Consider this an example of realism Prismacolor. I used to be a member of the Mormon church, but not anymore. I've come to detest Christianity. I was asked to draw this picture for the 200th celebration of Joseph Smith's birthday last June, and for some reason, I couldn't refuse. So I went out to Seagull Book and bought a post card with a painting of Joseph and Emma Smith. Out of all the paintings, I liked this one the best. So I transferred the 4"x6" image on the post card to printer paper and enlarged it to 5 1/2"x7 1/2". Then I copied the story on the card and put it on the back of the picture. It is as follows:

"A Father's Gift

The gift of life is our most precious gift. The privilege to co-create with our spouse and our Heavenly Father is a sacred trust.

After losing a son, Joseph and Emma knew tragedy again in Kirkland, Ohio, when their newly born twins died within hours of birth. Losing children a second time was almost more than they could bear.

A few miles away, tragedy also struck the Murdock family. After bearing twins, Julia Murdock died, leaving her husband not only with the newborn twins, but five other children as well.

Brother Murdock heard of the Smith's great loss and called the prophet to his home. There, out of grief and selfless love much like that of our Heavenly Father's, Brother Murdock asked Joseph to take the twins and raise them as his own.

With difficulty and humble gratitude, Joseph carried the twins back home and placed them in the arms of his weak and grieving wife Emma.


A Father's Gift portrays the love of three fathers. Our Heavenly Father entrusted the twins to John and Julia Murdock. Brother Murdock entrusted them to Joseph, who brought them to Emma. Joseph and Emma loved and raised the twins as if they were their own."

I no longer believe anything in Christianity. I also refuse to believe anymore. Hate me if you will, I don't care. All of Christendom is a lie. All of it. I am disabling comments because I don't care what any of you have to say about me being evil or lost because I have no faith in God. God has abandoned me, so I have abandoned Him, and I am never going back.


Tools used: 0.7 mechanical pencil, Prismacolor pencils, a tad bit of Photoshop CS
Time taken: Don't remember, sorry

Image © Candice Cats, me
Reference painting © Liz Lemon Swindle