“And He Shall Direct Thy Paths”
{ Lois }
Painted by Elspeth Young
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When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice...
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
The story behind And He Shall Direct Thy Paths
Symbolism in And He Shall Direct Thy Paths
The stairway behind the figure signifies this path of faith. In Proverbs we read that those who trust in the Lord and rely fully on His wisdom, and not their own understanding, will be directed in all their paths. The path of faith, referred to in scripture as a "straight and narrow path" (see 1 Nephi 8:20, 3 Nephi 13:14, Matthew 7:14) always leads upward to higher ground. In the words of the prophet Joseph Smith (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 348), we "ascend step by step."
Likewise, within this image, the staircase beyond the figure beckons the viewer's attention upward. But this path is not always perfectly clear to us at the outset of our journey, nor even during that journey. There are times of trial and testing; times when we must put our hand in the Lord's and trust to His guiding influence. Hence, the path beyond Lois is distinct and well-lit at some portions, but not at others. However, notwithstanding the darkness surrounding her, she is completely in the light. Within this piece, the light is symbolic of the Savior who is the Light of the World, "which giveth you light...[and] enlighteneth your eyes" (D&C 88:11). His light is mirrored in the faces of those who have "received his image in [their] countenance" (Alma 5:14). Here, that light enlivens the countenance of Lois.
Though not every stair tread is visible, the destination above the stairway symbolizes the way in which faith in the ordinances and covenants of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ helps us "see the end from the beginning" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "See the End from the Beginning," Liahona, May 2006, 42–45) "Looking forward" with an eye of faith, as the Book of Mormon prophet, Alma, instructs (see Alma 5:15), allows us to have our ultimate goal, that of eternal life and exaltation, always in sight, no matter where we are on the path toward it.
Lois' gaze is content and serene, indicating her trust in the Lord and His promises. Like Sarah and Abraham, she "judged him faithful who had promised" (Hebrews 11:11) and was willing to put her "hand into the hand of God" knowing that it would be "better than a light and safer than a known way" (In "The Gate of the Year," The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 2nd ed. (1953), 239.)
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© By Elspeth Young, All Rights Reserved. You may not print, copy, or reproduce this artwork or make derivative works from it without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. For permissions, please review our FAQ page.From the Newsroom
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We have framed our own artworks for more than 30 years, and during that time we have provided a variety of framing services to patrons upon request. For many reasons—including constant changes in the availability of moulding styles—we cannot offer off-the-shelf framing options or response times typically associated with such a service. Of necessity, all of our framing projects are aproached, priced, and billed as constuling projects... Read more »
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The New Testament volume features fifty six illustrations from the Artists of Al Young Studios, listed here under the Studios' fine art collections and portfolios to which they belong.
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Tags: A Damsel Came To Hearken, And He Shall Direct Thy Paths, She Worketh Willingly With Her Hands, Established In The Faith, And Martha Served, Go Forth To Meet The Bridegroom, 3rd-party Publications, 2014, News
By Al R. Young Two artworks by the artists of Al Young Studios are featured in the 28th Annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah Exhibition.
Elspeth's painting of Lois, from the New Testament, received an Honorable Mention.
Unto the City of David by Ashton was among the artworks accepted for the annual exhibition hosted by the Springville Museum of Art.
Frames for the artworks were prepared by Al Young Studios.
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Tags: Unto The City Of David, And He Shall Direct Thy Paths, 2013, Exhibits, News
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The original image is available for sale, please contact us for details... Read more »
Tags: And He Shall Direct Thy Paths, 2009, People and Stories of the Bible
By Al R. Young And He Shall Direct Thy Paths is the newest oil painting to be added to the line of original artworks from Al Young Studios.
Click here to see a larger image of the new painting, read the artist's commentary, and look at the selection of prints--if any are available.... Read more »
Tags: And He Shall Direct Thy Paths, 2009, Elspeth C. Young, Legacy, News, Oil paintings and prints, Women of the Bible Art Collection