Leaving Bountiful

Technique & Style

Figurative, Painting

Figures

Nephi's wife

Symbols

hand, tree

Notes

Artist statement: "This painting is a part of a series of works that are central to my desire to give a voice to the women in the Book of Mormon, whose stories go largely forgotten and untold. The image represents the wife of Nephi, who, having finally found an oasis of milk and honey after years in the wilderness, learns that she must again move her young family and leave the comforts of Bountiful to enter the treacherous ocean, the great unknown. Though not much is known about her, she was likely a faithful woman who supported her husband as he fulfilled his prophetic calling and had deep faith in God. The painting depicts her praying to the Lord to receive her own witness of the veracity of Nephi’s claim that their family must “cross the large waters into the promised land”. As she looks to the heavens, light trickles through the branches and onto her face. The shadows are now behind her as she faces the sun. The light is symbolic of God’s presence. As she turns to the light, she turns to God. As she turns to God, her fears are replaced with faith. There comes a time in all of our lives when the Lord may ask us to leave our own “Bountiful” or places of familiarity, safety, and comfort, whether those places be temporal or spiritual. When we are asked to step into the unknown, we might be filled with fear or doubt. In those times, we can look to the Lord for strength. I know there have been many times in my life where I have pleaded for God’s perfect love to banish my own doubts and fears. I like to think that I am one of many women around the world and throughout time who have sought God and found the courage to continue forward."

Commissioned Status

Submitted to the 2024 BYU Book of Mormon Art Contest.

Awards

Third Place in the 2024 BYU Book of Mormon Art Contest

Exhibition History:

• Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, UT, fall 2024.

Church Name

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints