Artist: Tyrone Whitehorse
Title: Nihi Yaazhi danółʼį́
Medium: Original Oil on Canvas
Size: 24"x30" (~26x32)
Artist Statement:
3 Nephi 17:20-23 One of the most tender stories in the scriptures to me comes from the Book of Mormon and the Savior's visit to the people of the Americas after His resurrection. When Christ indicated to them that He needed to leave but he would return the next day to continue to minister to them, the collective heart of the people longed for him to stay. This demonstration of their belief and faith in him moved the Savior to tears, he had not seen such faith during His mortal ministry. Because of this faith of the people, Jesus was willing to extend blessings to these people that He was not able to among the people in Israel. It was then that he took their little children, wept for them, blessed them, prayed unto the Father for them, then wept for them again because his joy was full. Once this was done (one by one) he spoke to the multitude and said: "Behold your little ones." In my interpretation these little ones, their children were now theirs forever, they were now THEIR little ones, sealed by Christ forever. In my Navajo language the most precious way a parent refers to their children, even when they are grown is Shi yaazh, which is literally translated as "my little one". There are very few words in any language that hold the most powerful feelings of love and care than these, the very same words the Savior used to refer to the children of the Americas when he came and visited them.