First Temple Painting

After painting nine landscape paintings he had a desire to paint the temple. He decided to paint the Idaho Falls temple. This painting would be especially for the Lord.  As he painted, he had in his mind and heart to paint the feeling of the Savior inviting you into the temple, with the words, “Come unto me and I will give you rest”.  Kendall said, “I want it to feel like you are going up the steps to enter the temple and you feel the Savior’s loving invitation. You can see the words on the temple which envelopes you with reverence and the holiness of the Lord as you enter His house.”

Gold Sunset: Kendall had some special “references” images of a gold sunset he had taken when he was east of Jackson one evening. He had saved them with the thought, “Someday I will put this sunset in a powerful painting.”  When he was painting the Idaho Falls temple, he knew this was the painting for that sunset.

In this painting the sunset makes the powerful statement of second coming, faith, and glory!

Pros for the temple painting: Kendall wanted some words to go with this painting that expressed his feelings and the feelings of the temple that are eternal.  He asked his daughter to help write the pros that he could put with this temple painting.  She spent hours of research and prayer to write these pros and Kendall helped refine those words.

These are the original pros:

As you ascend these sacred steps and enter this place of holiness,

cast aside your earthly cares and lay your worrisome burdens at His feet.

Here in His house, you will find refuge from the tormenting winds of temptation

and the withering heat of worldly pressures. As you immerse your soul in His

peace, He will wipe away the tears of despair from your eyes. Your heart

will be filled from living fountains of pure waters, and as mortality gently

fades, you will, for a moment, embrace the riches of eternity.

These words are included with many of Kendall’s temple paintings with selected versions. This painting is now in many homes including the Pocatello mission home, where it draws people to the temple and the Lord’s sacred purposes within. 

Your Feelings about the Temple