Against the Christian Door

Honorable Mention in the 2021 Book of Mormon Central Art Contest.

"Against the Christian Door" takes place in the upstairs bedroom of the Carthage Jail in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844. Here the Prophet Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, and Willard Richards were attacked by and angry mob of over 100 men. The door of the jailers bedroom was a "Christian Door," which is an architectural term used to describe the design of the door itself. This design (left) was created to be a reminder to a Chris­tian of their beliefs through the symbols of the cross and the open Bible, which were represented by the negative shape between panels on the top of the door, and the panels themselves at the bottom. It is ironic that Christian men in the mob were shooting through a "Christian Door" to kill men who had devoted their lives to the cause of Christ, and who died as Christian martyrs. The Prophet Joseph had many opportunities to escape the mob at Carthage, but chose to remain instead. He stated "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall be said of me-he was murdered in cold blood." D&C I35:4

The artist lives in Lindon, Utah. He loves telling the stories of the Restoration through Art.