There is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists…an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness….The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.
George Washington
Leonardo Da Vinci painted dozens of pieces of art. Priceless works like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are known and reverenced throughout the world, and often it has been hinted that there are deeper meanings written within the brush strokes. Recently, a painting by DaVinci, thought to have been lost was rediscovered. It is called, Salvado Mundi, which is Latin for Savior of the World.
It was painted most likely for some prominent royalty around 1500 A.D., right as the Reformation was beginning. The Reformation was the religious, political, and cultural upheaval by men like Martin Luther and John Calvin which challenged the Roman Catholic church and fueled pilgrims to cross an ocean and set the stage for the founding of a constitutional republic on the American continent and the restoration of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
One hundred years later Salvido Mundi was among the collection of Charles the First of England. He died greatly in debt, so his family gave away much of his art collection as repayment. The Salvado Mundi was given to a mason (as in a builder) named John Stone. Eventually, it went back to the royal family until 1763 when the trail goes cold. No one is quite sure what became of the painting after that.
Meanwhile, in America the French and Indian war had just ended and the Proclamation of 1763 given. This decree was originally enacted to calm tensions between Native Americans and colonials. However, this proclamation became one of the earliest causes of the Revolutionary war. The proclamation placed a border between the anglo-Americans and the Native Americans. While for the Native tribes this was preservation of their land that would keep the colonials east, it would not allow for the growth across the entire continent like the Gentile emigrants felt was their manifest destiny. (we’ll come back to the importance of the Native Americans later.)
“Resentment for the British Empire and her interference in colonial affairs bonded Americans of varying socioeconomic backgrounds on a philosophical level. The ideological break with the mother country promulgated by the Proclamation Line of 1763, particularly for governmental leaders and Virginia’s Landed gentry [like George Washington], served to push the colonies into rebellion in the following decade” (Jennifer Monroe McCutchen, Texas Christian University).
This event in 1763 was the first spark that would begin to ignite the radical ideals of revolution, liberty, and freedom. Another quick pattern I noted was that of the term mason. Da Vinci’s lost painting was given to a stone worker, otherwise known as a mason for a time from the hands of royalty. Is it a coincidence that almost 30% of the Founding Fathers belonged to the order of the Freemasons? An organization during that time which encouraged subgegation and loyalty to God while utilizing ancient symbolism in their rituals that very closely resemble the ancient symbolism of the Latter-Day temples? Perhaps the connection I made with the masons is just a coincidence, but it seems to me to be a profound detail in the story.
As I thought of the remarkable history of this paintings travels over the centuries I thought of a Royal King, the very God of Heaven, giving his Son, the Savior of the World to pay a debt. Not God’s debt, but the debt that we would incur through mortality. The definition of redemption is to pay for someone’s freedom (Jeremiah 31:11). Christ would ransom and pay for our freedom. That’s how important freedom is. Entering into and keeping the ordinances of baptism and the temple covenants requires the Savior’s atoning grace, our repentance, and obedience which brings spiritual freedom and ultimately exaltation.
George Washington understood the covenant. The day he was inaugurated he went to the stone church in New York to be sworn in. He asked for a bible, opened it and placed his hand on Genesis 49:22-26.
“Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him; But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of this hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the breasts, and the womb: The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hill: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.”
“Indeed, Joseph/Ephraim was led out to become a multitude of people. They were led to the north country, to the coast line, to the isles of the sea. They were carried over the wall of water to another land. That land is America…Indeed, what is American history if not Old Testament history? American history after all is the story of a chosen people, with ties to the blood and the promises of Israel, who were given a promised land by covenant. It is a story of this people’s struggle to live righteously as a nation so as to be blessed with the covenant blessings (liberty, protection, and prosperity) required to realize God’s work and glory….if adhered to, will allow the blessings of liberty, protection, and prosperity to thrive, thus securing the opportunity for salvation for this and future generations. At the core of this story is God’s holy covenant, the American Covenant,” (Timothy Ballard, Kindle location 1028-1030; 6116-6123)
Back to Da Vinci’s Salvado Mundi. After the royal family recovered their financial footing they demanded the return of the painting from the mason John Stone. After that its whereabouts are not known, until the painting reemerged at the end of the 19th century. It seemed that so many other significant American events, with either the allegiance or dismissal of the American covenant by its people were associated with this painting. So I wondered, what was happening in America at the end of the 19th century? “The African-American civil rights movement (1896–1954) was a long, primarily nonviolent series of events to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to all Americans” (wikipedia).
There it was again! The African-American people living on the promised land were calling upon God to pour out the promised blessings as they worked tediously for years to change the long held beliefs by the average American that God was the Father of all mankind. This civil rights movement was the beginnings of a change in the hearts of the people of this promised land. It would eventually culminate in the eternally momentous revelation that took place in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple in 1978. The Revelation on the priesthood would afford all worthy male members the blessings of the priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy members, regardless of race or nationality.
By 2005, Salvado Mundi found its way to Louisiana, U.S.A. – the heartland of America; the lands where Native American tribes or remnant descendants of the Lamanites are found. From here it was sold to several collectors who initially assumed it was a copy. It wasn’t until 2011 that the painting was suspected of being something far more valuable and began to be restored, tediously removing layers of paint that others had added in an attempt to touch up or change the features of the face of Christ to match the current period’s preferences. Cracks that had formed due to carelessness were mended and 5 years later, in 2017 the original finally reemerged.
As I gazed upon Da Vinci’s masterpiece I nearly gasped as recognition of sacred symbolism caught me by surprise. Again John the Revelators words came to my mind, “…that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;” I thought again of the earth’s ultimate destiny as a planet-sized Urim and Thummim, as clean and clear as crystal.
Is it also a coincidence that in 2011 when the true origin of Da Vinci’s precious lost art was discovered, that two significant, yet often overlooked events took place? Both hint at the covenant of this land and the duty of her people to uphold it. The first event was that the capital of our nation was shaken…literally. A rare 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook Washington D.C. on August 23, 2011. What is more significant is that a long jagged crack appeared in the Washington monument. The Washington monument is not only a memorial to the great general and father of our country, George Washington, but according to Timothy Ballard in his book The Washington Hypothesis, an emblem and monument to the hand of God in the founding of this nation in preparation for temples and the work of exaltation.
Second, 2011 was also the preliminary campaigns for the following presidential election year of 2012. The general elections took place less than three months after the earthquake in Washington D.C. This becomes important because of who was running for the presidential office. It was the national debut of the first Latter-Day Saint to become a formidable Republican candidate for president of the United States, Mitt Romney.
This hasn’t happened since 1844 when Joseph Smith submitted his candidacy for president of this nation, and never in history has a Latter-Day Saint been so close to becoming president. TIME magazine named the Religion of the year for 2011 as Mormonism. Perhaps the fact that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was in most cases sincerely researched during this election year was a huge step and symbolically, a re-emergence of awareness of the church into the public spotlight. Those of us who have taken upon ourselves sacred covenants to gather the lost tribes of Israel gained more reputable recognition and greater understanding from the world than at any other time in history.
Mitt Romney did not win the presidency that year – certainly any negativity during his potential presidency would have been turned back on the church and this was not what the Lord wanted, however this should give us pause to consider what the figurative crack in our country looks like today.
Like the Salvado Mundi, cracked, the face of Christ veiled, distorted, and covered with inferior artist attempts, we must continue the tedious and admittedly feeble mortal attempts in the work of restoration of the covenants upon this promised land. We must allow the true Master’s work, His face, be revealed once more.
If the location of the Salvedo Mundi had any significance up to it’s rediscovery then perhaps it’s current wearabouts might be of some importance too. After it’s restoration and being displayed alongside Leonardo’s other famous works in London, the painting was sold for $450.3 million to a Saudi prince. It now resides in the Louvre in Abu Dhabi.
The Arab nations are the descendants of Ishmael. “But as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation” (Genesis 17:20).
As I have pondered on what the significance could be, the word Damascus keeps coming to me. In fact, three times in one day, I heard the word Damascus in casual conversations. That never happens, so I paid attention. In Abraham 2:16 we read of how Abram traveled by way of Jershon to come to Cannon. There is a parallel between the New Jerusalem Cainon (Moses 6:17-19) and the old Jerusalem Canaan (Genesis 47). Jaershon was reached anciently by way of Damascus. Old Damascus sits near the Saudi Arabian – Syrian border. Dubai is in Saudi Arabia.
Is it any wonder that so much has and continues to happen right now around Iraq, Iran, and Syria? Perhaps paying attention to this region will prove to be of great importance in the future as well. Gathering out of every nation those of the lost 10 tribes most assuredly includes giving Christ-like love, assistance, and refuge to those driven from lands and nations by war and violence.
The Lost 10 Tribes
By 721 B.C. the northern tribes of Israel had apostatized from the covenant path and Isaiah’s warnings from the Lord that a lack of repentance would bring “the rod of mine anger” (Isaiah 10:5) went unheeded. The Assyrian army attacked and Damascus was conquered, as was part of the territory of the Northern Kingdom, and the people were carried off into captivity (2 Kings 15:29). The northern 10 tribes of Israel were scattered with the promise that in the last days they would once again be gathered. Today, modern Assyria includes northern Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and the northwestern fringes of Iran.
“It is likely that many [of the 10 tribes] accepted the life and culture of their captors and lost their identity. They had gone into captivity because of their extreme wickedness, so it would not be surprising to find them accepting the pagan culture of the Assyrians. One of the books of the Apocrypha, however, records that one group of the captives saw that their captivity was the result of their own wickedness and sought the Lord in repentance ( Bible Dictionary, s.v. “Apocrypha”). The Lord heeded their cries and led them away into the north countries” (Old Testament Student Manual, The Assyrian Conquest and the Lost Ten Tribes)
“But they took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt, that they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land. And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow passages of the river. For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over. For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and the same region is called Arsareth. Then dwelt they there until the latter time.”
(2 Esdras 13:41–46).(Also compare, Jeremiah 3:18; 16:15; 31:8; D&C 110:11; 133:26).
The whereabouts of this group of repentant Israelites who fled to the north countries is yet to be revealed, but we know that in a coming day their return will be so marvelous that no longer would God be called the Lord who led Israel out of Egypt but the Lord who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north ( Jeremiah 16:14–15).
Jerusalem of Old
The kingdom of Judah also fell into captivity and were exiled from their lands of inheritance by 598 B.C. when Babylon came to power. However, God issued a call for His forces to gather together to overthrow Babylon. In this case, these forces were the Medes (Isaiah 13:17). The call was answered 70 years after the Jewish exile when the alliance of Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great dammed the Euphrates River and marched through the riverbed and under the walls of Babylon to capture the city and overthrow the empire.
The Jews were allowed to return to their homeland and rebuild the demolished temple at Jerusalem. The significance of the incident is more clearly indicated by considering the imagery of the term Babylon in a spiritual sense. The call is for the “sanctified ones” (Isaiah 13:3), the Saints of the latter days, to gather together and join with God in overthrowing wickedness (Babylon) from the world.
The “multitude” is “a great people” (Isaiah 13:4) who come together, mustered by the Lord of Hosts, ready to do battle (compare 2 Nephi 23:3–5). These multitudes are the Saints who will be gathered from every nation in the last days and enlisted in the army of the living God to wage war against wickedness. (D&C 10:64–67; 29:7–11; 45:66–71; 76:28–29; 84:2; 103:22–25; Matthew 24:30–31.)
The prophecy also has a literal fulfillment in the latter days. All things are to be restored. The heavens will flee as the earth is brought back to a condition it once enjoyed. The earth will then receive its paradisiacal glory. Its paradisiacal glory is not to be confused with the celestial state that is the eventual destiny of this sphere; it is, rather, the millennial condition wherein all life will enjoy continual peace. (See Joseph Fielding Smith, The Signs of the Times, pp. 34–38.)
Isaiah declared that as the Medes, those of the higher mountainous country above Babylon, would descend upon the worldly gem of the Euphrates and decimate it, so in a spiritual sense a higher power, not interested in wealth, would come upon the Babylon of the latter days and destroy its proud, it’s wicked, and its confederates (see 2 Nephi 23:15).
To predict the total devastation and desolation of such a city was remarkable, for some ancient cities, such as Jerusalem, Damascus, and Jericho, have continued through the centuries and still exist today. But after its conquest by Cyrus, Babylon steadily declined. Several hundred years passed before Babylon was abandoned, but by the first century after Christ it lay deserted and in ruins, and so it has remained until this day. However, the influence of Babylon and her spiritual maladies has lingered throughout societies around the world. The silent physical ruins of Babylon stand as an eloquent witness that Isaiah spoke with divine accuracy. Spiritual Babylon shall likewise become a waste and desolation when God comes upon the world in judgment and ushers in the millennial reign of Christ. (Revelation 18.)
The New Jerusalem
The Abrahamic covenant resides on the promised land of America where the new Jerusalem will be built. Isaiah refers to the people who dwell on the American continent as “daughters of Zion” (many of whom are of the lineage of Ephraim), upon old Jerusalem, and upon all who will come unto Christ. The gathering of Israel will bring back, or restore the long dispersed people of God (Isaiah 1:26-27).
“The appointed time will come when the lost tribes of Israel will return to Zion to receive their blessings at the hands of Ephraim. “This great gathering will take place under the direction of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for he holds the keys” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine,p. 458). The lost tribes, as well as all others who want to be numbered among the house of Israel and receive the blessings of the priesthood, must come to Ephraim, who holds the birthright blessings (see Genesis 48:15–22; 1 Chronicles 5:1–2; Jeremiah 31:9)” (Old Testament Student Manual, The Assyrian Conquest and the Lost Ten Tribes).
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One last ti-bit about Salvado Mundi. The year that the painting was finally restored and qualified as a true original work by Leonardo Da Vinci himself was 2017. This year was a significant one in several ways. First, there were great signs in the heavens with the Great American Eclipse that stretched it’s shadow of totality from the northwest to the southeast.
This celestial event which captivated the nation may be a sign of even greater things to come, perhaps even the unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. “And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven” (D&C 45:42, see also Joel 2). Second, there was a great significance politically for the United States which divided the country more than it has been since perhaps the Civil War.
Today the political climate is much as the religious climate was during Joseph Smith’s time. By reading his account and changing only a few words the feelings that young Joseph had exactly reflect my own with the confusion happening today in America and throughout the world:
“… for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued— [politician] contending against [politician], and [citizen] against [citizen]; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions…
During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, stillI kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the [Republican Party], and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.
My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant…In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?”
Joseph Smith – History, Pearl of Great Price; 6,8-10
It was “While [Joseph] was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties” that he turned to the scriptures. This singular act, combined with his decision to keep himself “aloof from all these parties”opened the heavens (although not until after the adversary had levied an attack) and poured out the knowledge Joseph sought. Young Joseph was surprised to learn that they were all wrong!
“… that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
(Joseph Smith – History, Pearl of Great Price; 19)
The timing of this confusion and war of words that is happening now isn’t coincidental. The year 2020 marks the 200th anniversary since that first vision and our prophet has admonished us: ”…over the next six months, I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel… Immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration. As you do, general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable.” (Closing Remarks, Pres. Russel M. Nelson; Oct. 2019)
The tumultuous religious revival of 1820 with each of the varying denominations all stemmed from Christianity – the original founder being Christ Himself. Likewise, the tumult within our country today all stems from the original righteous foundation of our constitutional government (1 Ne. 13:12
The late Elder L. Tom Perry at another bicentennial in 1976, 200 years from the signing of the Declaration of Independence, said this:
“I look around me and find some very definite signs of the decay that is beginning to occur. Corruption, crime, dishonesty, immorality, pollution, laziness, devotion only to special interests—these are signs that precede the fall of great civilizations. We see so much evidence of these signs before our eyes. Yet I realize the promise that has been given to us in this great land of America. I also remember the prophecies concerning our great responsibilities to preserve that which we have been blessed with by God. The Lord has promised to sustain the truth in this land…
First, America’s early history began more than 2,000 years ago and is contained in an ancient and sacred record called the Book of Mormon. Second, the discovery of America and the establishment of the United States was a part of God’s plan and was brought about by men who were inspired and guided by God. And finally, America’s future destiny is dependent on the righteousness and morality of her families.”
Then Elder Perry asks a poignant question especially as we relate it to the bicentennial that we will be celebrating in 2020. “Why are these messages particularly important during the Bicentennial year? Because the only true way to celebrate the Bicentennial is in the same spirit that prevailed 200 years ago, in the spirit of humility and acknowledgment of God’s control over the earth and man’s dependency on Jesus the Christ” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1976/07/gods-hand-in-the-founding-of-america?lang=eng)
Just as a religious revival brought forth the restoration of Christ’s true church and doctrine 200 years ago by a humble boy who sought to know the Lord’s will, today we stand at a crossroads in history.
In a conference to members of the church in the New England area on October 20, 2019, M. Russell Ballard said this:
“Our nation was founded on prayer, it was preserved by prayer, and we need prayer again,” said the acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “I plead with you this evening to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people, and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God.” He went on to give a warning that America and the nations of the earth, as in times past, “are at another crossroad”…”Let it begin today that we take leadership and reach out in our own prayers and encourage our neighbors, our friends, our families … to pray for this country that we all love so much.”
Though the gravity of our “awful situation” may seem heavy to bear Elder Neil A. Maxwell reminds us, “Yes, there will be wrenching polarization on this planet, but also the remarkable reunion with our colleagues in Christ from the City of Enoch. Yes, nation after nation will become a house divided, but more and more unifying houses of the Lord will grace this planet. Yes, Armageddon lies ahead. But so does Adam-ondi-Ahman!” (Neal A. Maxwell, O Divine Redeemer!, Ensign, November 1981, p.10).
As we remain ever vigilant in defending freedom and keep our focus on the Savior of the World, His face will be revealed more clearly until one day Christ will come again to His people on this promised land. “And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there…”(D&C 45:66-67).
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