Personal Stories

by Carol Allison, Dec. 7, 2011

I first saw copies of Sallman’s paintings of Jesus when I was 6 or 7, in the early 1940s. We had just started going to church. The copies of these paintings used to be on fans that were passed out in church. I remember one night during our revival meetings that two young sisters sang the song “Oh, I’ve found that Stone that was hewn out of the mountain, Lord, I’ve found that stone that came rolling down from Babylon. I’ve found that Stone that was hewn out of the mountain, Lord, tearing down the kingdom of this world. Jesus is the Stone that . . .” Before they started singing they had gone to the back of the church, the lights were turned out, and they came searching all over the sanctuary looking for that Stone. When they got to the front, they shined a flashlight on one of Sallman’s pictures of Christ. It was very impressive. I’ve never gotten over that night when they sang that song, and when I first saw Sallman’s paintings.

by Elizabeth Lamarche, Nov. 30, 2011

I always admired the large 30×40 beautiful painting of “Christ knocking at heart’s door” which hung at the St. Joseph’s Convent where I attended high school, in Quebec, Canada. As a young girl, I told my grandmother that the artist forgot to paint a handle on the door. My grandmother told me at the time that the meaning of this painting was there was no handle on the door in the painting because the door symbolized the door to the human heart, which can only be opened from the inside. I never forgot that beautiful explanation. Later when the sisters retired to the motherhouse and the convent closed, I purchased the large print of “Christ knocking at heart’s door,” and it reminds me of the lesson my grandmother taught me. I have it hung in my upsatirs hallway and you see it as soon as you come up the stairs. It also tells us we know not the day or the hour when Christ shall call us home, so we should be ready.

by Holly Coey, Nov. 14, 2011

While I don’t have a specific memory of first seeing the Head of Christ, it is definitely ingrained in my consciousness as the most famous “Sunday School” picture of Jesus of all time. Like many, it is one, if not my very favorite picture of Jesus. It is also my grandma’s favorite (dad’s side, age 84).

by Woody Austin, Sept. 28, 2011

I served three tours in Vietnam. My assignments caused me to do things that I thought could never be forgiven by God. Through Christ’s great atonement I know now that all I had to do was to open the door from within my heart; only I could do that. I am an active Mormon now and this picture assures me of his love for me and all of God’s children. How can I repay Christ for all he went through for me to be forgiven?

by BJ Kuykendall, Aug. 17, 2011

From the earliest days I can remember Warner Sallman’s artwork has, for me, captured the character of Christ and ministered to my soul. The expressions in particular communicate so much: his kindness, his love. When I was a child, I was given a small “Head of Christ” picture and reminded that Jesus was to be my example in all things. I remember many times looking at that picture and asking the LORD to help me be more like Jesus. As a father of seven young children, I am seeking to pass the blessing on. I have shared pictures with my two oldest sons and given them the similar challenge. Thank you for preserving this wonderful artwork.