Triptych Crucifixion

The Museum of Art here at BYU has some impressive pieces of religious art. I especially appreciated Bernard Sleigh's The Crucifixion: A Triptych. Originally commissioned for a prison in the UK in 1906, an employee saved it from destruction during a renovation and re-decorating of the prison. It then sat at her house for years until she passed away, someone inherited it, they sold it to a collector, and BYU bought it from the collector.
I love the symbolism. I'm grateful for the curator for pointing out some things. Those who are bowing to the Savior include a soldier, judge, king, and priest, emphasizing Christ's preeminence over armies, laws, governments, and the Church. The vine climbing the cross represents Christ's role as the True Vine. "INRI" is what the sign over His head says, standing for "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum", or "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." But perhaps the element I most enjoy about this painting is the simple fact that the cross bridges the earth with the heavens. Truly, that is the essence of the Atonement. Jesus Christ suffered for sins and sufferings, so that we may be able to be redeemed, saved, atoned for, being brought back into the presence of the Father by way of the Son. At this Thanksgiving season, I share my thanks for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and for art that teaches true doctrine.

The JST

I've always thought that the JST (Joseph Smith Translation) of the Bible was really interesting. It's actually not really a translation--more of just some inspired changes. I'd always thought that all of the changes were to reverse or correct errors made by designing and corrupt priests and incompetent and careless translators, but I just learned something new about it:
The classic opening of the Gospel of John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1) is a favorite passage throughout Christianity. Joseph Smith changes the wording a great deal to read: "In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God." (JST John 1:1). My purpose of mentioning this is not to get into the doctrinal and theological changes that Joseph Smith made to this and the verses that follow it, but to share with you what I've learned about the JST. Apparently, there was an ancient Christian hymn as follows:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was before God And the Word was God."
This is almost identical to the un-JST-changed KJV version. So why did Joseph Smith change it, if it was most likely a part that has not been corrupted? The JST must be more than just corrections. It's also prophetic commentary. As my professor said, sometimes the JST was explaining the mind of God, as God had revealed to the original prophets. Basically, the JST seems to also insert things that were in the mind of God, which even the original writers did not put down. I think this is amazing. It strengthens my testimony of the JST, and of the Bible. If God could inspire one man, He could inspire another, and since both are inspired by God, He makes it work.

Somewhere In Dreamland

Dreams are funny things. I've had a couple of interest recently:
Dream #1. I was walking down the sidewalk, minding my own business, and Mr. Palin (this was the week before Election Day), complete with goatee, asks me, "Are you Dallin Bailey?" "Yes," I answer. Enter Sarah Palin. "We just wanted to thank you for forwarding that letter up to us in Alaska for us. Our daughter really needed it." I suddenly (this is all part of the dream) remembered getting a letter in the mail that was not addressed to me, so I put it back in the mailbox and forwarded it on. The Palins then gave me a big hug, there on the street. I kind of wanted to get my picture taken with them, but I didn't want to embarrass them (obviously this was a dream--what kind of politician doesn't like their picture taken?). I felt warm and fuzzy.

Dream #2. Scene 1: I was driving around some obscure rural town as a missionary with my brother Douglas, I think. We were staying at this lady's house for free. We went driving somewhere, and saw a homeless-looking man with a white beard standing at an intersection. I pulled over and offered him a ride. He got in, we took him to the lady's house, and I told him he could stay there, too. Turns out he was one of those alternative medicine people, specializing in magnet therapy for sore joints. I happened to have really sore knuckles, so he got out his little magnet tool and started rubbing my knuckle really hard. Right then, the lady came in. "Why is he staying here?" she asked. The man says, "Yeah, this is awkward." Scene 2: As I stood outside the BYU library, I saw my friend, Joseph Boone, and told him about my dream. Yes, in my dream, I told my buddy about my dream.

Any interpretations? Anybody? Personally, I think it's interesting how my political views and willingness to offer things that aren't mine show up in my dreams. I've always been pretty skeptical of alternative medicine, too.