Improvement Era, 1931 by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Religion

Priesthood Quorums

All Melchizedek Priesthood material is prepared under the direction of the Council of the Twelve; and all Aaronic Priesthood material is prepared under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric.

Victory

A TRUMPET call to noble living is the new painting, "Victory," by Professor Paul Wildhaber. This noted artist will be locally remembered from his former production, "The Armor of Righteousness," a cut of which was shown in the March Era. "Victory" may be considered a richer development of the same inspiring ideal-having for its theme youthful lives guided safely past the yawning chasms of degradation and death, onward and upward along the way of life and light to glorious triumphant victory.

The central figure is a youth in shining armor, radiant in valiant virtue and the power of a pure life. He rides protected by the magic shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness. The pledge of his whole life to service and sacrifice is symbolized by the cross upon the shield which shelters him. In his right hand is uplifted the gleaming sword of the Spirit of the Lord, flashing its call to arms to all true-hearted youths who have the courage and the might to follow. The richness of his armor and the coats-of-arms he displays betoken his high lineage, a birth entitling him to leadership in the noblest endeavors.

THE guidance of a higher power is typified by the angel in the clouds above him. The youth has heard the clarion call of his trumpet, and has seen his finger pointing the way unerringly past all perils and pitfalls, past the treacherous attractions of seductive temptations, and the evils lurking there, up the path of beauty and virtue and peace suggested by the flowers and the innocent child and the lamb and lion in perfect concord, to the Holy City of Light in all its brilliant splendor-the highest attainment of complete and abundant happiness.

Now that he has seen the glories ahead, the enlightened youth turns to signal his glad message to others. At his inspired call they come from all directions to form a noble army. "Hark! the trumpet. Heroes rally! Sounds the war cry of the free;

Lo they swarm from hill and valley, Loyal sons of Liberty."

("The Battle Hymn of Israel," by Orson F. Whitney).

A poetic touch of symbolism is the stump of the olive tree in the foreground, which always stands for the House of Israel. Though the older branches have been lopped off, it is again beginning to send forth young and tender branches, reaching up toward the light, while the branches which grew toward the fitful flames of evil are now dead and broken off.

WHAT interesting thoughts the artist must have had while watching this painting with its marvelous message take shape under his hands is happily told in his own words.

"It is my hope to give to every living person in all the world the same feeling of peace and reverence which came over me when I first saw the way up to the Holy City of Mount Zion.

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