• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

LDSPMA

Empowering Latter-day Saints to spread light and truth by connecting them at the intersection of faith, creativity, and professional skill

  • Conference
    • 2025 Conference
      • Register
      • Sessions
      • Workshops
      • Awards Gala
      • LDSPMA’s Got (Secret) Talent!
    • FAQs
    • Volunteer
    • Past Conferences
      • 2024 Conference
        • Sessions
        • Workshops
        • ZIFF Networking Dinner
        • Schedule
      • 2023 Conference
        • Sessions
        • Workshops
        • Schedule
        • Sponsors & Vendors
      • 2022 Conference
        • Sessions
        • Workshops
        • Schedule and Maps
        • Photo Gallery
      • 2021 Conference
        • Sessions
        • Workshops
        • Schedule and Maps
      • 2020 Conference
        • Sessions
        • Workshops
        • Schedule
      • 2019 Conference
      • 2018 Conference
      • 2017 Conference
      • 2016 Conference
  • Membership
    • Email Sign Up (Free)
    • Monthly Zoom Discussions (Free)
    • Mentoring Program
    • LDSPMA Next Gen (Youth)
    • University Chapters
    • Facebook Group
  • Podcast
    • Watch
    • Listen
      • Listen on Apple Podcasts
      • Listen on Spotify
      • Listen on Buzzsprout
    • Submit a Creator Highlight
    • Called to Create Conversations
  • Articles
    • All Articles
    • Faith & Mindset
      • Gospel Principles
      • Creativity
      • Productivity
    • Craft Skills
      • Writing
      • Media, Film & Theater
      • Podcasting & Speaking
      • Music
      • Fine Art
    • Professional Skills
      • Editing
      • Publishing
      • Business
      • Cultural Diversity
      • Marketing
  • Awards
    • 2025 Awards Gala
    • Praiseworthy Awards
      • 2024 Winners
      • 2023 Winners
      • 2022 Winners
      • 2021 Winners
      • 2020 Winners
      • 2019 Winners
      • 2018 Winners
      • 2017 Winners
      • 2016 Winners
    • Spark Awards
      • 2024 Winners
      • 2023 Winners
      • 2022 Winners
      • 2021 Winners
      • 2020 Winners
    • Lifetime Achievement Awards
    • Apply to Be an Awards Judge
  • About
    • Mission
      • LDSPMA in the Media
      • Success Stories
      • Viewpoint on LDSPMA
    • Volunteers
      • Volunteer Year-Round
      • Volunteer at the Conference
      • Apply to Be a Presenter
      • Apply to Be an Awards Judge
      • Resources for Current Volunteers
    • Leadership
    • Policies
      • Nurturing a Caring Community
      • Political Neutrality Policy
      • Antiharassment Policy
      • Harassment Reporting Form
      • Children Policy
    • Contact US
  • Support LDSPMA
    • Donate
    • Volunteer

2023 Spark Award Winners

The LDSPMA Spark Award recognizes aspiring, unknown creators who have the potential to become outstanding contributors to their field. We encourage you to support these creators by following them on social media, visiting their websites, and looking into their projects.

Funds raised by the LDSPMA Awards Gala contribute not only to the programs LDSPMA utilizes to uplift and inspire creators everywhere but also to provide scholarships to these promising individuals in order in order to further them in their careers. Your contribution means the world to these creators who dream of working full time in their artistic pursuits.

The Spark Award winners will be honored at the 2023 LDSPMA Awards Gala on Friday, October 20th at the UVU Sorenson Center Ballroom and Ragan Theater.

Learn more about the gala

Publishing Winners

Historical Fiction

Raising Banner

Author: Julie Johnson Oliver

Website: www.JulieOliverStudio.com

Instagram: @julieo_boomertweener
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/juliejoliver
Facebook: www.facebook.com/julie.oliver.7334

Science Fiction/Fantasy

A Sundering

Author: Larsen Blake

Facebook: www.facebook.com/larsen.blake.7

Short Story/Anthology/Novella

Choosing Leviathan

Author: Josef Miyasato (penname Travis Deckard)

Website: www.josefmiyasato.org/

X: @NotWellInZion
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/josef-miyasato/
Wattpad: www.wattpad.com/user/TravisDeckard

Lifestyle

Stronger: The Daily Planner for the Most Amazing Moms on the Planet!

Author: Laura Lane
Interior Design: Megan Roberson
Design Editor: Ellen Oesterreich

Websites:
www.strongerplanner.com/
www.lauralane.ca/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lauradlane/
Facebook:
Laura Lane Inexplicably Inspired
Laura Lane Author Poet Artist
Instagram:
@hope.strength.courage
@ulukau_inexplicably_inspired
Tik Tok: @hope.strength.courage
X:
@2mothers1prayer
@LauraLaneLSC

Memoir

Sepulchre

Author: Cynthia W. Connell

Religious Topic/Scripture Study

Get Smart God’s Way: God’s View of Intelligence

Author: Sarah Lynne John

Website: www.sarahlynnejohn.com

X: @sarahlynnejohn
Instagram: @sarahlynnejohnauthor
Facebook: Author Sarah Lynne John

Resource/Self-Help

Ringless Not Worthless: Thriving as a Single LDS Woman

Author: Elisa Black
Editing and Design: Eschler Editing
Editing: Beverly Yellowhorse
11 women contributed their stories to the project

Website: www.ringlessnotworthless.com

Instagram: @ringlessnotworthless

Poetry

Woman

Author: Savannah Tanner

Instagram: @sav_tanner

Media Winners

Picture Book

A Letter to Daddy

Author: Deborah Paquette

Website: www.deborahpaquette.myportfolio.com

X (Twitter): @D_J_Paquette
Instagram: @d_j_paquette

Screenplay

“Hard Ride Home”

Author: Julie Johnson Oliver

Website: www.JulieOliverStudio.com

Instagram: @julieo_boomertweener
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/juliejoliver
Facebook: www.facebook.com/julie.oliver.7334

Music Video Cover/Arrangement

“Nearer Than I Can Imagine”

Arranger and Pianist: CJ Madsen
Vocalist: Cosette Jones
Cellist: Nathan Cox
Videographer: Josh Sales

CJ:
www.cjmadsenmusic.com

Cosette:
www.cosettejonesmusic.com
Instagram: @cosettejonesmusic
YouTube: @cosettejonesmusic

Nathan:
Instagram: @nathan.cox.cello
YouTube: @nathancoxcello

Arts Winners

Secular Music

“Face This Down”

Co-Writer, Co-Producer, Lead Vocals, Guitar: Daniel Kent Petersen
Co-Writer, Co-Producer, Harmony: David Kent Petersen
Co-Producer, Composer, Pianist: Timothy David Petersen
Cellist: Rebecca Gabbitas
Mix and Master: Cody Butler

Music: koji.to/ImDanHesDave

Instagram: @imdanhesdave
Facebook: @imdanhesdave
YouTube: @imdanhesdave
TikTok: @imdanhesdave

Religious Music

“These Tears Will Never Stain”

Vocals: Dorshan Millhouse
Producer: Nathan Wallace

Website: www.dorshan.com

Instagram: @d0rshan
Tik Tok: @dorshan
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dorshan/

2D Art

“Pink Flamingo”

Artist: Jenna Wilson

Website: www.jennakaywilson.com

Instagram: @jennakayart
Tik Tok: @jennakaywilson

Learn more about the Spark Awards

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 LDSPMA. All Rights Reserved. LDSPMA is not endorsed by nor affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.