How can sacred art help us feel closer to the Savior and more fully understand his Atonement? In this episode, professor of ancient scripture John Hilton III discusses his new book Behold the Lamb: A Visual Witness of the Savior's Final Hours, created with Anthony Sweat and J. Kirk Richards. The book gathers contemporary Latter-day Saint artwork depicting the final twelve hours of Christ's mortal life and invites deeper reflection on each piece through artist insights, artistic commentary, and cultural context.

Professor Hilton explores why Latter-day Saints often favor images of Gethsemane and the Resurrection over those of the Crucifixion, how scripture emphasizes Christ's death as central to His Atonement, and how sacred art can help us "behold the Lamb of God…[who] was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world" (1 Nephi 11: 32–33) with greater devotion. This episode offers a meaningful way to enrich your Easter season and deepen your discipleship.

Publications:

Behold the Lamb: A Visual Witness of the Savior's Final Hours, co-authored with Anthony Sweat and J. Kirk Richards, Religious Studies Center (2026)
Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us with Christ, Deseret Books (2021)
"The Loving Christ," in The Power of Christ's Deliverence, Religious Studies Center (2022)
Highlighted artwork:

A Place Called Gethsemane, Anthony Sweat
Arms of Mercy, Anthony Sweat
Judged of the World, Emilie Buck Lewis
King of the Jews, Tyler Swain
Advocate, Chad Winks
Christ's Cross, Joseph Chu
And Israel's Daughters Wept Around, Rose Datoc Dall
Finisher of Our Faith, Eva Koleva Timothy
How Beautiful upon the Mountain…, Maureen Merrell
View His Death, Anthony Sweat
Spear in His Side, J. Kirk Richards
Descent From The Cross, Brian Kershisnik
Held, Kristin Alley Carver
At Birth and Death, Esther Candari
Nicodemus in the Tomb, Lester Yocum

Click here to learn more about John Hilton III, here to learn more about Anthony Sweat, and here to learn more about J. Kirk Richards

Episode 142: A Visual Witness of the Savior's Final Hours (John Hilton III)