“The Covenant of Peace”

The Bible contains several references to the covenant of peace, including Ezekiel 37: 26-27, a passage suggesting the blessings of the House of the LORD: Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore...I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Vaughn J. Featherstone explained the following concerning latter-day offerings that we can make as we strive to share in a covenant of peace with the Prince of Peace: We may offer a peace offering as we express our gratitude for His bounteous blessings...The Atonement lifts us to a level of opportunity to become joint heirs with Christ and to be exalted with the blessings of "eternal lives.

In creating this painting, the artist was inspired by three things: First, to create an image that might bring some measure of peace and comfort to the people of Paris who have been greatly besieged in recent months and years.  Second, to celebrate the families who have played pivotal roles in promulgating the gospel throughout France, and the artist was fortunate to find a model who is not only French, but is a descendant of two of the families that have made great sacrifices in helping to establish the latter-day Kingdom of God in that part of the world.  Third, to recognize the contribution that Paris has made in furthering art$mdash;particularly Temple art$mdash;because the region provided inspiration and served as a training ground for nineteenth century LDS art missionaries who studied and practiced there.  For example, the figure in the painting suggests the features of Harriet Hattie Richards, who studied art in France in the late 1800s with John Harwood, whom she subsequently married.  The couple returned to France throughout their married lives to bring back greater competency and understanding of art to the United States.

The water represents Living Water and the peace we receive from it.  The roses represent the tender mercies of God in each of our lives, as well as reinforcing the theme of Isaiah 54:10, that although thorns may come our way, the Lord always provides blossom-like kindnesses and blessings to offset them.

The model is portrayed in an interpretation of the traditional costume of Île-de-France, the region in which Paris is located.