A More Excellent Hope

One summer evening we went to the Los Angeles Temple to get references with which Kendall painted this painting. This temple is on a hill with a large front lawn. It is located near some busy streets with many commercial businesses. There was a great contrast of quiet stillness as we entered the temple grounds. We walked up near the front of the temple. It was a surprise to see the large rectangular pool with flowers all around it. When the lights came on, illuminating the temple, tall palm trees, and pool, it gave the feelings of importance, harmony, and peace. It was amazing to see how beautiful it was.

It is very difficult to get a good view of this side of the temple. Kendall spent a long time getting references up close and memorizing the feelings there. As Kendall painted this painting he worked to get the whole view of it as if you were walking close to the pool. In order to capture each part of it he painted everywhere he was looking.

The contrast of the world and the Lord's Kingdom here on earth helps us know there is "A More Excellent Hope", Kendall's name for this painting. Can you feel like you are there walking around the pool and feeling the spirit that is there? Yolanda