Angela Johnson, sculptor
After 20 years as a professional opera singer Angela Johnson decided to try sculpting. In 1997 she bought a block of clay and some simple tools. Four hours later she had created a piece of artwork of a young girl.
Learning from doing she eventually began creating representations of Christ. "No aspect of my life is more precious to me than the gospel of Christ," said Sister Johnson. "It is the anchor of my life."
This exhibit displays 13 sculptural masterpieces that depict scenes from the life of the Savior with emphasis on the effects of His healing influence on some of those He met and blessed during his life.
Angela said she felt compelled to create. "I felt divine help that I can't logically explain."
She is a mother and grandmother and is from Gilbert, Arizona.
Learning from doing she eventually began creating representations of Christ. "No aspect of my life is more precious to me than the gospel of Christ," said Sister Johnson. "It is the anchor of my life."
This exhibit displays 13 sculptural masterpieces that depict scenes from the life of the Savior with emphasis on the effects of His healing influence on some of those He met and blessed during his life.
Angela said she felt compelled to create. "I felt divine help that I can't logically explain."
She is a mother and grandmother and is from Gilbert, Arizona.
Be Thou Clean
"And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord if thou wilt, thou cans't make me clean.
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him." Luke 5:12-13
Outward sickness has obvious need of healing. But what of the sicknesses of the heart: loneliness, sin, fear, anger? Each of us like the man afflicted with leprosy, must fall in humility at the feet of Jesus and plead for healing.
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him." Luke 5:12-13
Outward sickness has obvious need of healing. But what of the sicknesses of the heart: loneliness, sin, fear, anger? Each of us like the man afflicted with leprosy, must fall in humility at the feet of Jesus and plead for healing.
When Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him, a woman - a sinner - came to Jesus and anointed His feet and washed them with her tears. Simon, knowing this woman's sins, wondered how Jesus could allow the woman to touch him. Jesus' response to Simon is a lesson to us all:
"Seest thou this woman?... Thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head…. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment… Her sins, which are many, are forgiven.... And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Luke 7:44, 46-47, 50
"Seest thou this woman?... Thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head…. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment… Her sins, which are many, are forgiven.... And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Luke 7:44, 46-47, 50
"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." - John 11:21-25
"A certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:38-42
Through his loving words to Martha, Christ invites each of us to refocus on what is most needful. This "good part" cannot be taken from us.
Through his loving words to Martha, Christ invites each of us to refocus on what is most needful. This "good part" cannot be taken from us.
Oh My Father
"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12
"Messiah though He was, He was profoundly conscious of His dependence upon the Father, whose work He had come to do." James E. Talmage
Jesus' meekness and all-consuming love for His Father in Heaven is the perfect example for us in our own upward reaching. Prayer is the loving communion between a perfect, loving Father and His child.
"Messiah though He was, He was profoundly conscious of His dependence upon the Father, whose work He had come to do." James E. Talmage
Jesus' meekness and all-consuming love for His Father in Heaven is the perfect example for us in our own upward reaching. Prayer is the loving communion between a perfect, loving Father and His child.
Because of Love
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
"Father save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour… And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:27, 32
"The Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people." Alma 7:13
"The Lord your Redeemer suffered… the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. Doctrine & Covenants 18:11
All this Jesus did because of love.
"Father save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour… And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:27, 32
"The Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people." Alma 7:13
"The Lord your Redeemer suffered… the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. Doctrine & Covenants 18:11
All this Jesus did because of love.
Come Unto Me
As the Apostle Paul taught, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6
The Savior of mankind personified the divine attributes of strength, love, compassion, and mercy. All who come unto Him will feel His tender love for them.
The Savior of mankind personified the divine attributes of strength, love, compassion, and mercy. All who come unto Him will feel His tender love for them.
God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820. Joseph describes this experience in his own words: I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other -- This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! - Joseph Smith History 1:16-17
"And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." - Matthew 14: 26-27
Fear is one of the most powerful and common human emotions. But it is the opposite of faith. Faith in Jesus Christ gives us strength to face and conquer the challenges life brings. Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him, knowing that even though you do not understand all things, He does.
Fear is one of the most powerful and common human emotions. But it is the opposite of faith. Faith in Jesus Christ gives us strength to face and conquer the challenges life brings. Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him, knowing that even though you do not understand all things, He does.
"O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." - 3 Nephi 10:6
Will we have the humility and wisdom to live so that we can know the exquisite joy of being "gathered" by Christ?
Will we have the humility and wisdom to live so that we can know the exquisite joy of being "gathered" by Christ?
"Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? …But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her... And they...being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one... When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. - John 8:4-7, 9-11
After His resurrection Jesus appeared to the apostles on several occasions. The first time, the apostle Thomas was not present, and he refused to believe that Jesus had been resurrected until he could see and touch Him himself. When Thomas finally did see Jesus, the Savior taught an important lesson: "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. - John 20:29
One day we will see our Savior face to face, but until then He asks us to reach out to Him in faith and believe.
One day we will see our Savior face to face, but until then He asks us to reach out to Him in faith and believe.
Free To Choose
"Therefore, cheer up you hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." - 2 Nephi 10:23
Each of us starts life in a family (center). Regardless of our circumstances, the choices we make then lead us into paths of darkness or light.
The figures on the downward path of darkness represent Shame, Repentance, Despair, and Pride.
The figures on the upward path of light represent Bearing One Another's Burdens, Joy in Christ, Feasting upon the Word, Enduring to the End, and Marriage is Ordained of God.
Each of us starts life in a family (center). Regardless of our circumstances, the choices we make then lead us into paths of darkness or light.
The figures on the downward path of darkness represent Shame, Repentance, Despair, and Pride.
The figures on the upward path of light represent Bearing One Another's Burdens, Joy in Christ, Feasting upon the Word, Enduring to the End, and Marriage is Ordained of God.
