Types and Shadows: Intimations of Divinity

A type and shadow is a symbol or representation of something that is to come. Types and shadows are found throughout scripture. Examples include the binding of Isaac by his father Abraham for sacrifice. This is a type and shadow of our Heavenly Father sending his son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for our sins. Through Christ’s atonement we are able to return to live with our Heavenly Father. Another example found in the Old Testament is the manna that was sent down to the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. This “bread of life” is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ, for it is through him that we can obtain eternal life.


The reason I discuss this theme of scripture is because this past week I had the opportunity to attend an exhibit in Brigham Young University’s Museum of Art titled "Types and Shadows: Intimations of Divinity". Each work of art is meant to exhibit some type or shadow of Christ or a gospel principle in general. Each of the works is beautiful in their own right. But the fact that each alludes to the divine in some way adds to their character. I appreciated this exhibit very much and was grateful for the opportunity that I had to attend the museum.


One of the first paintings that we viewed was a painting that most Latter-day Saints are familiar with. It is of Lehi and his family aboard a great ship. In the background we see numerous birds that signal the approaching land mass. Although the painting may seem like an ordinary painting the tour guide reminded us of a scripture found in 1 Nephi 17:8 which reads, “Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.” When the painting is viewed with this reference in mind I believe that it takes on an even greater meaning. Not only did the Lord provide a way for them to sail across the sea but he was constantly by their side helping to metaphorically “carry” them across the water.


I was deeply impressed by another painting in the museum. It is a painting of the prodigal son returning home to meet his father. There is a grand stair case that leads to a great house. The father has descended the stairs to meet the son even before the son can take two steps up the stairs. The son is clothed is rags which seem to tell of his struggles, while the father is in extravagant apparel. In this painting I found a very important type and shadow of Christ and our Heavenly Father. No one is perfect, we know this to be true, but even though we often go astray and make the wrong choices the minute we decide to turn our life around and continue in a path of righteousness our Heavenly Father will be waiting with open arms to greet us. He loves each and every one of us and wants us to succeed and return to live with him.


I have enjoyed the many opportunities that I have to visit the Museum of Art and am grateful that we were given time to attend this particular exhibit as we learn about our nations history. This is because I believe that the divine influence helped create this country. To quote George Washington, “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand… more than the People of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced…to an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.”