelming and rushed. Patrons were ready to come and perform baptism ordinances for their decesased family members. Myself and few other workers were doing our best to learn our part to add to the order and flow of the baptistry, plus striving to look confident in our assignmnet while helping the patrons have a good experience. Not flawless, but I think we succeeded.

Along with the order at the temple, I am continuing to learn how revelatory the temple is. Such was the case this first day in the baptistry for me.

Baptisty image of the Layton Utah temple on the west wall. Downloaded from https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/layton-utah-temple-ready-public-tours

Earlier in May, during the temple open house, I saw the baptistry. But now I have the awesome opportunity of a closer, longer look at the large murals postitioned at the top of each of the walls. I was really drawn to the one of Moses holding up the brass serpent. "Didn't I just read something about this in my recent studies in the book of Alma?", I thought to myself. Pondering the painting, while also thinking to myself, "if the Israelites would have simply looked, they could have been healed". The healing was right there, within sight, they just needed to look. Look! The depressed, unhappy, hurting people seen in the picture, who were choosing not to look, was sad to me.

My thoughts in the temple lead me to:

1. Find out who the artist is, what the painting is called, and to learn more about it and the other murals on the baptistry walls.

2. Return to my scriptures to find those verses I read that I felt was connecting me to this painting. 

Scriptures and Teachings:

Here is one of the verses that I had remembered reading, from Alma 37:46: 

"O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever."

Trust Him, come to Him, look to God and live. It's simple, and yet we often allow the easiness of the way to trip us up. We are learning, so we trip again and again. Even in our tripping and falling, forgetting, and being slothful, He is always there. Waiting and hoping for us to look up to Him. Why? So He can heal us. So He can help us on our journey. Our journey in life is better with Jesus Christ and His Spirit as our guides. Let's turn and look to Him quickly.

This online, excellent resource is a great explanation:  To Live, Look to God and Trust in Him --https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/04/united-states-and-canada-section/to-live-look-to-god-and-trust-in-him?lang=eng

A few days earlier, I also remembered seeing this posted on the Gospel Living App, "Don't make life harder than it needs to be", which was also connecting my thoughts back to the painting. 

Don’t make life harder than it needs to be. The Savior wants to heal us!

Scripture of the Day: “O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?” —Alma 33:21

In this verse, Alma is talking about a time in the Old Testament when some of the Israelites were bitten by poisonous snakes!

Under the Lord’s direction, Moses made a snake out of brass. He held it up and told the people they would be healed if they looked at it. Easy enough, right? But some people were so stubborn and unbelieving that they refused to look! And they died.

(By the way, we know that last part—the fact that some people refused to look—from the Book of Mormon! That detail wasn’t in the Bible. Another example of how both books work together.)

Anyway, the story sounds ridiculous when it’s summarized like that. Imagine you’re dying but you won’t accept the cure because … it’s too easy? What kind of sense does that make??

But... then again... we’re all guilty of doing that spiritually sometimes, aren’t we? The Savior offers us joy and eternal life if we follow His example, and yet how often do we make things harder for ourselves by not “looking” to Him?

Choose to look to the Savior and live!

It is such a better way to live. Jesus Christ is the light, the truth, the way, and He knows the way. Coming unto Him is always the best choice.

 

The Art:

Searching on the Church website, I learned that the artist of the murals is A. B. Wright. The same murals are in the Cardston Albert temple baptisty too. (The Cardston temple was announced June 27, 1913 and dedicated August 26, 1923.) Thanks to this 1978 Ensign article, "Paintings from the Alberta Canada Temple", by Paul L. Anderson, I learned a lot.

The article states: "Paintings in the...baptistry were the work of A. B. Wright (1875–1952), professor of art at the LDS University in Salt Lake City. Known for his landscapes and portraits, he had studied in Paris at Academie Julian and the Ecole des Beaux Arts."

"Moses Leads Israel" is the name of  A. B. Wright's painting shown in the baptistry of the Alberta Temple and now the Layton Temple. When the Israelites were poisoned, Moses placed a brazen serpent on a pole - a symbol of Jesus Christ's Atonement, His crucifixion, and Christ's power to heal (see also 2 Nephi 25:20).

From the 1978 article mentioned above ("Paintings from the Alberta Canada Temple"), I took screen shots of the images, cropped them, and here they are below.  A. B. Wright did more, but these are all of his images that are in the Layton Temple baptistry.

I am glad I put in the effort to discover and learn these things. It has been revelatory for me and is another witness that Jesus Christ is all throughout His house. My time serving in the baptistry of the Layton temple has become that more sweet. I rejoice in the temple. Plus, observing and appreciating the talents, skills, artistic abilities of others is also something to rejoice in. This experience of mine is worth recording and something I hope to always remember. 

If you want to learn more about baptismal ordinances for deceased family members, you can find more here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/baptisms-for-the-dead?lang=eng#title1

It matters tremendously what we do in relation to those who have gone before, because they live today as spirits and shall live again as immortal souls, and that because of Jesus Christ. We believe His words when He said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). By the baptisms we perform in behalf of the dead, we testify that “as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. …

“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:22, 25–26).

By Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Why Do We Baptize for the Dead?"

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2009/03/why-do-we-baptize-for-the-dead?lang=eng

Have you ever done temple baptisms?  You might be interested in these details about the revelations regarding baptisms for the dead. The following comes from a recent article posted on the Gospel Living App. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/have-you-ever-done-temple-baptisms?lang=eng&cardid=00000190-bc11-d709-a9db-ff59751b0000

The following are notes for other baptistry area paintings I want to look into.

I love the painting behind the desk where patrons print family names or are issued the names to do baptisms for. It's striking!! I felt something special and liked it the first time I saw it during the temple open house. The lions almost look lifelike. Daniel is calm and peaceful, he knows who He can trust. Check out the lighting around Daniel while he prays and knees amongst lions in the den. Beautiful! The artist is Ken Corbett.

https://youtu.be/QHfqxwvj2L4?si=fFiksFBrNDNoOP6w - this is a video interview with Ken Corbett and this painting of Daniel in the lions den. 

There is another large, beautiful picture across from the family name desk. I have very little details about it. Some say it is of a George Washington Hill, a pioneer leader who helped teach and Baptize many Native Americans in Northern Utah. 

The "Liahona" and Church Magazines

I love these magazines! They have served and blessed me well over the years.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have enjoyed the Church magazines. It was exciting when the "The Children’s Friend" magazine arrived in the mail each month.

I have memories of these magazines being organized by years in magazine boxes on our family's bookshelf in the basement. If an assignment was given to speak in church, the pre-internet way, that I recall, was to go to the December issue of the "Ensign" and look up your assigned topic in the back index. (Can you see why having many boxes with years’ worth of magazines was a help and an advantage? 😊) 

A few weeks ago, while reading the heading for Alma 37, I had to pause at the connection I was seeing. It hadn't occurred to me before, because it was only in 2021 when the "Ensign" was changed to the "Liahona" magazine. (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-magazines-2021). 

The Liahona, mentioned in the Book of Mormon, was a brass ball, a type of compass. It gave spiritual instruction to Lehi and his followers when they were righteous. Today, the “Liahona” magazine, published and printed in many different languages, serves as a guide and has spiritual instructions, inspiration, and more. Yes, even words of Christ that are leading me and guiding me back to Him and my Father in Heaven.

Taking a closer look at the covers of the recent issues, I was happy to discover the purpose of each magazine is clearly stated on each magazine.

"Liahona" - Pointing Us All to Jesus Christ

"For the Strength of Youth" - Finding Joy in Christ

"Friend" - Following Jesus Together

These magazines have inspired me and helped to build my faith and testimony of Jesus Christ over the years. The content has helped me in many of my church assignments, and has been a great guide and a resources of truth as I strive to live my life better.

I have memories of making some of the recipes or crafts outlined in the "Friend" magazine. Along with the word puzzles and other "Fun Stuff." As I became a teenager, I remember spending many Sunday afternoons lying on the couch reading stories from the "New Era".  As a young mom it was relaxing reading from the "Ensign" while feeding my babies. I have spent much time cutting out and laminating some of the pictures, articles or activities to be used for Family Home Evening lessons, Primary Sharing Times, or activities for our quiet bag for Church. It even was exciting when my own daughter and her cousin were published in one of the issues.

Each magazine has content that leads us to Jesus Christ. Certainly, a modern-day guide for people today, filled with words and testimonies of Christ, words from today’s prophet sand apostles, and much more. What a blessing!

Did you know you can now subscribe to one or to all of these printed magazines at no cost?  Of course they are all digitally accessible on the Gospel Library app too, including the "Ensign" magazine all the way back to 1971!!!  But you may also subscribe to get the printed magazines delivered to your home at no cost (www.churchofjesuschrist.org/liahona). How awesome is that? I think it's awesome! I love having these printed resources in my home. 

Magazines of the Church are a “valuable resource for learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ and feeling a sense of belonging in His Church,” the First Presidency said in a letter to all Latter-day Saints. “Our desire is that members everywhere will subscribe and welcome this faith-sustaining influence into their hearts and homes.”

As a side note... Emily and her cousin, Talin, were featured in the May 2004 issue of The Friend magazine. FUN! 

Finally, as I get ready to publish this post, my youngest daughter, Eliza is serving a mission. She was transferred to Brussels Belguim a few days ago. I recall seeing an article in the "Friend" magazine a few months ago (June 2024) that gave me a little more information about her new location. Exciting! 

Yes, these magazines have and continue to bless my life in so many ways!! 

"Come Unto Jesus" in the Layton Utah Temple

I really like this painting by Michael Malm - "Come Unto Jesus". It hangs in the chapel of the Layton temple. A much, much larger version hangs on the second-floor wall of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. 

Another painting I can see every time I go to the Layton temple is "His Return" by Dan Wilson. It hangs in the foyer near the recommend desk, or entrance into the temple. 

Aren't these paintings exquisite?

Do you see the angels? In both of these paintings? 

I like the light around Jesus in the one painting and the majesty and gentleness of Him in the red robe in the other image. I can see so many messages in both. 

Recently, while reading this quote from Elder Neil L. Andersen, both of these paintings came to my mind: 

"In this day of confusion and commotion, I testify that the temple is His holy house and will help preserve us, protect us, and prepare us for the glorious day when, with all His holy angels, our Savior returns in majesty, power, and great glory."

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Temples dotting the earth are His holy houses. Jesus Christ will someday return to the earth in great glory, and we will see Him. I'm looking forward to that day. 

https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/layton-utah-temple/photographs/