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.

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.

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).

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?

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.

My fifth grandchild was born in 2005 with multiple heart birth defects and received three open-heart surgeries within four months. His chances of surviving were almost nonexistant. He and his older brother were spending the night with me a few weekends ago as I prepared a table display for my Sunday School class on Easter morning. I had a framed print of the wonderful painting of Christ knocking at the heart’s door. John calmly said, “Nonnie, he came to see me when I was a little baby in the hospital.” I replied, “He did?” “Yes Ma’m, he did.” “Well, was he pretty like the picture?” “Yes, Ma’m.” “Did he talk to you?” “Uh-huh.” “What did he say to you, Darling?” “He told me I was cute.” I asked my doctor about the statements and he told me never to dismiss or dispell what these children tell you. I certainly prayed that God would be with him and still do. Obviously my prayers were being answered.

I accepted Christ into my heart at the age of 5, assisted by Sallman’s “Christ at Heart’s Door.” When I was 3 or 4, my mom bought the picture at a rummage sale and hung it in the living room. Over the years I would stand and stare at the picture. The picture provoked questions I asked of my Mom and through her answers one night I began asking Christ to come into my heart. I couldn’t understand why Jesus couldn’t just walk in … after all He is Jesus! Mom explained the door had no knob. She said you will have to open that door yourself and invite him in. I became frustrated on how to open that door. Finally I yelled in tears of frustration for my Mom. She came in, and we prayed right there. The next day was Sunday and I wanted to go forward and publicly accept Christ into my heart. When it was time, I thought maybe I would just wait a while. But with Mom’s guidance and God’s help I put one foot into the aisle and seemed to float to the front of the church. Tears streamed down my face, and a friend asked me why I was crying. I told her those were happy tears, because Jesus now lived in my heart. I am 62 now. Mom passed away this year. This picture was the one thing I personally asked her for some years ago. I will now hang it and tell my story anytime someone asks me why I have this picture.

I want to tell you about the Sallman Head of Christ picture hanging in my bedroom. The picture was purchased by my mother for her mother in the 1940s. When my grandmother died, my mother gave me the picture. I did not hang it in my bedroom until summer of 2009, when my husband (pictured) had radiation treatments for cancer and was so weak he could not get out of bed for two months. When he lay in bed, he faced the Head of Christ picture, which allowed him to keep his eyes on Jesus. My husband died September 2010. He stood in faith during the entire three years he had cancer, believing he was healed. And now he is, and in heaven with the Lord; our prayers were answered. My husband grew in faith and relationship with God. He did not waver. He believed God and told anyone who would listen, including the physicians, nurses, and family and friends what God was doing for him. I believe that this picture played a significant part of his faith journey. Now it is helping me keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

I was 13 years old when my mother and I went to an auction, and in the auction they auctioned the picture of Jesus. I told my mother how I felt about selling that, so she bought it for me. She paid $5 for it. In 1966 I got married and settled down, and I told my mother that I wanted her to keep it till something happened and I would get it back. In 1991 my mother died, and my father would not part with the picture. In 2003 he passed away. A little while after that, they had a rummage sale. By the time I got there, they had sold a lot of stuff. I thought either they sold it or one of my siblings got it. So it went on till one day I was talking to my sister, and she acted like she did not know about it. Well, today my sister came over and she had the picture. Talk about full circle, I have the picture with me, and it will be handed down to one of my siblings. I still have the same feelings today that I had when I was 13 years old.

As I was growing up I remember Warner Sallman’s Head of Christ in our family’s dining room and it always made me feel the presence of Christ in my life. Last year my Mother asked me if there was anything in her house that I would like as a keepsake. I knew right away that the one thing I would cherish is this picture. I now have it hanging in my kitchen. I am so blessed to have been given this gift from my mother. She turned 92 this month and because of God’s grace and mercy I still have this wonderful woman in my life. When she is called home to heaven I will be able to look at my Head of Christ and remember the faith that she instilled in me.