“The Book of Mormon: A Worldwide View,” Ensign, Aug. 2000, 37
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon:
A Worldwide View
The shared faith of Latter-day Saints worldwide is reflected in art on Book of Mormon topics in the Church’s Fifth International Art Competition.
Lehi’s vision of the tree of life, Helaman with his 2,000 stripling warriors, and Moroni’s travels in the wilderness are among the topics represented in the more than 400 works of art from 38 countries submitted to the Fifth International Art Competition sponsored by the Museum of Church History and Art. Latter-day Saint artists varying in age from 15 to 98 entered works focusing on the theme of Book of Mormon history and messages. Jurors selected 135 works, which are on display in the museum until 4 September 2000.
The following pages, including this issue’s covers—both outside and inside—show artwork submitted to the competition.
Christ’s Prayer, by Derek Hegsted, Orem, Utah. As the resurrected Christ ministered to the Nephites, He “knelt upon the earth. … And after this manner do they bear record: … neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father” (3 Ne. 17:15–17).
It’s True, Sir, All Present and Accounted For, by Clark Kelley Price, Thayne, Wyoming. “According to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, … there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds” (Alma 57:25). Here, the artist shows these young warriors fatigued and wounded, yet standing faithfully in their ranks.
For the Blessings of Liberty, by Scott Snow, Salt Lake City, Utah. “And [Captain Moroni] fastened on his headplate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren” (Alma 46:13).
“Whither I Go,” by Keith Bond, San Antonio, Texas. After witnessing the destruction of his people, Moroni, son of Mormon, walked alone, unwilling to deny the Christ. He had the faith and strength to fulfill what was required of him. Though we may not be required to walk the path of Moroni, we may be required to walk through our own wilderness of trials and sorrow.
Helpmeet, by K. Sean Sullivan, St. Cloud, Florida. Known to us only as a daughter of Ishmael and the wife of Nephi, this woman of courage and compassion is the focus of this painting. Here she seeks to comfort Nephi, who was lashed to the ship’s mast by some of his brothers. A storm raged. “My wife with her tears and prayers, and also my children, did not soften the hearts of my brethren. … And there was nothing save it were the power of God, which threatened them with destruction, could soften their hearts … insomuch that they loosed me” (1 Ne. 18:19–20).
The Acceptance of Light among the Children of Men, by Deanna Sanderson, Santa Clara, California. As the light of the sun is the root of life on earth, so also is the Light of Christ the root of our eternal lives, says the artist. By reading about the pride of the Nephites and Lamanites, we also see how the natural man struggles to be in the Light of Christ but often falls back into darkness.
Sweeter Than All Sweetness (Purchase Award), by Miguel Angel González Romero, Antofagasta, Chile. Lehi said of his vision: “And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted” (1 Ne. 8:10–11).
Women of Exceeding Faith: The Queen and Abish, by Ann Croft, Meridian, Idaho. Of the wife of King Lamoni, Ammon said: “Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites” (Alma 19:10). Abish, the queen’s servant and a believer in Christ, is at the queen’s side during this long night, which eventually led to the conversion of King Lamoni, the queen, and others.
“Arise and Stand Forth,” by James H. Fullmer, Springfield, Oregon. “The angel of the Lord appeared unto [Alma the Younger and the four sons of Mosiah]; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder” (Mosiah 27:11). The artist explains that in his work this angel of light causes a shadow to be cast behind each of the fallen young men to tell us that they will soon walk out of the darkness into the light.
A Blessing to the Nations, by Isa Tania Dominguez Herrada, Xochimilco, D.F., Mexico. “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. … The blessings of thy father … shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren” (Gen. 49:22, 26). The Nephites and Lamanites, as descendants of Joseph, are beneficiaries of the blessings sealed upon the head of Joseph.