Feb. 5-11: 2 Nephi 1-2
Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life, through the Great Mediator
Jeanne Florence Leighton-Lundberg Clarke (American, 1925-2014)
Inheritance II (1989)
oil on canvas, 46 x 58 inches
Private collection
Used with permission of the collector
In the initial chapters of 2 Nephi, Lehi shares his final testimony with his family. He recognizes the opposition they have faced in their lives journeying in the wilderness, and blesses them for their continued persistence. He also reminds them of their free will and agency, that they are “free to choose liberty and eternal life.” (2 Nephi 26-27). Lehi shares a sermon on mortality as tied to both choice and opposition: good/evil, mercy/justice, confusion/peace, forbidden fruit/ tree of life. By comparing opposites, truths become more starkly apparent.
In 1980, the artist Jeanne Leighton-Lundburg began referring to her painting style as maximalist. At the time, she was distinguishing herself from a celebrated style of art that had become known as minimalism. For Leighton-Lundberg, the decorative overload and visual excesses of domestic scenes in her paintings heightened the message of the relationships of women and families, especially. In her painting Inheritance II, note the contrasts of masculine (geometric shapes) and feminine (floral shapes). The artist includes symbols such as the tree and fruit from Lehi’s Dream, the beauty and bounty of the earth as represented by the laden table and arrangement of flowers, a spectrum of light, and numerous others that invite the viewer into the artist’s colorful, saturated, dizzying world.
Whether its the black-and-white band on the bottom of the painting, or the balance of female and male shapes and symbols in her work, Inheritance II is a visual reminder of the great consequences of choice. That “Adam fell that man might be, and men are that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25) despite opposition.
Discussion Questions:
1. Lehi encouraged his sons to "be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things" (2 Nephi 1:21). What is the difference between being united in mind and being united in heart? How can the two work together in unity?
2. Lehi describes Zoram as a "true friend" of Nephi (2 Nephi 1:30) and because of his loyalty, Zoram's posterity is blessed with Nephi's posterity (2 Nephi 1:31-32). How have your true friends been a blessing to you and your family?
3. Because of opposition, we have agency (2 Nephi 2:15-16). Why is agency such an important part of God's plan? (See also: 2 Nephi 2:26)
For Children and Youth:
1. Lehi taught his sons that God's plan includes opposites ("for it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things" 2 Nephi 2:11). Think about all of the good choices that you made today. What was the opposition on the other side of those choices? Because He loves us so much, how did Jesus help us if we make choices that we then regret?
2. Lehi explained to his sons that Jesus wants us to have joy (2 Nephi 2:25). What in your life brings you joy?