Royalty and prominent public figures often commissioned skilled artists to create oil portraits as a means of preserving their image and projecting a sense of power, authority, and prestige. These portraits were displayed in palaces, public spaces and museums. The use of oil paintings for prominent figures became a symbol of status and self importance.
On the upper floor of the LDS Conference Center across from the Salt Lake Temple is a long hallway and large room where the oil paintings of past Church leaders have always been on display. I think it was referred to the Hallway of the Prophets. The below photo was taken before President Nelson became the President of the Church.
Soon after President Nelson became the Prophet, all of these old paintings were taken down and put into storage.
No longer is there any competing oil paintings of past Church leaders. The new motto that living prophets are more important than dead prophets that we hear now in General Conference come from quotes like this: “unlike vintage comic books and classic cars, prophetic teachings do not become more valuable with age. That is why we should not seek to use the words of past prophets to dismiss the teachings of living prophets"
I think there have been more oil paintings made of President Nelson then any other President of the Church. Here a few photos and the place where they are on display. One hangs in the Church Art Museum, one in the Conference Center, one in the Upper room of the Salt Lake Temple and
And a few more:
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| Photo of President Nelson with framed photos of his two wives (one deceased) behind him. |
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In this week's Church News, there was an "About the Church" new story with the headline:
"President Russell M. Nelson's sixth anniversary
as church president and prophet led other chuch leaders to share
the leadership lessons they've learned from him"
I clicked on the article and read all of the quotes from the Apostles and the General Relief Society Presidency. Below are a few samples of praise they said about President Nelson
"When he walks into a room, that room immediately feels brighter."
President Henry B Eyring
...
"He is probably the most gentle and kind leader I have ever worked with, realizing that I have worked with among the most gentle and kind men and women on the earth... we treasure in God’s spokesman.”
President Jeffrey R Holland
...
"President Nelson is the embodiment of the spiritual qualities described by King Benjamin in his teachings about faithful servants. President Nelson knows our Master, even Jesus Christ, is not a stranger to Him."
Elder David A Bednar
...
"...as bowed his head to pray, all his words were spoken in near perfect Portuguese, not just the grammar but also the native Brazilian accent. The leaders and members there were astonished. The Spirit of the Lord was potent, and many cried with joy.
Elder Neil L Anderson
...
“President Nelson has prepared himself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. He knows who presides at the head of this Church. He knows how to receive revelation. He is bold in following the Lord’s direction.”
Elder Ronald A Rasband
...
“He fearlessly corrected the way we have acquiesced in omitting the full, correct name of the Church"
President Dallin H Oaks
...
"His leadership is sure and steady because his primary audience is the Lord Jesus Christ. "
Elder Dale G Renlund
...
"His loving arms are always open, extended, outstretched and encircling to everyone he meets, and he focuses on the goodness in people rather than their shortcomings or weaknesses"
Elder Ulisses Soares
“One of the greatest blessings and privileges of my life has been the opportunity to meet personally with President Nelson. I hope to emulate him in some small measure.”
President Camille N Johnson
...
"Through the Prophet’s genuine love and belief in me, I have come to know more about the character of my Heavenly Father and Savior and Their love for me. I know Them better and love Them better because of President Nelson."
Sister Kristin M Yee
...
In my opinion, we’ve gone overboard with our praise and reverence for the church’s prophet.
According to two researchers working independently (Christian Anderson and Quentin Spencer), mentions of President Russell M. Nelson occur twice as often as for any previous president of the church. LINK. When speakers mention the current leader’s name as often as the Savior’s, it’s no longer clear just who it is we’re supposed to be worshipping."
According to two researchers working independently (Christian Anderson and Quentin Spencer), mentions of President Russell M. Nelson occur twice as often as for any previous president of the church. LINK. When speakers mention the current leader’s name as often as the Savior’s, it’s no longer clear just who it is we’re supposed to be worshipping."
Loving the prophet and the apostles more shouldn’t be our goal; loving God is the goal.
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Sidenote:
NARCISSISM:
Excessive interest in or admiration of oneself.
Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them.
9 comments:
I am still at a loss for why Nephi went back for the brass plates. I mean, they had Lehi, was that not enough?
Perhaps they rename the Salt Lake temple after him.
Nelson is all about, well, Nelson. Talk about cult of personality!
It's odd, isn't it, that Christ himself approved of the words of Isaiah in 3 Nephi. Wouldn't Isaiah have been an "dead" prophet at the time?
No matter, I can ignore all "dead" prophets so long as old Russ is around to guide me.
It's disgusting how LDS members constantly drool all over their leaders, constantly quote their words, and fail to consider dire scriptural warnings about such behavior. I get so tired of the standard sacrament meeting talk format where the speaker begins and immediately indicates which conference talk they're regurgitating. Even a talk this last weekend about how important the scriptures are was 99% quotes from 'general authorities' and 1% actual scripture quotes. It's like members no longer have a foundation in the actual scriptures. Corporate manuals and study programs are no substitute.
Christians worship Christ. They love his words and have no gods before him. He is the keeper of the gate and he employs no servant there. Not even a 'living prophet'. It's that simple.
Isaiah 28:7-9. To summarize, as stated above, everyone “regurgitates” the general conference talks without having a clue what the scriptures really say….and we believe the “inspired interpretation” offered when one of the brethren quotes half of a verse.
D & C 46:7: “…that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils….”. We rejected the fullness of the gospel once…now we are rejecting what we have left in order to “trust in the arm of flesh” and worship a man because we “think celestial”.
The so-called Covenant Path isn't leading them where they think it is.
It's because they contained the laws and record of the Jews. While Nephi and his brothers were taught by their parents the stories that were on the records (thanks to the ministering angels and visions Lehi received due to his faith and prayers), he still needed the record to pass on to and record events for his kin. I'm not sure if I'm 100% on this but It's all laid out in 1st NE chapter 1 in more detail if you look through it :)
Damnatio memoriae?
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damnatio_memoriae)
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