The LDSPMA Praiseworthy Awards program recognizes excellence in published works and media produced by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We understand that it takes a number of devoted professionals to create a high-quality product. Awards are granted not only to the author/main producer, but also to the entire team involved in the publication or creation.
The winners and honorable mentions for each category were honored at the Praiseworthy Awards Gala on October 21.
Watch your email for an invitation in the spring of 2023 to nominate works for our 2023 Praiseworthy Awards contest. Not on our email list? Join here!
Jump to:
Praiseworthy Awards—Fiction Finalists
General Fiction
The Audacity of Sara Grayson
Winner
Author: Joani Elliott
Publisher: Post Hill Press
Managing Editor: Kate Monahan
Cover Design: Cody Corcoran & Mark Elliott
Production Editor: Rachel Hoge
Agent: Jennifer Weis
Production Assistant: Sarah French
The Slow March of Light
Honorable Mention
Author: Heather B. Moore
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Editor: Alison Palmer
Art Director: Richard Erickson
Typesetter: Breanna Anderl
Product Manager: Heidi Taylor Gordon
Product Director: Chris Schoebinger
Middle Grade / Young Adult
Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls
Winner
Author: Kaela Rivera
Publisher: HarperCollins
Editor: Stephanie Guerden
Cover designer: Catherine Lee
Falling through Stars
Honorable Mention
Author: Staci Olsen
Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing
Cover artist: Garrett Hamon
Editor: Sarah Chorn
Picture Book
Stopping by Woods
Winner
Publisher: Familius
Author: Robert Frost (1874–1963)
Illustrator: Vivian Mineker
Creative Director: Christopher Robbins
Proofreader: Brooke Jorden
Cover and Interior Designer: Carlos Guerrero
Day-Old Child
Honorable Mention
Author: Carol Lynn Pearson
Illustrator: Corey Egbert
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
Editor: Michelle Branson
Romance
A Proper Scoundrel
Winner
Author: Esther Hatch
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Editor: Ashley Gebert
Copyeditor: Carly Springer
Typesetter: Stacey Turner
Proofreaders: Joy Wouden and Rebecca Maxfield
Graphic Designer: Kimberly Kay
Sound Engineer: Blair Leishman
Narrator: Noah Wall
Publicist: Amy Parker
Song of Salzburg
Honorable Mention
Author: Jen Geigle Johnson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Editor: Ashley Gebert
Copyeditor: Jennifer Spell
Typesetter: Annie Petersen
Proofreaders: Sheri Bronson and Carly Springer
Cover Designer: Michelle Fryer
Narrator: Noah Wall
Sound Engineer: Blair Leishman
Publicist: Amy Parker
Science Fiction / Fantasy
The Not So Chosen One
Winner
Author: Tamara Grantham
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Editors: Rachel Hathcock, Kate Staker, and Kimiko Hammari
Typesetters: Kate Staker and Kimiko Hammari
Cover Designer: Shawnda T. Craig
Cover Illustrator: Diego Alcala
Nora and the Sacred Stones
Honorable Mention
Author: Laura Rupper
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Editors: Annie Petersen, Aubrey Parry, and Wendy Law
Illustrator: Jessica Parker
Typesetter: Annie Petersen
Sound Engineer: Blair Leishman
Narrator: Luone Ingram
Publicists: Amy Parker and Jessica Bybee
Short Story / Anthology
Meet Me Under The Kissing Bough
Winner
Authors: Josi S. Kilpack, Anneka R. Walker, & Sarah L. McConkie
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Editor and Typesetter: Kami Hancock
Copyeditor: Aimee Robbins
Proofreaders: Julie Newman and Ashlin Awerkamp
Graphic Designer: Hannah Bischoff
Sound Engineer: Blair Leishman
Narrator: Luone Ingram
Publicist: Amy Parker
The Best-Laid Plans
Honorable Mention
Author: Sarah M. Eden
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Editor: Samantha Millburn
Copyeditor: Mary Birdsall
Typesetter: Stacey Turner
Proofreaders: Rebecca Tuft and Laura Combrink
Graphic Designer: Michelle Fryer
Sound Engineer: Blair Leishman
Narrator: Luone Ingram
Publicist: Amy Parker
Suspense/Mystery
The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet
Winner
Author: Katherine Cowley
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Editor: Sinclair Sawhney
Copyeditor: Beth Hicks
Cover Designer: Patrick Knowles
Proofreader: Marlene Engel
Heirs of Falcon Point
Honorable Mention
Authors: Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, & A. L. Sowards
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Editor: Samantha Millburn
Copyeditor: Rebecca Tuft
Typesetter: Stacey Turner
Proofreaders: Suzanne Uchytil and Mary Birdsall
Graphic Designer: Natalie Brown
Sound Engineer: Blair Leishman
Narrator: Jason Tatom
Publicist: Amy Parker
Praiseworthy Awards—Nonfiction Finalists
Short Form (Blogs, Essays, Articles)
“One step at a time”: What 1 woman’s escape from the 99th floor of the South Tower on 9/11 can teach the next generation
Honorable Mention | Read the article
Author: Emily Abel
Publisher: LDS Living
Editor: Erin Hallstrom
History/Biography
First: The Life and Faith of Emma Smith
Winner
Author: Jennifer Reeder
Publisher: Deseret Book
Editor: Tracy Keck
Designer: Shauna Gibby
Typesetter: Breanna Anderl
Product Director: Celia Barnes
Product Manager: Kristen Evans
In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks
Honorable Mention
Author: Richard E. Turley Jr.
Publisher: Deseret Book
Editor: Emily Watts
Designers: Richard Erickson & Sheryl Dickert Smith
Typesetter: Rachael Ward
Product Director: Lisa Roper
Product Manager: Kristen Evans
Scripture Study Resource
And These Words: A Scripture Study Journal
Winner
Author: Emily Belle Freeman
Publisher: Deseret Book
Editor: Emily Watts
Designers: Richard Erickson & Brooke Williams
Typesetter: Rachael Ward
Product Director: Lisa Roper
Product Manager: Kristen Evans
The Old Testament Made Easier
Honorable Mention
Author: David J. Ridges
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Cover Designer: Shawnda T. Craig
Editor & Typesetter: Heather Holm
Lifestyle
Farmhouse Weekends: Menus for Relaxing Country Meals All Year Long
Winner
Author: Melissa Bahen
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
Editor: Michelle Branson
Illustrator: Celeste Rockwood-Jones
Designer: Michelle Farinella
¡Buen Provecho! Traditional Mexican Flavors from My Cocina to Yours
Honorable Mention
Author: Ericka Sanchez
Publisher: Familius
Editor: Ashlin Awerkamp
Proofreader: Spencer Skeen
Cover Designer: Carlos Guerrero
Interior Designer: Brooke Jorden
Typesetter: Mara Harris
Memoir
Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops
Winner
Author, Editor, & Copyeditor: Allison Hong Merrill
Publisher: She Writes Press
Cover Designer: Tabitha Lahr
Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree: Reflections on What God Sees in Us
Honorable Mention
Author: Edward Dube
Publisher: Deseret Book
Editor: Alison Palmer
Designer: Heather Ward
Typesetter: Rachael Ward
Product Director: Lisa Roper
Product Manager: Kristen Evans
Picture Book
Dear Divine Daughter: Inspiring Stories of Bible Women
Winner
Authors: Amber Corkin & Aubri Robinson
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Interior and Cover Layout: Shawnda T. Craig
Editor: Heather Holm
Cover Art: Heather Ruttan
Interior Art: Brooke Bowen, Brooklynne Noe, Ellie Osborne, Emily Shay Tueller, Heather Ruttan, Justine Peterson, Samantha Long, and Sarah Hawkes
The Side-by-Side Declaration of Independence
Honorable Mention
Author, Editor, and Illustrator: David Miles
Publisher: Bushel & Peck Books
Religious Topic
Let’s Talk About Polygamy
Winner
Author: Brittany Chapman Nash
Publisher: Deseret Book
Editor: Alison Palmer
Designers: Richard Erickson & Emily Remington
Typesetter: Rachael Ward
Product Director: Lisa Roper
Product Manager: Kristen Evans
When You Let God Prevail, His Promises Are Sure
Honorable Mention
Author: Ganel-Lyn Condie
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Editor: Samantha Millburn
Copyeditor: Aimee Robbins
Typesetter: Stacey Turner
Proofreader: Suzanne Uchytil
Graphic Designer: Christina Marcano
Sound Engineer: Blair Leishman
Publicist: Amy Parker
Resource / Self-Help
A Walk in My Shoes: Questions I’m Often Asked as a Gay Latter-day Saint
Winner
Author: Ben Schilaty
Publisher: Deseret Book
Product Director: Celia Barnes
Product Manager: Kristen Evans
Editor: Tracy Keck
Designer: Heather Ward
Typesetter: Breanna Anderl
The Freelance Editor’s Handbook: A Complete Guide to Making Your Business Thrive
Honorable Mention
Author: Suzy Bills
Publisher: University of California Press
Consultant: Aaron Ostler
Praiseworthy Awards—Multimedia Finalists
Audio Recording
The Spirit of Revelation (Audiobook)
Winner
Author: David A. Bednar
Narrators: David A. Bednar & Susan Bednar
Publisher: Deseret Book
Editor: Derk Koldewyn
Designers: Emily Remington & Richard Erickson
Typesetter: Rachael Ward
Product Manager: Kristen Evans
Recorded by Trent Walker
Producers: Lisa Roper and Trent Walker
Post-Production and Editing: Kenny Hodges
Executive Producer: Lisa Roper
Come Follow Me: Real Talk – Steven C. Harper (Podcast Episode)
Honorable Mention | Listen to the episode
Guest: Steven Harper
Hosts: Ganel-Lyn Condie and Scott Sorensen
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Executive Producer: Amy Parker
Photographer & Social Media Manager: Lauryn Parker
Editor: Karri Sweeten
Camera & Post Production: Dan Lichtenstein
Producer: Ron Brough
Production Support: Phil Reschke
Audio Engineer: Blair Leishman
Short-Form Video
Witnesses: Official Trailer
Winner | Watch video
Director and Editor: Mark Goodman
Producer: Russell Richins
Executive Producers: Daniel and Deborah Peterson
Distribution: Purdie Distribution
Created by Redbrick Filmworks & The Interpreter Foundation
Elder Edward Dube: Stepping Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree
Honorable Mention | Watch video
Director and Editor: Dennis Agle
Narrator: Elder Edward Dube
Videographer: Abraham Robledo
Illustrator: Joseph Banda of Malawi
Music Video: Religious Cover/Arrangement
Amazing Grace
Winner | Watch music video
Vocalists: Mat Shah, Savanna Shah, Mark Vaki, Aitana Alapa, and others
Arranger: Stephen Nelson
Video Director: Chase Walker
Videographer: Rod Santiano
Hair and Makeup: Eliza Tingey and Lindsey McSwain
Text: John Newton (1725–1807)
Melody: E. O. Excell (1851–1921)
This Is My Wish
Honorable Mention | Watch music video
Vocalists: Rise Up Children’s Choir & BYU Vocal Point
Arranger: Scott Shattuck
Producers: Amy Oakeson & McKay Crockett
Director: Amy Oakeson
Director of Photography: Josh Sales
2nd Camera Operator: Brayden Fielding
Production Assistant: Courtney Sales
Wardrobe Stylist: Elizabeth Evans
Hair and Makeup: Jenny Reynolds
Set Design: Amy Oakeson and Elizabeth Evans
Set Decorators and Lighting Design: Various
Mixing and Mastering by Scott Shattuck
Drums: Alex Brown
Artistic Director: McKay Crockett
Executive Producer: Ben Fales
Vocal Point Stage Manager: Britt Gray
Produced by Rise Up Productions, LLC, and BYU Vocal Point
Original song written by Tim Lauer & Angela Peters Lauer
Music Video: Secular Cover/Arrangement
Born to Be Brave
Winner | Watch music video
Arranger and Producer: Scott Shattuck
Producers: Suzy Oliveira and Amy Oakeson
Director: Suzy Oliveira
Cinematography and Editing: Josh Sales
Choreography and Blocking: Alex Stringham
Gaffer: Kevin Woodward
Wardrobe: Elizabeth Evans
Makeup: Jenny Reynolds
Featuring the Rise Up Children’s Choir
Produced by Rise Up Productions, LLC
Original song composed by Tova Litvin and Doug Rockwell
Tiny Voice
Honorable Mention | Watch music video
Vocalist: Audrey Edwards
Composer: Lexi Walker
Arranger and Producer: Scott Shattuck Media
Video Production: Josh Sales Films
Note: “Waving Through a Window” was originally listed as a finalist work in this category but was removed because it was produced by the same group as “Born to Be Brave.”
Music Video: Childrens/Youth Religious Original
Living Water
Winner | Watch music video
Composers: Hinge Point sisters
Music by Hinge Point and Daniel Blomberg
Producers: Daniel Blomberg and Dave Zimmerman
Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Dave Zimmerman
Drums: Dave Zimmerman
Guitar: Mike Fjerstad
Keyboard: Daniel Blomberg
Video: Josh Sales Films
The Priesthood of God
Honorable Mention | Watch music video
Words and Music: Alaina Larsen & Cris Conerty
Piano Arrangement: Cris Conerty
Orchestral Arrangement: Daniel Blomberg
Sound Engineering: Dave Zimmerman
Vocals: Audrey Edwards, Alex Elggren, Eli Reynolds, Ella Brammer, Oliva Marshall, Miles Jeppson, Blake Walker, Savannah Lawrence, Mari Sakaguchi, Rachel Hellewell, Jace Kerns, and Christian Larsen
Video Producer/Director/Editor: Alaina Larsen
Cinematographer: Nick Sales
Music Video: Holiday Religious Original
Come, Oh Ye Christians
Winner | Watch music video
Words & Music: Alaina Larsen & Cris Conerty
Orchestration, Mixing & Mastering: Jarom Hansen
Vocal Recording Sound Engineering: Parker Robinson
Vocal Soloists: Sara Warr, Keili Palepoi, Abraham Thomas, and Jordan Hale
Other Vocalists: Allie Gardner Pollicky, David Allen, Kirsten Quist, and Bryan Woods
Video Producer/Editor: Alaina Larsen
Cinematographer (vocalists, nativities): Josh Sales
When We Seek Him
Honorable Mention | Watch music video
Composers and Producers: Shawna Edwards and Angie Killian
Vocalists: Janey Killian, Alex Elggren, Sierra Johnson, Nat Paxman, & Audrey Edwards
Choir: Friends and family of Angie Killian
Arranger: Daniel Blomberg
Videography: Josh Sales Films
Music Video: Adult Religious Original
Before the Calm
Winner | Watch music video
Performed by the Truman Brothers
Written by Ben Truman
Produced by Nate Pyfer
Mixed and mastered by Scott Wiley
Director: Cameron Gade
DP: Sidney Unga
Producer: Cameron Gade
AC: Chris Chrisenbery
Steadicam OP: John Williams
Gaffer: Trent Davis
Key Grip: Ambyr Bambyr
Swings: Kato Wong & Josh Koerpel
PAs: Matthew Pederson, Max Wenham, Grant Taylor, & Sam Skelton
Edit: Cameron Gade
Color: Tyler Roth @ Company 3
More Hope
Honorable Mention | Watch music video
Composer and performer: Abby Elwood
Videographer: Josh Sales
Production and mixing: Gavin McMahan
Mastering: Mitch Davis