Presented as two 24" x 30" panels mounted in a custom made wood frame resembling the original art hanging in the LDS Church History Museum.

I feel the idea or concept in any work is crucial—its what makes or breaks the painting. Greater Love Hath No Man began with the idea to paint an historical event that I have known about my entire life - The murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Joseph Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints. Joseph and his brother Hyrum were shot and killed by an angry mob on June 27, 1844 while they were in prison at Carthage Jail in Carthage, IL.

My inspiration was to paint the scene just before Hyrum Smith was shot through the jailors bedroom door. As a child, I learned the story and saw pictures of the door that still has the bullet hole in it. I wanted to create a painting that reflected my childhood reaction while remaining historically rich. And I felt a powerful way to do this was through a diptych, a two-panel painting, showing the struggle of the men on both sides of the wall just moments before the shot through the door.

Discover the making of Greater Love Hath No Man