The San Diego California Temple is one of a series of detailed pencil drawings and paintings created by 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 it's history, construction, and beautiful surroundings. He then returns to his studio to draw the temple by referring to his notes, sketches, and photographs.
In his address prior to offering the temple's dedicatory prayer, President Gordon B. Hinckley, said: This is a beautiful building. But I would like to emphasize that it is not the architecture of the temple that is significant, nor is its appearance. The significant thing about this temple is the ordinances of the gospel that will be administered here. The ordinances, he explained, deal with the things of eternity. There would be no purpose to build temples, if there was no immortality. (Deseret News, Monday, 26 April 1993) President Howard W. Hunter has counseled us, saying, Let us truly be a temple-attending and temple-loving people. We should hasten to the temple as frequently, yet prudently, as our personal circumstances allow. . . . As we attend the temple, we learn more richly and deeply the purpose of life and the significance of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ensign, February 1995, p. 5). Reminding us of these truths, the Savior is depicted kneeling on the grass in prayer among the shadows of the palm trees.
This comes in a 11x14 or a 16x20 print.