GALLERY
Anguish, Plea, Light, Liberate
This bas relief depicts Joseph Smith at age fourteen in the Sacred Grove when he’s praying vocally for the first time amidst all his anxieties to know which church to join. This sequence begins at the bottom where Joseph in anguished darkness is in the bondage of a spirt that seizes him, binds his tongue, and dooms him with a feeling of destruction. While exerting all his powers to plea with God to liberate him out of the power of this unseen enemy, he sees a pillar of light, looks up and sees two personages, God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. Here Joseph learns mankind is created in the image of God exemplifying the point, all are alike unto God. This sculpture is an expression in form of a common adolescent struggle that progresses from darkness to light. The anguished face of hopelessness fades as he looks up toward the emerging light. This event of Joseph departing from the presence of all evil into the presence of all good is an invitation for all of us to turn away from taxing negativity energy that always takes from us and choose faith in order to partake of God’s goodness that gives eternally. Joseph Smith is an example of someone many wouldn’t expect God to answer – a young, uneducated and insignificant farm boy. However, He Inviteth All, Even a Farm Boy! Joseph Smith’s experience is evidence of God’s desire to speak to all of His children!
Baptism of Jesus Christ
This 14 foot wide sculpture is in the Indianapolis Indiana Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Carmel, Indiana. I had a spiritual confirmation when I sculpted the tilt of John the Baptist’s head. I felt his head needed to bow to represent the reverence John the Baptist felt for his and our Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he, John the Baptist, had devoted his whole life to prepare others for receiving. I felt a burning feeling the Holy Spirit was pleased with that decision. During the design process of the is piece, various symbols helped me find solutions for my own struggles. While sculpting this panel, I repeatedly found my own need for renewal in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As with the act of baptism I repeatedly needed to surrender my, anxieties, frustrations, fears, hurt and inadequacies I felt as a sculptor; I needed to let these struggles be washed away. My hope is that others will find the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ available to them also. I testify this really works if we humbly ask for His help!
And Christ Did Heal His Other Sheep
This sculpture depicts the faith of a loving mother seeking divine healing for her son. Many sacred spaces have symbolic staircases exemplifying our efforts towards divine progression. The top of these steps represents a temple altar, which can be an experience as well as a location when sincere prayers are offered there. The devotion brought there will determine the blessings received. At the edge of her capabilities and in the acknowledgement of her limitations, the mother falls to her knees in prayer to receive healing and solace. At the altar is healing solace for all of us from our Savior, Jesus Christ. There were times while sculpting this piece that I felt I had done all I could do and had come to my altar’s edge – exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. I had done all I could do and learned I am much like the mother in this sculpture. I thank the Lord when I was at my edge, there was divine help in all areas of need when I could do more.
Articles of Faith
Growing up here in Indiana I continually faced misconceptions of my faith. These experiences cause a desire to express my beliefs in a significant way. In March of 2007 I had a strong desire to to do something to express an unwavering testimony that I share with millions of my faith when I heard someone in media misrepresent the “Thirteen Articles of Faith.” So, a few days later while I was sitting in fast and testimony meeting and listening to a member testify of her faith, out of nowhere I pictured a bold sculpted fourteen-foot doorway with panels depicting these Articles of Faith. I had a rough sketch drawn by the end of that hour. When I read the “Articles of Faith” I can almost hear Joseph Smith say, “We believe as in old!” expressing the overarching point that this is the continuation of Christ’s church in the last days. I have increasingly felt it my responsibility to tell of our beliefs in images so that "he who runs may read.” When designing the door, I took a step back and observed patterns in the Lord’s work. These patterns demonstrated consistency in old and new dispensations. So, each panels represent an Article of Faith with a parallel pattern found in the gospel. The duality of each panel illustrates patterns of old dispensations paralleled with our modern dispensation. 2 Corinthians 13:1 “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established”. The labyrinth depicts the journey of an individual from the departure of the presence of God and returning to His presence. There are 26 historical accounts depicted in these 13 panels with Christ depicted 10 times on the doorway demonstrating even more of our faith in Christ. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found a third of U.S. adults say Mormons are not a Christian religion and an additional 17% are unsure whether Mormons are Christian. My desire is that the doorway will more easily clear up misconceptions and provide a new perspective of this restored gospel to many.
Article of Faith 2 (Left)
In each Article of Faith panel, we see the dual patterns of old dispensations paralleled with our later-day dispensation. In this second panel Adam on the left and an ordinary individual on the right is seen bowing in parallel offering prayer and a desire to be “at one with” the Lord Jesus Christ who is seen in the background. Notice how the vanishing point lines of the altars in both Articles of Faith 2 & 3 panels direct our eyes toward the background to significant events in the Garden of Gethsemane, Golgotha and the empty Garden Tomb. These three places from left to right in the background depict a timeline reading where the ultimate sacrifice or atonement was made so we may repent and overcome spiritual and physical death with the rest of the sons and daughters of Adam & Eve. -Jacob E. Dobson
Article of Faith 3 (Right)
On the left we see two of the Lord’s disciples Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are covering the body of Christ with white linen symbolizing purity. On the right two priesthood holders are covering the sacrament or symbols of Christ’s body, the bread & wine/water, with white linen. Notice how the vanishing point lines of the altars in both Articles of Faith 2 & 3 panels direct our eyes toward the background to significant events in the Garden of Gethsemane, Golgotha and the empty Garden Tomb. These three places from left to right in the background depict a timeline reading where the ultimate sacrifice or atonement was made so we may repent and overcome spiritual and physical death with the rest of the sons and daughters of Adam & Eve.
And Christ Did Heal His Other Sheep
This sculpture depicts the faith of a loving mother seeking divine healing for her son. Many sacred spaces have symbolic staircases exemplifying our efforts towards divine progression. The top of these steps represents a temple altar, which can be an experience as well as a location when sincere prayers are offered there. The devotion brought there will determine the blessings received. At the edge of her capabilities and in the acknowledgement of her limitations, the mother falls to her knees in prayer to receive healing and solace. At the altar is healing solace for all of us from our Savior, Jesus Christ. There were times while sculpting this piece that I felt I had done all I could do and had come to my altar’s edge – exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. I had done all I could do and learned I am much like the mother in this sculpture. I thank the Lord when I was at my edge, there was divine help in all areas of need when I could do more.
Indianapolis, Indiana
(317) 658-2027
info@jacobdobson.com