Drawings......trying something for the first time

I follow a blog called Simple Inspiration.  The blogger, Allison, does all these wonderful drawings to go with her studies.  Especially during General Conference.  I have been really impressed by the beauty of her creativity!

You can see a sample of one of her blog posts with her drawings in it HERE.  There are several of these types of posts.  Click on the category: "scripture journal" on the right side of the blog to see more.

I have been studying the lesson for Relief Society this Sunday in the manual, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, Chapter 11: Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith.

As I got to the part where President Smith is talking about the different keys that were restored to the earth and by whom, I thought about the drawings I had seen on the Simple Inspiration blog, and I got inspired!!

In the margins of the manual, I drew pictures of keys.  Each on representing the priesthood power that was restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I had so much fun!

This first key represents the restoration of the priesthood.  The A stands for the Aaronic Priesthood and the M stands for the Melchizedek Priesthood.  The three notches on the key represent the president and two counselors in the various offices of the Priesthood.

Moses appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the keys of the gathering of Israel.  This key, with its missionary tag and globe represents the worldwide missionary efforts of the Church.  The notches represent the two years the young men serve in the mission field, and the year and a half the young women serve in the mission field.

Elias then appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the keys and the blessings that were conferred upon Abraham, and the promises given to his posterity.  The tree represents the family tree, as we are all connected together through our family relationships.  The dots under the tree represent the sands on the seashore, which is the way that God used to describe to Abraham how numerous his descendants would be.  The notches represent Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Joseph and Ephriam, through whom I trace my lineage.

Then Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored the keys to the sealing power on the earth, the power of the priesthood to bind on earth and seal in heaven.  The top of the key represents the spires of the temples, where the angel Moroni is declaring the blessing of the everlasting gospel to all the world.  The sun represents the Celestial Kingdom where we all aspire to be worthy of living our eternal lives, together with our families.  The notches in this key simply represent a progression through the plan our Heavenly Father has for us.

I really enjoyed drawing the keys, and the way they would symbolize the keys of the Priesthood.  It gave me a chance to SHOW what the principles I was learning represent to me.  I think I will be using drawing a lot more often from now on!