Highlights from the Fifth International Art Competition: The Book of Mormon: Its History and Message exhibition held in 2000.

The image of the Prophet Joseph Smith near the tuner knob represents his being chosen of God as the Prophet to restore the gospel in this dispensation. Later prophets’ names are engraved on frets, representing continuing revelation. President Hinckley’s image near the sound opening represents God’s living voice. God’s hand holds the string revealing His word in the Book of Mormon. Without the bridge this guitar is useless.

Philippines 
1998 
Wood, metal construction 
Church History Museum Collection

Antonio Malate Lovendino (1945– )

The Chosen Instrument

“They had all fallen to the earth, save it were one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish, she having been converted unto the Lord. . . . When she saw that all the servants of Lamoni had fallen to the earth, and also her mistress, the queen, and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she knew that it was the power of God” (Book of Mormon, Alma 19).

United States 
1999 
Colored pencil on paper 
22 × 29 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Sheri Lynn Boyer Doty (1949–2025)

Because of Thy Exceeding Faith

Cheng graduated with an art degree from the National Taiwan University. The scripture “And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work” (D&amp;C 4:5), inspired the artist. Here, the artist wrote, “an old man is searching the scriptures eagerly: with one mind to study the scrolling scriptures written in Chinese calligraphy.”

Taiwan 
1999 
Ink on paper 
26.25 × 27.5 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Chin Tai Cheng  (1948– )

With an Eye Single to the Glory of God

This is one of several recent and powerful paintings on subjects from the Book of Mormon created by Walter Rane that are now in the Church collection. This title taken from Mosiah 27:13, portrays a story of the confused lives of men preaching against the Church and doing evil. However, as these men come face to face with truth, the scene transforms from chaos to order and peace.

United States 
1999 
Oil on panel 
56.5 × 40 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Walter Rane (1949– )

Alma Arise

The artist said “Lehi, his wife Sariah representing all faithful strong women of this sacred record, and Nephi, Enos, King Benjamin, Abinadi, Alma the younger, Ammon, Helaman, Samuel the Lamanite, Mormon, Moroni and the Brother of Jared are here in a circle representing eternal truths preserved on golden plates and brought forth for our day, through Joseph Smith.”

United States 
1999 
Painted clay 
14 × 22 × 22 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Carolyn Stromberg (1933– )

Book of Mormon Stories

This excellent large sculpture was a visitors’ favorite from the competition. It is now located on the Terrace Level of the Conference Center. The theme of the Tree of Life is a major extended story first found in the 1st book of Nephi in the Book of Mormon. It has frequently inspired artists from many countries around the world.

United States 
1999 
Cast bronze 
48 × 48 × 58 in. 
Church History Museum Collection

Gary Lee Price (1955– )

Sharing the Fruit of the Tree of Life

Jodi Warner wrote, “When Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, patchwork quilt traditions were already rich with biblical allusions intended to teach and remind. Echoing that, the themes in this quilt present twenty–four of the countless lessons from the pages of "Another Testimony of Christ." In the center, Lehi's symbolic "Tree of Life" stands bountiful.”