February 9, 1921

In 1921, Elder David O. McKay, an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled around the world to observe the condition of the church and the world after the end of the World War. In February of 1921 he was in Beijing China. There, on February 9, 1921 he and his traveling companion Hugh Cannon found themselves outside of the Forbidden City. Elder McKay felt impressed to offer a prayer, dedicating the land of China for the eventual preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There were few photographs taken that day. One photograph shows a tree with a large branch that emerges from the main trunk very close to the ground. It is from that photo that I created this scene, Elder McKay and Brother Cannon standing outside the Forbidden City, hats removed and heads bowed in prayer.

Unfortunately, the original ink and watercolor painting was destroyed by fire on November 8, 2018 when the artist’s studio in Concow, Butte County, California burned in the Camp Fire (which also destroyed much of the city of Paradise, CA).  This is a high quality giclee print. Each print is 15″ x 20″, signed by the artist and a certificate of authenticity is included. mat and frame not included.