
Symbolism - Believe in Him Exhibit
We invite you to prepare spiritually for your visit by learning more about the Savior in this Christ-centered, stained-glass masterpiece, full of symbolism. This page is not a comprehensive list of the symbolic elements of the window but is a great place to deepen your understanding of the loving-kindness of Jesus Christ.
Please see below to learn more about how Christ blessed people anciently and continues to bless His followers with strength today.
To learn more about the symbolism in one of the nine window panes, please tap the tiles below.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the only figure in the entire composition who is bending over, symbolizing that He "descended below all things" (1 Nephi 11:13-17, D&C 88:6, D&C 122:8).
What does it mean to descend below all things? It means Christ suffered for each of us so nothing we experience in this life is beyond His reach and help, so long as we repent and come unto Him with a sincere heart (D&C 19:16-19).

These beautifully captured glass lilies remind us that Heavenly Father cares about our welfare and will provide for us if we have faith (3 Nephi 13:28-34). He will provide for our needs because our "walls are continually before [Him]" (Isaiah 49:16).

Davinci's Masterpiece, The Last Supper, painted sometime between 1495 and 1498 is referenced in the "Believe in Him" stained glass display, depicted in the frieze of a Roman Pantheon. The Savior instituted the sacrament to His disciples before His crucifixion (Mark 14:12-18).

Mary was told by the angel, Gabriel, she would be the mother to the Savior during an event known as the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-35). Additionally, this woman represents the five wise virgins in the parable of the ten (Matthew 25:1-13). The oil lamp in her left hand represents increasing testimony and Mary as a chosen receptacle, with the oil vial in her right hand representing purity and preparation.

With just five loaves and two fishes, Christ fed 5,000 men (Matthew 14:15-21). This basket held by Martha serves as a powerful reminder that the Savior, through His grace, can multiply our efforts as we turn to Him to make our weaknesses become strong in Him (Ether 12:27).

This woman represents several scripture stories, including the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:7-26), the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48), and the woman taken in adultery (John 8:2-11). Each were helped by the Redeemer to feel uplifted as they understood He was their Savior and is unfathomably forgiving and loving as the Master Healer.

"Lazarus, come forth" (John 11:43) are timeless words spoken by the Savior as he raised him from the dead. Lazarus' placement in the composition serves as a reminder that all will be resurrected because Christ overcame death by His Atoning Sacrifice. The Lord said, "I am the resurrection" (John 11:25). It is through Christ that one day each of us will "come forth" from the grave and come before God in the Final Judgement (Mosiah 16:6-12).

Christ is often referred to as the "Rock of our Redeemer" (Helaman 5:12), making it fitting to capture His attributes in the shape of stones in the stained glass. This part of the exhibit describes Jesus as a meek lamb (1 Peter 1:18-20), noble lion (Isaiah 11:7), and as living water (John 4:7-26).
Additionally, the staff of Moses with its brazen serpent, represents the power Christ has to guide us through our personal wilderness in safety and wisdom (1 Nephi 17:13).

When Christ was baptized, "he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:16-17). The dove present in the stained glass represents the Holy Ghost and helps us remember the need we have for constant connection to God through the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).

The altar smoke coming from the Temple of Herod reminds the viewer of the Atoning Sacrifice of the Lamb of God (Isaiah 53:4-9, Alma 34:13-17). Christ is often referred to as the Lamb because lambs were sacrificed anciently to remedy sin, according to the Law of Moses. To fulfil the Mosiac Law, Jesus Christ was sacrificed to atone for the sins of the world as the great and last sacrifice, ending the shedding of blood with the eternally significant offering of His blood.

The placement of the olive press and garden tomb door represent both the rolling stone that crushes olives to extract oil and the door of the tomb where Christ was resurrected. Even the name "Garden of Gethsemane" in Hebrew means "olive press" or "oil press." This symbol reminds us that one day, all of mankind will be resurrected (John 11:25, D&C 76:16-17), that Jesus Christ lives today, and that through Him, we can return to live with God the Father.

The keys Peter is holding represent the priesthood, or the power and authority of God. The sealing power Christ gave Peter anciently to unite families together for eternity, or to "bind on earth" and "in heaven" (Matt 16:15-19) was lost when the apostles died. Through Joseph Smith, the sealing power and additional priesthood keys were restored to the Earth through several angelic visitors, including Peter (D&C 27:12-13, D&C 110).
Watch "For God So Loved the World"
After learning about some of the symbolism in the exhibit, watch a short video based on John 3:16 produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The video highlights many of the key events of the Savior’s life on Earth.
Because Heavenly Father sent His son to atone for the sins of the World, we can be forgiven of our sins and feel peace in this life and the life to come. Feel the Savior’s love for you during your visit to the Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center as you learn more about His Atonement and teachings and how He can and will strengthen you in difficult times (Matthew 11:28-30).
Experience the Exhibit with the Free Interactive App
The Believe in Him app, available on the Apple App Store, includes AR, or augmented reality, where the stained glass in front of you comes alive from a marvelous two-dimensional window into an interactive wonder.
Tapping on the figures present on the app plays audio highlighting Bible scripture stories.
Experience stained glass like never before as you learn about the Savior at the Visitors’ Center!
Curious How the Stained Glass was Put Together?
Learn more about the development and symbolism of the Believe in Him stained glass masterpiece with an informative interview featuring Lilly Gaskin, a sophomore at Brigham Young University. Lilly contributed to the glass shard assembly process and the narration and written content for the display’s interactive app.