Idaho Falls Idaho Temple Sketch

The Idaho Falls Temple is one of a series of detailed pencil drawings and watercolor paintings created by the artist Chad S. Hawkins. In 1989, at the age of seventeen, Chad started this unique temple series becoming the original LDS artist to involve hidden spiritual images in his artwork. Before drawing each temple, Chad visits the temple site to research its history, construction, and beautiful surroundings. He then returns to his studio to draw the temple by referring to his notes, sketches, and photographs.

We must be baptized to show obedience and to become members of the Church of Jesus Christ. In our day, baptisms for the dead can be performed only in temples. Baptismal fonts for such purposes are placed in the lower portions of the temples. Hidden in the falls of the Snake River, which runs alongside the Idaho Falls Temple, is an image of two ox heads, symbolic of the twelve oxen supporting the baptismal fonts in the temples.

“I put the oxen underneath the temple because each of the temple baptismal fonts are located in the lower portions of the temples. They are in the flowing water, representing the washing away of sin,” said Chad.

“But I command you, all ye my Saints, to build a house unto me; and I grant unto you sufficient time to build a house unto me; and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.” (D&C 124:31)