Paintings from the scriptures illustrate trust.
"The Lord Fulfilleth All His Words" by Clark Kelley Price
Noah trusted in the Lord and obeyed His commandments in building the ark, thereby preserving the righteous remnant of the human race from impending destruction (see Genesis 7-8).
"The Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord" by Arnold Friberg
After repenting of his failure to call upon the Lord, the brother of Jared trusted in Him to guide the Jaredites to the promised land and instructed him on the building of vessels to cross the ocean. The Lord trusted the brother of Jared to propose a means by which the vessels would be lighted and then fulfilled his request. Ultimately, his faith and trust in the Lord was such that he was privileged to behold the Lord as He would appear in the flesh (see Ether 2-3).
"David and Goliath" by Ted Henninger
David trusted that the Lord would give him strength to vanquish the Philistine giant Goliath. Knowing from past experience the power of God to deliver him from danger, David declined to use the armor and sword of Saul because he had not proved them, preferring instead to go forth armed with only a sling and stones (see 1 Samuel 17).
"And My Soul Hungered" by Al R. Young
Enos, while hunting beasts in the forest, pondered and was deeply impressed with the words he had heard his father speak about eternal life and the joy of the saints. Trusting in those words and the goodness of God, he knelt and prayed for many hours in supplication for his own soul, for his brethren the Nephites and for the Lamanites. Because of his faith, he obtained from the Lord the promise that the records of his people would be preserved and the Lord would bring them forth in due time (see Enos 1).
"Elijah Contends Against the Priests of Baal" by Jerry Harston
Trusting in God, Elijah confronted Ahab and the priests of Baal, denouncing their forsaking of God's commandments and their idol worship. He challenged them to call on the name of their false god to consume a sacrifice with fire. After they failed to meet the challenge, Elijah built an altar to God and called upon God to send down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice that the people may know He is God. God dramatically fulfilled Elijah's petition, causing the people to declare, "The Lord, he is the God" (see 1 Kings 18:17-39).
"Two Thousand Young Warriors" by Arnold Friberg
The Lamanites converted by Ammon were forbidden from fighting in battle because of a covenant they had made. But their sons fought in their stead, showing great valiance and courage. They trusted in the Lord and in the promise given to them by their mothers that if they did not doubt, the Lord would deliver them. Thus, they were a boon to the Nephite forces in preserving liberty (see Alma 53:10-22; 56; 57:19-27).
"Journey to Bethlehem" by Joseph Brickey
Dismayed to learn that Mary, his betrothed, was with child, Joseph nevertheless showed forbearance and kindness. His patience and trust were rewarded when he received his own divine manifestation that she would be privileged to give birth to the mortal Messiah (see Matthew 1:18-20).
"Moses and the Brass Serpent" by Judith Mehr
When the Israelites, for disobedience, were smitten with fiery serpents, the Lord provided the brass serpent on a pole as the means of their deliverance. Those who trusted in His word and looked upon the brass serpent were delivered. This pre-figured the Atonement (see Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14; Alma 33:19-21).
"Three Men in the Fiery Furnace" by William Maughan
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused to obey a king's unrighteous directive to worship a golden image. They trusted that God would deliver them from the fiery furnace into which they were cast as a consquence of their determination to obey God rather than man (see Daniel 3).
"Ruth and Naomi" by Judith Mehr
Ruth was converted to the worship of Israel's God. After the death of her husband, Ruth pledged to her mother-in-law her steadfast loyalty and trust, saying, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God" (Ruth 1:16).
"Daniel in the Lions' Den" by Clark Kelley Price
Daniel defied a decree from the king that would have prevented him from praying to God and as a consequence was thrown into a den of lions. His trust in God was vindicated when God shut the mouths of the lions (see Daniel 6).
"Christ Walking on the Water" by Robert T. Barrett
In Robert T. Barrett's depiction, Christ reaches out to rescue Peter, whom Christ had bidden to walk to him on water but who began to sink when he lost faith. The incident, recounted in Matthew 14:25-29, illustrates the power that comes from trusting the Lord. The theme of trust is the basis of several articles in this Church News issue continuing a tradition of presenting a year-end package pertaining to a gospel-related theme.
