Professional Artist Carol P. Harding My Testimony of the Pastel Painting "Reflections" I would like to share with you the most overwhelming spiritual experience I have ever had and which is still unfolding with a message that is going forward with an urgency far beyond my comprehension.  This experience pertains to a painting that I was creating in the summer of 2000 and involves the unusual way that the painting was finished.  I am grateful to the Lord for this humbling and sacred experience and the opportunity to share my testimony. While completing a pastel painting of a water garden and pond, there had been one particular area that was left unfinished because I wished to find just the right colors to compliment the rest of the piece.  A combination of blues were chosen to suggest reflections of the sky that would harmonize with the earth tones coming from the rocks in the background. I worked many hours one morning on that one area, but when the time drew close to noon, I realized that what  had been done was not successful.  Just then, my husband came to remind me that it was lunch time.  So, in frustration, I picked up a large, stiff brush and vigorously, with four or five quick downward swoops, eliminated the entire morning's work.  Then, without a glance at what had been done, I left the studio hopeful that later the problem could be solved. After attending to my family, I returned, with a prayer in my heart that there would be some successful solution to think of.  As soon as I looked upon the area that had previously been brushed away, I was stunned by the image that was there in its place.  It appeared to me to look like the Savior with outstretched hand.  There in the quiet, and experiencing the kindest, loving and gentlest of feelings, my spirit was overwhelmed with joy, renewal and comfort that is hard to express in words. The next two weeks were filled with prayers, fasting and trying to listen intently to the Holy Spirit, but negativity and fear of ridicule kept me from telling anyone.  Then, finally, I told my daughter that something had happened to my painting and asked her to tell me what she could see.  Like myself, she saw an image of the Savior.  It was then time to tell my husband.  He also saw not only the likeness of the Savior but others coming behind Him.  The painting was kept in the studio for quite some time, only showing it to family and close friends. When autumn came, through the scriptures and that still, small voice, I had faith that the Lord would guide me to know how and when to share the picture.  Then, those outside of the family, were inspired to come and see the painting and to ask of my testimony and the story pertaining to it.  Since then, my family and I find an overpowering joy in going wherever our Savior wants us to go and share this visual message. A book could be written of the miracles and blessings that have transpired since.  My family has come together in love and support never before felt.  We know that we must not tell others what to see or feel, but we do testify that the Lord loves us far beyond our comprehension.  We know that our Savior, Jesus Christ, will open the way for this painting's message. I say this in loving gratitude to my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Carol P. Harding

Lilies Lane Commentary: By Deb Cox I would like to add my testimony to Carol Harding's, as a big portion of my life is connected to her....she is my most amazing, talented mother.  As she expressed in her testimony, "the Lord will open the way for this painting's message", so I see the way, again, opening in new directions. My mother has faced many trials during her life (more than her share, I feel) but she has maintained a strong testimony and has always stood firm to her beliefs. The message, of the painting, came to her at a low point in her life.  Many trials were weighing on her shoulders with our family because of life-threatening illnesses.  The Lord provided a way for her to feel His love and peace and since then she has been sharing that feeling of love and peace with hundreds of women through firesides and Home, Family and Personal Enrichment visits. The hardest thing for her to do was to publicly share this experience.  After all, for most of her life she has expressed herself through colors on a canvas.  Now, she has been asked to express herself with words.  We know that some experiences are too sacred to share but as Marvin J. Ashton wrote: "We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.  It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them." I share this testimony with you because I know what a difference her story has made in the lives of many women and families over the years.  I know of the peace that this picture has brought to many who were suffering.  The message she would like to share with you is that the Lord is always there for us and as women in these difficult days, we need to be strong, take His hand and allow Him to lead us, guide us, give us peace and help us build strong families that will be ready to stand in the last days.  I say this with gratitude to a loving Heavenly Father who knows me, who knows you, and loves us and to my Savior, to whom I owe the greatest thankfulness to for his atoning sacrifice for me. Debra M. Cox

Read how the "Reflections" artwork inspired the the program "Reflecting the Light of the Lord" based on the  Relief Society Declaration. Lilies Lane is the official distributor of the "Reflections" print. Enter here for ordering options. Contact us for special offers given to  Relief Society and Young Women Organizations.