I initially had the idea to have him kneeling, the sun behind him and his hands resting on the pommel of his sword.   The whole pose was to look prayerful with the sword pointed into the ground to show that he did not desire war and bloodshed.   I had finished my sketch and was getting ready to begin my painting when my then 7 year old son, Tristan, said that he should have his sword up.   I explained to him my idea but he said in reply, "But, dad, the sword represents the Spirit, right?   So Moroni would always be holding up the Spirit."   How do you argue with that?   He was right.   Captain Moroni is the perfect illustration of the armor of God and for my purposes should be represented as such.

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