REVERENCE

 

During Christmas I posted an endearing picture of baby Jesus by Jenedy Paige. According to Facebook, that post reached 14.7 people. Many people commented to me how incredibly touched they were by that post and I know why. In it I conveyed all the research that the artist had made concerning the holy birth but what I know touched the hearts of many was her explanation I quoted of what she felt whilst the painting was evolving. She said it made her weep as she reflected on the Father’s feelings during His Son’s birth which foreshadowed His death.

I adore good art. It is one talent I wish I had. I follow many artists and have an enormous amount of copies of their paintings saved in my computer that I use for my posts. I always give accreditation when I use them because I want everyone to know who possesses such talent and I hope it is good advertisement of their work.

This past week I came across this painting titled La Pieta by a young Italian artist called Fabio Cuffari. It nearly stopped my heart. The richness of this painting was so visually arresting for me, I could not stop looking at it. I reflected on the many paintings of Christ’s birth I used this Christmas and remembered all of Mary’s love for her baby  reflected in them. When I look at this painting I still see the baby in Mary’s arms. A mother’s heart always remembers those first days of birth, even at death and this painting portrays that for me.

I am talking about this because I do not believe that AI could ever portray the feelings of the spirit in any piece of art because it was not created by its influence. I have seen AI pictures of Jesus with smooth and handsome faces but with abnormal hands and feet. We have recently had a few leaders talk about our use of AI for spiritual purposes. This is something we should take notice of very seriously:

“My dear brothers and sisters, as sophisticated as modern technology has become, it simply cannot simulate the wonder, awe, and amazement found in the kind of reverence born from the influence of the Holy Ghost. As followers of Christ, we need to be careful not to weaken our connection with God and His Son by using AI-generated content and images inappropriately.

“We should remember that relying on a modern technological “arm of the flesh” is an inadequate and disrespectful substitute for the inspiration, edification, and witness that can be received only through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Elder Ulisses Soares, “Reverence for Sacred Things” April 2025 General Conference)

I am a writer and I am passionate about Christ and His gospel. What propels me and motivates me to write is the connection I feel with the divine when I do so. Like Jenedy Paige, my writing feeds my soul….and if it feeds mine, then it must feed some others. Many of my poems were inspired by good works of art and I know that the artist's inspiration had fed my own. Artificial intelligence cannot simulate that.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: La Pieta by Fabio Cuffari)