Joseph Smith, kneeling in prayer, one arm supported by a pine stump, head bowed in supplication—this image represents the search for knowledge and truth better than any other I have seen. His figure strikes one as powerful, confident, strong and resilient, yet his pose shows humility, reverence, meekness and need. Throughout his life, Joseph sought and received instruction from the Lord, among which was often correction. The Lord, chastising one He loved, guided Joseph in his development, taught him to be a servant, and thus created the prophet who could restore and spread the Gospel of Christ.
One day, a woman stopped me, looked at me as if she knew me. "Where have we met?" she asked. I don't know. I get this a lot. Dopplegangers all over, it seems. "Oh, I remember!" she remarks. "I saw you once and thought you would be a great model of Joseph Smith. I'm a painter, and I have wanted to use you in a painting of Joseph Smith." I've heard this before, too. But I'm no Joseph.
Me, standing before a mirror, arms resting at my sides, face focused in searching—the person I see compares himself with those who have come before him and those who stand around him. Though he may look like Joseph, he sees the inadequacies, the deficiencies, the mistakes and the failures. He looks up to Joseph, loves his stories, wishes to be like him. One day, his eyes say, I will stand with Joseph as I stand now, and we will both smile. For now, he will pose, and while he poses, he thinks, esse quam videri. To be rather than to seem.
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6 comments:
I can see the resemblance between you and the prophet Joseph. I like how you made a mirror image in the organization of the piece, first describing the statue of Joseph, then describing yourself, actually looking into a mirror. Why do you think that the sculpture has Joseph kneeling on one knee? Maybe you should audition for the next Joseph Smith film or Church History movie.
Wow! This piece drew me in emotionally from beginning to end. It paves a perfect path to inner reflection. The idea of comparing yourself to Joseph Smith is pretty intense, and I think it's a good motivator for a desire to do better.
Are you looking at a painting of the Prophet, or a statue, or something else? Have you posed for a lot of pictures, and have they been published?
First of all I would love to tell you how much I like the fact that you put "his eyes say" As humans we communicate in so many different ways. Our eyes being a big part of that, a fact that I think we often times forget. This piece was very well written. I can see where people might say such things. I think that you should really take Professor Hallen's advice.
This was great. I didn't see the direction you were going until you were there, and I loved it! Your last paragraph is powerful. I like the physical comparison, with you looking in the mirror, and then the deeper comparison and the image of you meeting. Wonderful job!
(Revision)
Joseph by the Stump, Me in the Mirror
Joseph Smith, kneeling in prayer, one arm supported by a pine stump, head bowed in supplication—this image represents the search for knowledge and truth better than any other I have seen. His figure strikes one as powerful, confident, strong and resilient, yet his pose shows humility, reverence, meekness and need. Throughout his life, Joseph sought and received instruction from the Lord, among which was often correction. The Lord, chastising one He loved, guided Joseph in his development, taught him to be a servant, and thus created the prophet who could restore and spread the Gospel of Christ. His response to this chastisement created a character of devoted power, which I have always admired.
One day, a woman stopped me, looked at me as if she knew me. "Where have we met?" she asked. I don't know. I get this a lot. Dopplegangers all over, it seems. "Oh, I remember!" she remarks. "I saw you once and thought you would be a great model of Joseph Smith. I'm a painter, and I have wanted to use you in a painting of Joseph Smith." I've heard this before, too. But I'm no Joseph.
Me, standing before a mirror, arms resting at my sides, face focused in searching—the person I see compares himself with those who have come before him and those who stand around him. Though he may look like Joseph, he sees the inadequacies, the deficiencies, the mistakes and the failures. He looks up to Joseph, loves his stories, wishes to be like him. As Joseph was instructed, lead, corrected, and refined, so too will the image be changed by the Lord. One day, his eyes say, I will stand with Joseph as I stand now, and we will both smile. For now, he will pose, and while he poses, he thinks, esse quam videri. To be rather than to seem.
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