Minerva Teichert: ALMA BAPTIZING AT THE WATERS OF MORMON

THE STORY: After Alma heard and believed the preaching of Abinadi, he fled wicked King Noah's court and took refuge in the wilderness, where he shared Abinadi's teachings. He tells the people that if they wish to stand as witnesses of Christ at all times and in all things and in all places, they should be baptized--and they enthusiastically agreed.

"Now, there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king" (Mosiah 18:4).

"[Alma] did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God" (Mosiah 18:16).

ANALYSIS: The waters of Mormon are shown protected by thick trees on all sides. The danger in this scene is highlighted by the man on the right who isn't watching the baptism--he is looking towards the city, where King Noah has sent men to hunt the converts down. His posture suggests a soldier guarding with a spear, but he is instead holding onto one of the tree trunks surrounding the water. To me, this foreshadows the Anti-Nephi-Lehites, who lay down their weapons of war when they accept the gospel and represents the change of heart repentance brings. It also represents Alma's words when he challenges them to be baptized, asking them to stand as witnesses of God in all places, even until death (Mosiah 18:9).

The composition of this painting forms a diamond, with the sides marked by the believers awaiting baptism, and the center Alma baptizing. The tip of the diamond shows a patch of clear sky, representing the heavens; baptism opens a path back to heaven.

Three children form a smaller triangle. Teichert often captures different moments of the same scene in her murals. On the left, a boy emerges dripping wet from the baptism, Alma baptizes a child in the center, and a mother prepares her daughter to enter the waters of baptism on the right. These three children remind us of Jesus's words: "Ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name" (3 Nephi 11:37-38).

PERSONAL IMPACT: I love how Teichert shows us the women and children who converted to the gospel. Sometimes the scriptures forget to mention them, so it's important to me to make an effort to remember that they were there, too.