Over the past four decades or so, the "Christus" statue in the rotunda of the North Visitors Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City has become one of the most recognizable images of Latter-day Saint culture. Reproductions of this 14-foot marble sculpture have been placed in other Church visitors centers as well.
Some may not be aware that the statue on Temple Square is itself a copy of an original that was not made by an LDS sculptor and, in fact, stands in a Lutheran cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Renowned Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) created the image of the resurrected Christ, His arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture, as part of a four-year commission commencing in 1821 for Vor Frue Kirke (the Church of Our Lady), which was dedicated in 1829 and which today is alternately named the Cathedral of Copenhagen.
In addition to the statue of Christ, Thorvaldsen designed sculptures of 11 of Christ's original 12 apostles and of the Apostle Paul, whose depiction stands in the place of Judas Iscariot. Upon entering the church's interior, the visitor immediately notices the "Christus" standing prominently above the altar and under an arch, and then is drawn to the apostle statues, which line the walls of the nave.
Each apostle is depicted with a symbol traditionally associated with him. For example, Paul holds a sword reflecting the power of his words and the nature of his martyrdom, and John is portrayed with an eagle, symbolizing his evangelism.
Significantly, Peter, the chief apostle, is depicted holding a set of keys, suggesting the account in Matthew 16. There, we read of Christ asking His apostles, "Whom say ye that I am?" whereupon Peter, boldly declaring the conviction given to him through revelation, responds, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (verses 15-16).
Christ then replies, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (verses 18-19).
There has been controversy in Christendom regarding the symbolic meaning of "rock" in this passage. Some hold that it refers to Christ Himself (see "Jesus Christ, Rock" entry in the Topical Guide of the LDS edition of the King James Bible for examples of such references). Others maintain that it has to do with Peter and the apostolic authority that would stem from him. After all, Petros, the Greek equivalent of Peter, as well as its Aramaic equivalent, Cephas, means "stone."
Latter-day Saints see merit in both symbolic interpretations (see footnote 18a to Matthew 16). Further light has been given to us through inspired instruction from the Prophet Joseph Smith, who taught that "rock" in this passage refers to revelation (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 274). In fact, the Joseph Smith Translation of John 1:42 quotes Jesus as telling Simon, "Thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a seer, or a stone" (emphasis added).
Thus, Matthew 16:18-19 teaches these principles:
Christ is the chief cornerstone of the Church (see Ephesians 2:20).
Christ bestows apostolic priesthood keys and authority upon the earthly head of the Church. Those keys are held today by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
The first to hold those keys in this dispensation was the Prophet Joseph Smith. In Doctrine and Covenants 132:7, the Lord spoke of "the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred)...."
Christ governs the Church by revelation to the man who holds "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" thus ensuring that the gates of hell do not prevail against it.
May that certain knowledge enlighten our study of Christ's life and teachings this year.
