Here’s some other examples to check out:

The Ascension, Northern French ivory carving work, about 1160-70 AD, the right hand of the Father extends down to grasp Christ’s right hand, during Christ’s ascension into heaven.
http://rubens.anu.edu.au/raid3/new/england/london/museums/victoria_and_albert/ivories/northern_french/_thumbnails/PICT8269.JPG

Christ’s Ascension, Drogo Sacramentary (Paris BN lat. 9428), 9th cent. The right hand of the Father extends down to grip the right hand of Christ, as Christ stands on a small hill. (L’Ascension 40 jours après la résurrection de Pâques Jésus caché par une nuée s’élève dans le ciel IXe siècle Bibliothèque nationale Paris).

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oAjpSCHvrRE/S4xYjnQWrMI/AAAAAAAAADg/kKy_DLVRj5U/S570/L%27Ascension+40+jours+apr%C3%A8s+la+r%C3%A9surrection+de+P%C3%A2ques+J%C3%A9sus+cach%C3%A9+par+une+nu%C3%A9e+s%27%C3%A9l%C3%A8ve+dans+le+ciel+IXe+si%C3%A8cle+Biblioth%C3%A8que+nationale+Paris.jpg

Ancient American cases:

There’s even cases where ancient American “gods” ascend, with helping hands, in “resurrection” depictions, such as the Corn God being resurrected with the help of the head band twins. (Susan Milbrath, Star Gods of The Maya, Astronomy In Art, Folklore & Calendars, (Texas Un. Press, 1999), 100-1, fig.3.11), Late Classical Vessel, Corn God Resurrected by Head Band Twins, Mayan art work). http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oAjpSCHvrRE/S4yvNjRVnOI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/WkxLgeHbJnM/S570/Mayan+head+ban+twins+resurrection+clasp.jpg

An interesting Mayan work on a bowl shows another ascension out of the underworld, a hand extends down with a wound(?), or dot (death spot on the hand?), it grasps the right hand of the one ascending. (974 bowl Veracruz during the Classic Period 300-900 AD, wounded hand clasp?)
http://www.famsi.org/research/kerr/articles/hero_twins/index.html

In the Book of Mormon, 3rd Nephi 8:5, during the first few days of a new year, the 34th year, the 4th day, a great storm (volcano?) arose, the earth shakes, a vapor of darkness blocks out even the sun light. 1 Month, year 34, 4th day, or 1-4-34. Three days later, 1-7-34, the people hear the voice of God calling out to them to repent, etc. (3rd Nephi 8:23; 9). About a year later, towards the end of the 34th year, Christ appears to people at the temple, which was in the land Bountiful, & invites them to come forth & feel his wounds, (3rd Ne.10:18, 11:1-17). What is interesting to me is the traditions that Mayans & other native Americans have about a bright wounded wandering God, who appeared & promised to one day return. In the Mayan calendar system, 7 manik matches up with day 7 of a new year. Manik is a hand symbol that looks like it is grasping. Note again, that it’s for DAY 7!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MAYA-g-log-cal-D07-Manik.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar

It looks like the hand is wounded or is cut off. 7 in Mayan count, rolls around on the wheels to line up with a line or bar with 2 dots, for #7. Note, grasping hand, day 7, of a new year. This is when the resurrected Christ was starting his world wide visits all around the world. He kept appearing to different people for some time, after his resurrection. Then, towards the end of the 34th year, it was the people at the temple in the land of Bountiful’s turn:

“Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands & feet,…” says the resurrected Christ to the ancient Americans, (3rd Ne. 11:14). I believe there must be a connection with all these art works that testify of the memory of Christ as not only the wounded Son of God of the Old World, but also the wounded Son of God of the New!

Could I make a suggestion for your already amazing site/blog? Hope this is okay to suggest, but a Lightbox or Shadowbox plugin would help readability a lot. Every time I clicked one of your great images to see it bigger, I had to click back, then scroll down to find my place again. A lightbox or shadowbox plugin will automatically load the image over the page, and you don’t have to do anything more than link the thumbnail to the larger image. You know I appreciate this site, this is just something I noticed in particular on this post because of the great pictures.

http://ldslaw.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/coc-independence-temple.jpg

I thought you’d be the best person to ask.

Thanks!