"Homage"

“Homage” was made in honor of the Artist’s grandfather, Leo Lydell Vance. 

We all want to know our loved ones have been taken up to heaven, perhaps even by that same chariot that Elijah the Prophet rode. After they have passed away, we can more easily see all the sacrifices they made throughout their life. We now remember all the ‘smoke’ [See paragraph 2] surrounding them daily as they freely gave of themselves, of their time and energy. We look back through tear-filled eyes and we realize how much of the Savior we saw reflected in them. We can’t help but imagine them as the Celestial beings they are to become and see the glow that surrounded them while still in mortality. 

We Love you. We miss you. We Honor you.

Anciently, God’s people were asked to offer up animal sacrifices. This was a type for the Savior as well as a way that one could show their faith in the Lord. The Smoke ascending up to heaven was to symbolize their sacrifice penetrating or reaching the heavens. With the coming of Christ, we were no longer asked to give an animal sacrifice, but rather, we were asked to ultimately put ourselves on the alter and bring a ‘broken heart and contrite spirit.’ (3rd Nephi 9:19-20.) We have been asked to give up all of ourselves to the Lord and to do his will. 

As Followers of Christ we are asked to emulate his light, become ‘like him’ (Moroni 7:48.) With the process of time we have been promised ‘All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers,’ (D&C 121:29) as we live as Christ did. Then, as we endure this life, we will receive our exaltation and ultimately become like our father in heaven. 

When Elijah was taken up into heaven, a chariot of fire came down to pick him up. (2kings 2:11) Horses swept down drawing that very holy chariot.