A delicate, round teapot paired with four small cups. A bold linocut illustrating the relationship between two prophets. A portrait of Sariah and her four sons, carefully assembled with strands of yarn. These are just a few of the unexpected and striking works submitted to the 2025 Book of Mormon Art Contest, an annual celebration of scripture and student creativity at Brigham Young University.
The call for artwork was issued in February 2025, inviting BYU students to create original pieces of Book of Mormon art that highlighted underrepresented figures, used unique stylistic and technical approaches, and centered on families. Four months later, on June 24, the winners of the contest were announced.
Three Years of Engaging with Scripture
Now in its third year, the Book of Mormon Art Contest began in 2023 as a collaboration between the BYU Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship and the Book of Mormon Art Catalog.
Together, these organizations aim to help students grow their faith in Jesus Christ and connect to scripture in a new way.
Jenny Champoux, founder and director of Book of Mormon Art Catalog, has served as a judge each year. “It is wonderful to see how students at BYU are engaging deeply with the Book of Mormon,” she said.
“Visual art can be a powerful way to explore the scriptures and to express belief. Looking at the contest submissions, it is clear to me that the artists spent time wrestling with the scriptures and applying them. My own faith and understanding are strengthened as I consider these visual testimonies.”
Unique Mediums
Over the past three years, hundreds of BYU students have showcased their creativity through a wide range of unique mediums– past submissions have included clay sculptures, oil paintings, origami, mosaics, photography, and stained glass.
Each entry is inspired by a specific scripture passage, which students are asked to include in their submission. Some draw from entire chapters, while others focus on smaller, lesser-known verses. Regardless of scope, each adds a new visual insight to the Book of Mormon.
Creating art based on scripture requires a close reading of the text. Students must consider its meaning and symbolism, and then translate those ideas into a work of art.
This process is similar to how scholars do close readings of scripture. Students must read the text carefully and integrate its themes and meaning into their artwork. Diverse perspectives are encouraged, mirroring the varied scriptural interpretations of religious scholars. Often, these perspectives come through the different mediums used.
Judging
A diverse panel of judges from the Maxwell Institute, the Book of Mormon Art Catalog, BYU’s Design Department, the Museum of Art, and various departments like Religious Education, History, and Humanities come together to evaluate all the entries.
“It is a great opportunity for art students on campus,” said David Habben, an associate professor of illustration and contest judge. “Most art students don’t often create religious art, so it gives them the chance to explore and practice in a unique context.”
For many of the judges, it is a fun way to engage with students and their inspiring artwork. Several judges, including Anthony Sweat and David Habben, are artists themselves, bringing a personal appreciation for the power of visual testimony.
Among the many creative works submitted this year, some stood out not only for their unique mediums but also for the powerful stories they shared. One piece is Sariah and Sons, which took first place in the contest.
Sariah and Sons
“And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted.” (1 Nephi 5:7-8)
This year, first place was awarded to Gianna Cummard for her piece titled Sariah and Sons, a striking mixed-media work created by carefully arranging and gluing yarn to canvas. Gianna is an Art major at BYU.
The piece portrays Sariah embracing her four sons as they return to the wilderness after retrieving the brass plates from Laban, as recorded in 1 Nephi 5.
In her artist statement, Gianna wrote, “I see Sariah as a loving and caring mother who would hug all her sons when they return to the wilderness.”
Sariah is the largest figure in the middle, in a terracotta colored smock. Her arms are around her sons, Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi, as they embrace her. The sons have no faces or distinguishing features, while Sariah’s eyes are softly closed in contentment.
Gianna said, “There are many individuals in the Book of Mormon that we tend to overlook. Imagining life through their perspectives always adds dimension, understanding, and inspiration. I chose Sariah because I’ve learned so much from her example of faith to her family.”
Remnant Triptych
“Behold I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.” (Mormon 8:1)
Second place was awarded to Amalie Staples for her linocut print of Mormon and Moroni. Amalie is a biology major at BYU.
The piece was created by carving a linoleum stamp, using a subtractive cutting method. This leaves raised areas on the block, which are then inked and printed onto paper.
Amalie said, “The Book of Mormon displays how Heavenly Father nurtures, teaches, and comforts His children. This artwork is both a reflection of His love for us and a pondering on the intimate moments that shaped the lives of two prophets.”
This piece illustrates Mormon and Moroni’s relationship with each other as father and son, showing different scenes from their lives.
The first panel shows Mormon caring for his newborn son, the future prophet Moroni. The middle panel is of Mormon teaching Moroni how to engrave, paralleling the engraved scriptures later created and preserved by these two men. The last panel shows the engraved plates in the foreground, and the two prophets sitting peacefully together.
While much art depicts Mormon or Moroni struggling as they face war and see their civilizations collapsing, this piece considers quiet moments of peace. A dove appears in each panel, connecting the three scenes.
One Eternal Round
“For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.” (1 Nephi 10:19)
Third place was awarded to Grant Jackson, a Mechanical Engineering major at BYU, who created “One Eternal Round”.
Rather than an illustrative representation of scripture, this wheel-thrown tea set is a functional reminder of the presence of God in our lives. The body of the teapot is rounded, visualizing the idea of one eternal round.
The circular ridges around each piece are reminiscent of the stacked gold plates, which eventually became the Book of Mormon.
Grant’s tea set draws inspiration from the Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu, which emphasizes silent reflection, respect for others, and aesthetic simplicity. He reimagines “the course of the Lord” as a round, fillable vessel, which can be poured out to nourish others.
Grant said, “This teapot was inspired by the phrase ‘the course of the Lord is one eternal round’…Its consistent use allows it to serve as a reminder of God, of his nature, and of him being our continual source of life and nourishment. We owe everything to our creator and his plan.”
The Future of the Contest and the Catalog
Looking ahead, the contest continues to grow and evolve. Tessa Hauglid, one of this year’s judges noted that each new iteration brings fresh artistic voices and ideas.
Jenny shared, “Each year, as we develop the call for art, we carefully consider how we might encourage art that fills in gaps in the available catalog of Book of Mormon art.”
The Book of Mormon Art Catalog is also expanding, and has now begun to include artwork inspired by Church History, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. With contributions from artists around the world, it is now the largest database of Latter-day Saint art globally.
“As the website continues to grow,” Jenny added, “I hope members will be inspired by the art they find—perhaps considering a familiar scripture in a different way, or feeling the Spirit witness of the truth of scripture through art, or wanting to study the scriptures more closely because of the art they see.”
Advice for Young Latter-day Saint Artists
For students at BYU, the Book of Mormon Art Contest provides a valuable starting point for young artists to creatively explore their faith. The Book of Mormon Art Catalog also serves as a valuable resource, allowing young Latter-day Saint artists to become familiar with the ways Restoration scripture and Church history have been portrayed visually throughout history.
“As you look through the catalog, think about what speaks to you. What are the scenes or approaches that appear frequently? How might you portray them? What are the scriptural figures or moments that have not been visualized?” Jenny said, “You don’t have to know all the answers. Drawing on your own experiences, paint your testimony.”
Young artists are encouraged to draw from their personal spiritual experiences and individual perspectives. Their unique viewpoints can add fresh depth to familiar stories and bring attention to often-overlooked moments in scripture. By reimagining the Book of Mormon through visual art, they not only deepen their faith but also contribute personal testimony to the Church’s growing visual tradition.
