"Learn of Me"

Avril Caron (French Canadian, born 1980)
Prayer (Triptych) (2015)
Acrylic on canvas, 18 x 14 inches
Collection of the artist
Artist’s website
Used with permission of the artist

This painting, Prayer (Triptych), is inspired by the work of Henri Matisse. Artist Avril Caron writes, "By working as a henna painter in the famous Old Montreal neighborhood, I earned enough money to serve as a full time missionary. During this time, I was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that left me in chronic pain and with no hope of recovery. In this intense period, my paintings became colorful, strong and full of faith. The painted illusions became a reality when I was miraculously healed. Since then I have devoted my work to testifying of God's power and love.”   

Discussion Questions

1. "Having accomplished and finished the will of [the Father]", Jesus retained all power (D&C 19:2-3).  How do obedience and retaining power work together

2. What does it mean to not covet something that is already yours (D&C 19:26)?  How does this relate to the things that are presently yours?  What can you do routinely to keep covetousness in check in yourself?

3. Milk before meat (D&C 19:22).  What are some examples of how you have learned significant things in your life in a "milk before meat" process?

For Children & Youth

Hi. Have you ever wondered how you learned to speak? When you were a baby, you didn’t know how, so at some point, you learned. It did not happen all at once. You probably made some strange gurgling noises and realized that other people responded to them. And little by little you added new sounds and attached new meanings to them. How does someone learn to draw? It is a very similar journey. (You can read more about it in the Center’s lesson from Art at Home, “How Does a Child Learn to Draw?”)

Now here is another question: how do you learn to pray? All three of these—speaking, drawing, praying—are communications. Each one requires practice. And the more comfortable you are with them, the more expressive they become.

Discussion Questions

1. Jesus describes himself as "the beginning and the end" (D&C 19:1).  Think about the beginning and the end of a book, of a game, of a movie, of an event.  Why is Jesus the beginning and the end?

2. When do you pray out loud?  When do you pray in your heart?  When do you pray just for yourself?  When do you pray as the voice of a group?  Why are all of these different kinds of prayers important?  (D&C 19:28)  What are the blessings of praying (D&C 19:38)?

3. Jesus says that we should try to learn about Him and His words (D&C 19:23).  How can you do this?  How can all of this learning make you happy?

Art Project

In Tibetan culture, they hang prayer flags outside and up high to spread peace, compassion, strength and wisdom.  Make a string of prayer flags using 5 pieces of paper of different colors.  Decorate each piece of paper by writing or drawing something on each piece of paper representing a prayer that you have for your home, your family or even for yourself.  You could also cut a border on the flag or cut decorations in the flag.  String the flags together with string or ribbon to make a chain.  Hang the flags up in a window to remind you of things that you want to pray about and to pray always.