“A Precious and Chosen Vessel”

This simple portrait of the Virgin Mary was inspired by the vision of the ancient prophet, Nephi.  Like his Old Testament predecessor who prophesied that "the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14), so too, Nephi was blessed to witness the Messiah's birth and mortal mission hundreds of years before the Savior's advent on Earth.  Nephi testifies: "I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God? And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh" (1 Nephi 11:13-18).  

Mary's peaceful expression evinces her purity as "a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God" (Alma 7:10).  It is also a reminder of the beauty inherent in the meek who follow her example and declare: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38), as well as her sacrifice of self wherein she, "kept all these things [sacred], and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).  The painting is intended as a reminder of the magnificence of God's tender mercies in sending His Son to Earth to atone for our sins.