The Veil O’er the Earth is Beginning to Burst by Alice Abrams
This piece came about because of a number of questions about the first vision I started asking myself. I was tired of seeing the same three figure pieces of art that all seemed to tell the exact same story. I thought there must be more we don’t know! Where was I during the first vision? What was my reaction? Who helped Joseph Smith find the perfect spot to pray? Who fought off the devil’s who tried to stop him? What was Heavenly Mother’s role during the event? Who walked Joseph home to make sure he made it safely and without further attacks? It was like a flood that overwhelmed my thoughts.
I imagined battles between angels and demons as they attempted to overpower Joseph. The story of Elisha and the servant surrounded by enemies came to mind, and the thought that “they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” I imagined horses and soldiers and armies of valiant unseen spirits circling Joseph as they chased away the evil darkness that consumed him, preparing the forest for the Father and the Son to appear.
And Heavenly Mother? I’m not sure what she did during the grand event, many thoughts came to mind of what she might have been doing, but I’m certain she was close by, celebrating with us as we watched the second greatest event in history unfold that would change our lives forever. In this image I put her near the center, watching from above, to show that she was very much apart of what was taking place.