A young woman almost floats in the circle created by a crown of thorns. She directs her attention to the jasmine flowers held in her hand, representing divine love, and her toes gently crush the serpent’s head.
Nestled into the corners of the square, I have chosen symbols of evil, death, and sin: bats, the vulture, the snake, and bones. I chose these specific representations because of my respect for them when they are not symbols. In order to believe in a loving God, we are forced to grapple with the complex paradox of the existence of divine love and the presence of evil, death, and sin.
The crown of thorns, representing the atonement of Jesus Christ, makes it possible to consecrate all experiences for our good. I, too, know that [God] loveth his children: nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. (1 Nephi 11:17)
- Subject Matter: woman
- Collections: Symbolic Figurative