"TO THE OHIO"
Joseph & Emma Arrive in Kirtland, February 1831
by Artist Frank M. Thomas
Original Art Canvas, 22 sq. ft.
Historical Background:
In the Fall of 1830, four men arrived in the area of Kirtland Village, a part of the Connecticut Western Reserve's Ohio frontier region, near Lake Erie. The men, Mormon Missionaries from Palmyra, New York, came bearing a new book of scripture, called The Book of Mormon. They taught a message of the restored gospel and soon began baptizing new members into the newly established Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than a hundred were baptized in two months.
At about that time, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, in New York, that members of the Church should "assemble together at the Ohio." (D&C 37:3.) "There I shall give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high." (D&C 38;32.) "Inasmuch as my people shall assemble themselves at the Ohio, I have kept in store a blessing such as is not known among the children of men, and it shall be poured forth upon their heads. And from thence men shall go forth unto all nations." (D&C 39:15.)
Click on photo above for larger image
Accordingly, the first day of February, 1831, a two-horse sleigh arrived in Kirtland, from New York, and stopped in front of the Newell K. Whitney store. Its passengers included the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife Emma. The tall, young prophet stepped down and went into the store, approached the merchant, behind the counter, extended his hand and boldly addressed him by name, "Newel K. Whitney, thou art the man." Whitney, somewhat bewildered, responded, "I could not call you by name as you have called me." "I am Joseph the Prophet," the young man said. "You have prayed me here, now what do you want of me?"
With Joseph Smith's arrival, a glorious new era, had begun in tiny frontier Kirtland, Ohio. It was soon to become the "Cradle of Church Organization" in this Last Dispensation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The artist Frank Thomas produced this 22 sq. ft. canvas painting (in 2007) while serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Ohio Cleveland Mission, and assigned to the Kirtland Historical Sites. His continued on-site research was most invaluable in producing the painting, as was local access to Amish horse teams, harnesses and sleighs.
Canvas Art Print Offerings:
14" x 20" (signed by artist/rolled - ready to stretch)..........................$120.45
tube shipped.......................+$11.50
14" x 20" (signed by artist/stretched - ready to frame)......................$142.45
flat package shipped.............+$16.50
17" x 24" (signed by artist/rolled - ready to stretch)..........................$165.00
tube shipped........................+$12.25
17" x 24" (signed by artist/stretched - ready to frame)......................$189.00
flat package shipped.............+$17.50
24" x 34" (signed by artist/rolled only - ready to stretch)...................$280.50
tube shipped.........................+$14.50
31" x 44" (signed by artist/rolled only - ready to stretch)...................$445.50
tube shipped.........................+$16.50
(NOTE: The rolled print may be stretched in most frame shops before framing.)
*Please note*: Artist Frank Thomas' studio lithographic art print and giclee' canvas art print sales have now been resumed as of November 1st, 2008. He and his wife, Patreecia, have completed an eighteen month mission in the Ohio-Cleveland Mission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Kirtland Historic Village Sites, Kirtland, Ohio. He was asked by LDS Church General Authorities to paint early Church history scenes of 1830's Kirtland.
He has now returned home to his art studio at 206 North 100 East, Holden, Utah 84636 and is producing LDS historical paintings and Old West paintings at that site. His art prints may be purchased online by credit card or by personal check.
Call Frank at his Studio" (435) 795-2206 or (435) 406-9526, or contact directly by email wildgoose@crystalpeaks.com.