Description |
CCA zealously fulfilled his missions. Now, he realized its potential as a religious, as well as a financial source. Two of CCA's major paintings are in the Manti Temple. One depicts the Temple hill with an Indian encampment in the foreground. The other features the Manti Temple with newly landscaped grounds and elaborate terraces. The latter painting was commissioned by the Sanpete Stake Relief Society. Farming frequently took precedence over painting, as one of his writings bemoans: "One will most often find the Utah artist in overalls, with a broad brimmed straw hat, in a field, armed with a pitchfork, or other fanning implement in practical work, in order to fill the bellies of himself and his families, instead of following the bidding of Apollo." With the consent of President Wilford Woodruff, CCA painted a remarkable mural on the interior west wall of the old Ephraim Tabernacle. This portrayed the Angel Moroni delivering the gold plates to Joseph Smith. Painted curtains framed the scene, to enhance the drama. The plaster on the wall deteriorated. Eventually, the mural was removed and the wall was replastered. His literary efforts during the final two decades of his life consisted of a variety of subjects. He compiled theological essays and articles on religious subjects, translated sermons of church leaders, and wrote poetry and a travel guide for Utah. CCA taught a class in drawing, and gave instuction in the Danish language at Sanpete Stake Academy in 1893-1894. He received no pay. He maintained a lively interest in politics, and stumped the area for the Republican party in 1894-1895 in support of women's suffrage and ratification of Utah as a state.' In 1896-1897 he traveled in Utah with the panorama, lecturing as a missionary during each presentation. He taught the Danish language again at the renamed Snow Academy in 1899, and encouraged children of immigrants to become fluent in their mother tongue. l01 |