Articles

God Prepares a Way: 5 Lessons from a BYU Student’s Opera about 1 Nephi

February 7, 2023 By Jeremy Madsen 1 Comment

*CJ Madsen leads the orchestra in the premiere performance of* He Shall Prepare a Way

He Shall Prepare a Way, an opera premiered in Provo in 2022, dramatizes the story of Lehi’s family procuring the Brass Plates and departing into the wilderness. All three performances of the new opera were met with at-capacity crowds and standing ovations.

On paper, however, the opera should not have happened at all.

The show was hosted not in a top-notch performance venue, but on a tiny stage in a church cultural hall. The funds came not from ticket sales nor grant money, but from dozens of personal donations. And the composer should not even have had the time to write it.

The story of the making of He Shall Prepare a Way teaches us 5 powerful lessons about launching creative projects in the Lord’s way.

Lesson 1: Go and do what the Lord commands—even when it seems “a hard thing”

*Lehi and Sariah ponder the tender mercies of the Lord as they process the implications of Lehi’s prophetic call*

In early 2018, CJ Madsen, a music major at BYU, was in the thick of orchestrating and directing rehearsals for a work based on 3 Nephi named One Fold, One Shepherd. His wife had just had their second child. It was then that a BYU opera professor approached CJ and said, “You know what would be cool? If you wrote an opera about Nephi getting the Brass Plates.”

Audibly, CJ responded, “Oh, yeah, cool idea!”

Inwardly, he was thinking, “AAAAAAAA!!! Composing another massive musical work is the last thing I want to think about right now.”

But God had other plans.

The idea kept weighing on CJ’s mind. A couple months later, CJ saw the Church’s film Days of Harmony, about Joseph Smith and the translation of the Book of Mormon. CJ recalls, “As I saw Joseph muster the faith to put in the time and energy to translate the Book of Mormon—in the midst of farm work, a growing family, building a home, and opposition—the Spirit rocked my soul, and I knew I needed to do this opera.”

Lesson 2: If God tells you His timing, follow it

*Lehi rebukes Laman and Lemuel for their murmuring*

Over the next year, CJ intermittently wrote a third of the opera. Then in July 2019, he and his wife felt strongly impressed that he needed to finish the remaining 14 songs by the first day of school—in 4 weeks. Through many early-morning composing sessions, he did it.

With the score completed, CJ assembled a cast of 40 singers to perform a concert reading (singing only, without acting or props). Some numbers were only rehearsed once or twice before the performance, a remarkable feat considering the opera is packed with sudden key changes, non-Western scales, and 7/4 time signatures.

The cast performed to a full BYU recital hall in October 2019. The concert reading test-ran the opera and gathered invaluable feedback for refining the score and libretto.

Six months later, Covid-19 shut down every performance venue for 2020 and 2021. Had CJ ignored God’s timing and delayed the composition process, the pandemic would have set the opera back by several years.

Lesson 3: Harness the power of personal connections

*Nephi, dressed in Laban’s robes and carrying his sword, obtains the plates of brass*

By the summer of 2021, CJ had revised the opera and was ready to finally put on a fully staged production. To do so, he would need to assemble a cast of 26 highly skilled opera singers, 14 chorus members, and 26 orchestra players, in addition to a team of techies, ushers, seamstresses, and videographers. All would need to be experts in their role and willing to give dozens of hours of volunteer time.

CJ gathered his team purely on the power of personal connections.

“If you’ve done anything with music at BYU, then you know CJ,” a close friend explains. “In his eight years at BYU, he has accompanied, sung in, or directed every choir at BYU. He’s accompanied dozens of instrumental recitals and opera rehearsals. But more than that, he knows your name. He remembers who you are. And he’s always excited to see you, even if you were just somebody in that one class that one semester.”

When it came time to assemble the cast, CJ sent dozens of personal emails, inviting friends and connections to fill specific parts. His team included BYU students, alumni, friends, family, ward members, friends-of-friends, and even a couple strangers that he met on BYU campus and invited on the spot to join him.

Lesson 4: Share your vision and invite people to support you

*Nephi restrains Zoram outside the walls of Jerusalem*

As CJ and his wife, Samm, faced the daunting goal of producing a staged opera, they decided they needed to fundraise all the money needed before production started.

How would they raise the money? Rather than grants or an online Kickstarter campaign, CJ turned to his strength in piano performance. He planned a series of 20 piano concerts in the homes of friends and acquaintances, where he would take requests, play classical and pop favorites, share some of his opera, and ask for donations. The home concerts would serve the added purpose of raising awareness and excitement for the opera. And because each host would invite their circle of friends and neighbors to attend, CJ could reach people he never would have reached otherwise.

The home concert series faced initial setbacks, but word began to spread. Donations began to come in, and miracles continued. CJ recounts: “One woman, not even a member of the Church, asked to meet with Samm and me privately after a home concert. She explained she had received a large inheritance and wanted to give us $7,000 dollars.”

Between this and hundreds of other donations, CJ eventually fundraised over $30,000 for the opera.

Lesson 5: God will prepare miracles to overcome setbacks

*Laman threatens to slay Nephi in the wilderness, when one of the daughters of Ishmael intervenes*

“The title He Shall Prepare a Way is perfect for this opera,” CJ’s wife, Samm, reflects. “Whenever we would face an obstacle, we would just take a step back and say, ‘God will prepare a way.’ And He would.”

Below are just two of the many obstacles and corresponding miracles in the production process:

Orchestrating the opera: CJ’s only available time to orchestrate the 2-hour work was in the early mornings of fall 2021. But with three kids in their two-bedroom student apartment, a sleeping family member occupied almost every room in the apartment. “Most of my writing came at 4 am, in our bathroom,” CJ recalls. “Most of the time I never touched the piano as I orchestrated. I count it as another miracle that I was able to make any of that orchestration work without piano help.”
Finding a venue: “We scoured Utah Valley looking for ideal locations,” CJ recalls. Every place they contacted was either not available or too expensive. They started looking into church buildings but had trouble getting permission to take over a cultural hall for several weeks. “The thought came to do it at OUR meetinghouse. At first, we laughed. Our meetinghouse? It was half the size of normal church stages, there was hardly any lighting, and there wasn’t any backstage. How in the world could we do that? But the Spirit insisted.” Thanks to CJ’s (you guessed it!) personal connections with stake leadership, he procured the needed permission, and the building ended up meeting their needs in many unexpected ways.

After miracle after miracle, the opera premiered on April 7–9, 2022. Because all the expenses had been covered by fundraising, the opera was made available for free. Tickets for all three nights “sold” out, with dozens of people waiting in standby lines to get in.

After the opera each night, the projected subtitles displayed a three-word phrase: Soli Deo Gloria. This was an expression used by composers such as Bach and Handel to signify that a work was produced for the sake of praising God: “Glory to God Alone.”

Conclusion: God will prepare a way to do what He commands

*Lehi’s and Ishmael’s families celebrate the marriage of Lehi’s sons to Ishmael’s daughters*

During the writing, revision, orchestration, and production of He Shall Prepare a Way, CJ and Samm Madsen learned the same principle that Lehi and his family learned 2623 years ago:

The Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

When we are willing to do what the Lord commands—even when it is hard—and we are willing to do it in His timing, then He will give us the relationships, the support, and the miracles to overcome every setback to make it happen.

He will prepare a way!

*CJ and Samm give the glory to God at the conclusion of the opera. Samm, who stage directed the opera, gave birth to their fourth child three days after the opera concluded.*

The opera is available in the following formats:

Video recording of the staged performance on YouTube
Studio recording of the audio on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon Music.
Sheet music available from the composer at cjmadsenmusic.com/contact.

About the contributor

Jeremy Madsen is a fantasy writer, freelance editor, and biblical scholar. He is also CJ Madsen’s brother and had the privilege of playing “False Prophet #3” in the 2019 concert reading of He Shall Prepare a Way. With CJ and their two other siblings, he runs the website Atrium of Light, a repository for scripture memory songs and other uplifting media. Jeremy currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and two young kids. He is also the operations manager for LDSPMA.

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ Through Music

July 30, 2022 By Kami Pehrson 3 Comments

As part of a global church, LDS musicians worldwide can use their talents to create musical compositions which share the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ in powerful and inspiring ways. In his conference address “Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation,” President Russell M. Nelson said, “There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul.” Music is a beautiful way to bring souls closer to the Savior.

The Power of Lyrics

Lyrics can speak truth to our hearts and help strengthen our testimony of gospel principles. In response to song lyrics, faith in a particular message can be strengthened through the Spirit. DeNae Handy, a Latter-day Saint musician, speaker, and writer, asserts that, “Music forms belief.” Accordingly, as lyricists consider how to convey doctrine and principles in their work, Handy admonishes writers to “know if what they’re writing about really is doctrine, or if it’s belief, practice, or policy.” She also reminds us to be thoughtful and attentive when writing to be aware of attendant biases.

“The other way music informs belief,” according to Handy, “has to do with the music itself.” Musicians should consider how tempo and melody evoke emotions as they write songs that reinforce belief and strengthen faith. For example, the hymn “Praise to the Man” was initially set to the solemn, lamenting tune, “Star in the East.” This tune conveyed the Saints’ grief following the prophet Joseph Smith’s death. In contrast, when the words were later set to the tune, “Scotland the Brave,” singers experienced a feeling of “celebration,” according to Handy.

Singers and listeners alike desire to hear themselves and their culture expressed in lyrics and music.

Music Can Foster Inclusivity

Music can help us learn and understand scripture stories, prophetic teachings, and even the nature of God. Doctrine and Covenants 88:118 admonishes to “teach one another words of wisdom.” We love songs with simple lyrics and fun rhymes, but Handy says these songs sometimes lack “nutrition”—she compares them to a type of “comfort food.” Musicians need not be afraid of challenging their audiences, whether young or old. Music can serve as an essential teaching tool. As President Nelson reminded us, “The Lord loves effort.” Effort fosters learning. We can promote faith through music by inspiring listeners to “seek diligently” and “seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

The first great commandment declares that we should love God and our neighbors. We can demonstrate this love by considering the diversity of individuals from across many cultures and backgrounds. Singers and listeners alike desire to hear themselves and their culture expressed in lyrics and music.

Karli Piennette was raised in Magna, Utah, a city she describes as “rooted in the songs and history of the Mormon pioneers.” Later, Piennette sang professionally with her older sisters in the country music group SHeDAISY; but at age 17, she started her musical education at Lipscomb University, a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee. She took six credit hours of religious courses each semester where she grew to love a cappella gospel songs.

Piennette says she has “come to realize that [inclusivity and diversity] is an area in our church where we can grow and develop to connect more with our other brothers and sisters in Christ.” For example, when she began her musical education at Lipscomb, she recalls that the only hymn she recognized was “How Great Thou Art.” She points out that recognizable songs similar to those in mainstream Christianity “can help investigators have some familiarity and make them feel at home—like how I felt when I sang ‘How Great Thou Art’ in my university chapel.” When Piennette was later put in charge of her Young Women’s camp, she felt it was her mission to expose more members to the powerful message of love through Christian gospel songs. She visited all the wards in her Nashville stake to teach the youth different parts in the a cappella round, “The Greatest Commands.” The result, she recalls, “was beautiful!”

Celebrate Culture through Music

Jami Orlando, who also studied music at Lipscomb University, is a convert from the Baptist faith where she served as a worship music leader. Orlando expressed the sentiment that, “Music is the language of Heaven.” She goes on to say, “Our culture is so much a part of our social and emotional DNA, [that] if people really want to worship God in a way that is theirs and really have a personal relationship [with Him], we can’t ask them to take their culture out of it. Music is a language in and of itself. It’s not just notes on a page or sounds we hear.”

Just as the Spirit speaks to church members in different ways, so, too, can the Spirit speak to us through various types of music. “Music’s purpose is to communicate to our souls,” Orlando says. Latter-day Saint hymns were originally broken down in chorally-oriented ways, Jami explains; whereas African-American gospel music enjoys a heavier beat, because traditional African music uses drums instead of stringed instruments—“their African ancestors literally marched to the beat of a different drum.”

We must educate ourselves in and experience the cultures we wish to celebrate.

Respect Diverse Musical Traditions

How can Latter-day Saint creators thoughtfully incorporate diverse cultures and backgrounds in their compositions? First, we must show consideration and appreciation for the contributions of all types of music without misappropriating a culture’s social and historical background. Thoughtless application of cultural elements hurts those whose cultures are inaccurately portrayed in compositions and lyrics. To avoid causing hurt to our brothers and sisters in the church, we must educate ourselves in and experience the cultures we wish to celebrate.

We can pray for inspiration and understanding as we strive to build God’s kingdom through song. Jami Orlando implores, “Let’s research, let’s find out, let’s explore and taste other types of music.”

Lastly, we must encourage creators worldwide to contribute their musical talents to write and compose songs that represent their native cultures.

Music is a powerful way to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through articulating belief and inspiring learning and faith. Moreover, music allows Church members to worship in a manner that is customized to every individual. In writing and composing gospel music, let’s thoughtfully consider the needs of all God’s children. What better way to welcome brothers and sisters into our church than by acknowledging and celebrating them? We can invite musicians from diverse faiths and cultures to bring goodness and unite them with what we have to offer.

Religious Freedom: The Cornerstone of a Creative’s Work

July 8, 2022 By Shaun Stahle 1 Comment

When Elder Ronald A. Rasband called for Latter-day Saints to “champion the cause of religious freedom,” it hit me with a ton of bricks. His words are still ringing in my ears because his message from the April 2022 General Conference landed a direct upper cut to LDSPMA artists to understand the issue of religious liberty and then apply our unique talents and voices in defending this god-given precept.

Today’s War over Religious Freedom

Elder Rasband is close to the fire of this conflict and feels the heat of contentious groups who are not merely seeking balance or equality in the discussion of rights but demand complete eradication of anything religious that stands in their way of living hwoever they choose.

We see various forms of this classic battle for religious freedom every day in the news, such as the bully leader of one country imposing its might on a defenseless neighbor through violence and raw brutality.

Contentious groups…demand complete eradication of anything religious that stands in the way of living however they choose.

In Africa, we see the agony of millions who languish for want of food and security as their tyrannical leaders strip the once verdant farms of their resources for their gluttonous living.

We learn about the restriction of religious rights in high school classrooms where teachers use their authority to publicly humiliate and deride any student whose convictions vary from theirs.

Then there are those who are denied employment or career advancement because of Sabbath day worship. And there are many more stories we seldom hear about.

As I connect the dots of my life, I see that my passion for this issue began shortly after my mission in the mid-70s. The first incident was subtle, but on that day, lightening struck twice and left a mark.

My Discovery

I was going about my business in the production of my father’s newspaper when a news report on the radio quoted a particular politician in a European country who was red-in-the-face angry because the powerful economic engine of the U.S. was putting his country at a disadvantage. He demanded legislation to level the playing field.

I dismissed it. His comment didn’t deserve any further anxiety on my part.

A few minutes later, another news report described how the government of this same country was alarmed by possible threats from a growing minority population and was imposing religious restrictions to enforce their conformity to the country’s traditions.

On the surface these reports seem to have little in common. But with time and experience, I’ve come to see that religious freedom and a robust, safe society are two ends of the same stick. Mess with one, and you mess with the other.

The powerful economic engine this politician craved on the one hand was being suppressed by legislation that limited the rights of the people to innovate and create and aspire on the other.

Soon a new appreciation for the First Amendment developed as I studied journalism in college. Beyond learning about dangling participles and misplaced modifiers, I developed a reverence for the power and purpose of the right to speak and worship and assemble without governmental infringement.

This very right gives power to the economic engine, the exchange of ideas, and a deeper spectrum of understanding from which to draw meaning.

Religious Freedom and the Plan of Happiness

I believe the power of religious freedom is the bedrock upon which a robust and peaceful society is built. I believe it is absolutely foundational for the gospel plan of happiness to excel.

I see that religious freedom is essential to living life in a meaningful and productive way. Perhaps that’s why Elder Rasband’s call in a sacred setting to champion religious freedom resonates with me.

I suspect most LDSPMA artists have this same bedrock belief, but sometimes in life we are like the fish who have swam in warm waters for so long that they’ve forgotten what a blessing it is.

“Most of us drink from waters of religious freedom without even knowing it,” said Elder Patrick Keaton of the Seventy in the Conference on Religious Freedom in 2015. “We drink freely from the waters of religious freedom not aware of the contamination in the tributaries.

“We think of it as a river that will always flow but may not recognize the risks that exist in the tributaries that feed the river.”

In that address, Elder Keaton said that it might appear that rights just happen and are perpetuated without thought or effort on our part.

“We cannot forget the extraordinary resolve that went into protecting our abundance,” he said.

W. Cole Durham, a BYU law professor and proponent of religious freedom, once state that the challenge of preserving religious liberties is a “crisis of apathy, … of gradual erosion, … a crisis of lost moorings.”

Religious freedom and a robust, safe society are two ends of the same stick.

This drift is subtle. It proceeds in small steps, preventing public opinion from galvanizing. So gradual is the loss of religious freedoms, it’s as if a social anesthesia is gently lulling us to sleep, explained Professor Durham.

Our Duty as Latter-day Saints

While addressing this issue in a recent 2022 Church History Symposium, Elder Gerrit W. Gong taught that principles of religious freedom are part of the Restoration’s rich history and Latter-day Saints have a special duty to speak on behalf of religious liberty for all groups.

We may think that influencing society is the job of someone else who has more money or power. But who better to answer Elder Rasband’s call that us? He told us that we have the power and tools and skills for the task at hand. It is our turn as spiritual creators to do our part.

So, what’s an LDSPMA creative to do?

Counsel from Church leaders suggest:

Become educated on the issues and get involved in our communities.
Engage in amiable conversations with those with differing viewpoints.
Prayerfully create content that strengthens faith.
Realize your unique voice and share your perspective with passion and honest respect for others.

We have the needed gifts and tools

Perhaps more than any other industry, Latter-day media professionals are equipped with the gift and tools to educate the masses. Seen through this lens, our creative work takes on new relevance and meaning.

Faith-filled content is the antidote to preserving faith, family, and country from dissonant voices bent on destabilizing and destroying. According to Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Twelve, without religious freedom, other freedoms “wither and fade.”

Let us all keep his message ringing in our ears: “Religious liberty enables all to freely pursue truth and the meaning of life, and to live accordingly.”

Shaun Stahle

Shaun Stahle wanted to be an architect, but before he knew what was happening, he was graduating with a degree in journalism from BYU. Words and images have been his life ever since grabbing newspapers off his father’s little printing press at age five. Shaun’s lived a life rich in experience, writing for various weekly and daily newspapers, most notably the Church News section of the Deseret News for seventeen years, where he accompanied President Gordon B. Hinckley to visit members in the former Soviet Union. Now semi-retired, Shaun uses the power of words and images to heal and unite.

How LDSPMA Changed My Life—- and Can Change Yours

June 24, 2022 By Tyler Bryan Nelson 1 Comment

Some lucky people know what they want to do early in their lives. Their career paths are clear straight lines. Far more frequently, though, career paths wind and twist and turn and tumble. They’re bumpy; they have ruts and potholes. They split off into the trees without road signs or mile markers. Maybe that’s why they’re called career “paths” and not highways or boulevards.

A few years ago, I was on a particularly winding, rut-filled path myself. But in the world of creation, no matter whether you are on a straight path or a winding one, we all are going to need help at some point. We will need guidance, information, or encouragement.

I needed all of that. And that’s what LDSPMA gave — and still gives — to me.

Starting to find direction

When I returned from my mission to Russia in August of 2018, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had dabbled with health care and law in high school but found both unsatisfactory. I liked sports, I wasn’t interested in it as a career.

When I first got home, I believed what many missionaries do, that I could continue my mission by teaching seminary. That idea faded quickly, and I was left in limbo.

We all are going to need help at some point. We will need guidance, information, or encouragement.

While I drifted in uncertainty at Utah State University, I took a humanities class taught by former LDSPMA Education Director Joseph Batzel. In the class, we discussed various types of art and media, and learned to evaluate and think critically about their value.

Near the end of the semester, we had a large assignment. I wrote a parody of Sherlock Holmes where he works as a janitor at an elementary school. Watson is split into two separate teachers, Ms. Watson and Mrs. John. There is a little mystery about a tipped-over garbage can and hidden treasure. It’s a piece I’m still proud of today — although I probably would have forgotten about it if it weren’t for Professor Batzel’s reaction.

He wrote a thorough evaluation of my story, brought me in to talk about it, and sang a few of its praises to my classmates. I was embarrassed, but proud at the same time. I’d worked hard on that Sherlock Holmes story, and Professor Batzel recognized that. He knew it wasn’t going to win any awards, but he saw its potential and encouraged me.

Not long after that, he introduced me to another of his writer friends, who was another LDSPMA member. This friend was putting together an anthology of short stories. I submitted a story, and a few months later I had my first published work ever. And, my first milestone on my new path.

Meeting others on the path

I attended my first LDSPMA conference in 2019. I was nervous, and didn’t know what to expect. Beyond connecting and working with Professor Batzel and a few students in my creative writing classes, I had never really networked before. But on the first day that I walked into the conference, I felt welcomed.

We started in the Conference Center on the Brigham Young University campus. In the large crowd, I was waved down by Professor Batzel. He introduced me to a member of the Osmond family, Justin Osmond.

Five minutes later, I was listening to Elder John H. Groberg (as in John H. Groberg of The Other Side Of Heaven) give the keynote address on creating uplifting media. I checked the rest of the schedule. There would be presentations from Lisa Magnum and Chris Schlesinger from Shadow Mountain Publishing, T.C. Christiansen the filmmakers, Janice Kapp Perry the composer, and Jennifer Sterling, sister and assistant to Lindsay Sterling.

I listened to professionals and enthusiasts from all branches of publishing and media present their advice and passion purely for the benefit of others over the course of the weekend conference. In those few days, I learned about networking, marketing, managing writing schedules, how to find an agent and a publisher, and so much more. I went from feeling like writing could be a hobby…to something that I could actually make into a career.

The power, purpose, and spirit of LDSPMA

Since attending my first conference in 2019, I have attended other conferences and taken part in Zoom meetings with other LDSPMA members. Each interaction has uplifted and encouraged me.

I love writing for the LDSPMA blog from time to time. Working with the other writers and editors has made me a better writer. Every person not only wants to get better at what they do, but help others get better.

That’s the spirit of LDSPMA.

I went from feeling like writing could be a hobby…to something that I could actually make into a career.

LDSPMA’s purpose is to “empower Latter-day Saints to become voices of light and truth in publishing, media, and the arts.”

And I’ve found that to be true.

LDSPMA gave me a foundation to start a career in something I love. I write for LDSDaily.com, I have published my first book, and I run a podcast called Mission Report designed to instruct future missionaries on how they can better prepare for their missions.

I’m grateful for the resources and knowledge LDSPMA supplies me with. I look forward to attending more conferences, associating with the members of LDSPMA, and gaining more ability and understanding of how to uplift and inspire others.

From once feeling lost, I now love the path I’m on, and I look forward to what lies ahead down the road.

Tyler Brian Nelson

After serving a mission to Samara, Russia, Tyler graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Creative Writing. Tyler is the author of Away From The Sun, a short collection of his written works, is the host of the Mission Report podcast, and runs the To Be Determined… blog. He lives in Provo with his drop-dead gorgeous wife, enjoys playing basketball, playing the banjo, studying history, and collecting Pokemon cards.

Portrait of a Painter: The Journey of Latter-day Saint Artist Dan Wilson

May 12, 2022 By Howard Collett 8 Comments

Dan Wilson began drawing from the time he could pick up a pencil. “I doodled on everything,” he recounts. “My first sale was in 7^th grade to one of my teachers. She had me draw John Wayne. I couldn’t believe she gave me $20. But I battled being an artist. I studied chiropractic, fire science, and business, but I always felt a tug to go back to art.”

“Before graduation, Dan was all over the place,” said Heather, Dan’s wife of 13 years. “He couldn’t figure out what he wanted to do. I asked, ‘Why not art?’, but I never thought he would do it full time.”

Early Inspiration

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dan graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor degree in fine arts. “My greatest mentors were Perry Stuart, a UVU art professor, and William Whittaker, who mentored me after college. I was inspired by Danish artist Carl Bloch and French artist William Bouguereau.”

Dan is also inspired by his wife. “I wouldn’t be able to give it 100% if she wasn’t behind me,” he said. Dan first met Heather at Gold’s Gym. “I didn’t want to be that guy who gets her number at the gym,” he admitted, “then I ran into her at a dance two months later. The rest is history.” The couple has four boys and two girls ranging in age from two to eleven.

Lightbulb Moment

“I originally painted just to have a career. I did portrait art and wanted to get into galleries,” Dan said. “Then I painted my first image of Christ, and two families bought simple prints. One mother stopped me the next week at church, got emotional, and said, ‘You have no idea how much that image is uplifting us in our home.’ I thought, ‘That was really cool.’”

The next week at the exact same spot, another woman stopped Dan. “She also got emotional and said, ‘I gave my print to my sister who’s trying to keep her family together. You have no idea how much it means to them and how much it’s helping.’ She said almost the exact same words. The lightbulb went off and I knew—I’m supposed to be painting for a reason, and that is to uplift people in their homes with images of Christ.”

I’m supposed to be painting for a reason…

“When Dan was deciding what he wanted to paint, he was up and down,” said Heather. “When he realized he wanted to paint the Savior, everything just fell into place.”

Rigors of Aspiration

But it hasn’t always been easy. To support his art career, Heather cleaned houses and Dan managed a freight forwarding business for FEDEX. “My first year I made $7,000 from my art,” he said, “but Heather never second-guessed the whole thing.”

In 2014, Dan started painting full time. “It’s not a normal nine-to-five job,” said Heather. “There’s no paid time off. His schedule varies. At six pm he may be in the middle of something he can’t leave. Sometimes he paints until midnight. But he’s a hard worker and takes on the responsibility of providing for the family. He constantly studies the work of other artists.”

Inspiration is a Process

Dan relies heavily on the power and process of inspiration. “If I’m painting the Savior for a temple, I just want to do Him justice. I’m intimidated every time,” he said. “I spend a lot of mental prep work getting ready to paint. I get a father’s blessing. I include it in my fast. Then I do the best painting I can with the Lord’s help.”

Dan is quick to add that inspiration doesn’t come all at once. “I can take it only so far, and then I get stuck where I just don’t know what the best thing for the painting is. It’s then that I receive more answers.”

Washington DC Temple Painting

This process was repeatedly manifested in his largest work to date, “His Return,” a depiction of Christ’s Second Coming for the Washington DC Temple.

Dan had already completed six paintings for temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he received a call from the Temple Department to do another: an eight-by-twelve-foot oil painting for the Washington DC Temple. It needed to be completed in time for the temple rededication in the summer of 2022.

“This Second Coming piece was a big slice of humble pie. I ran into several things I didn’t know how to do,” said Dan. “I’ve never done a mural this size before with 300-plus angels. It stretched me. When I get overconfident and don’t rely on the spirit, I make a lot of mistakes I have to spend the next day fixing. It’s pretty easy to stay grounded when you realize you’re painting stuff you can’t paint by yourself. I learn something new each time.”

“The temple department gave me the idea for the painting based on scripture, with the Savior coming in the clouds clothed in a red robe surrounded by numerous angels,” said Dan. “I produced preliminary sketches with graphite. When they were approved, I was asked to do a one-by-two-foot painting which the temple interior designer would use for their color palate. When that was approved, they let me loose.”

Dan went to work finding models and clothing for them, creating concepts for the trumpets, and conducting numerous photoshoots before putting it all together. “I spent hundreds of hours in Photoshop just placing the angels so that they didn’t create a pattern and the diversity was not stacked in one section. I had about 30 models, but as you go further away from Christ the detail isn’t as apparent.”

God is in the very details of our work.

There were more layers of approval for the painting, the last one being a member of the First Presidency of the Church. It took Dan an estimated 2,000 hours to paint “His Return”—a fourth of it in preparation alone.

Specific Revelation

Dan’s original concept was for 120 angels. To give greater depth to the painting, the number grew to more than 300. “I painted one angel at a time,” he said. “It took one to three days per angel. All of them had slightly different contrasts. The hardest thing about painting 300 angels surrounding Christ is to have them not consume all the attention and to have them go back in space evenly and consistently. I was really stressed out about it, and I prayed and fasted a lot.”

One morning Dan awoke early and visualized the use of a specific white glaze to apply in variation to make the angels complement and not compete with the image of the Savior. It gave them a glowing feel and helped them fit perfectly in atmospheric perspective.

“Such a specific revelation is a testimony to me that God is in the very details of our work. That doesn’t just apply to me as a Christian artist working on temple paintings, but it applies to anyone in any career. God is in the details of our work, and He can answer specific questions to help us be better providers, better employees, better employers, better husbands or wives, or wherever we need help. If we’re specific with Him, He’ll be specific with us.”

Howard Collette

Author Bio

Howard Collett has two novels in production, Erika’s War, a spy novel set in contemporary Berlin, and Lost in the Wilderness, the tale of a 10-year-old girl lost in Utah’s Uinta mountains. He has published 1,600 articles and 300 photos in aviation, medicine, software, and education in national and international magazines. His capstone achievement documented life-saving humanitarian aid on four continents. Visit www.howardcollett.net for more information.

How to Publish Your Audiobook for Less

April 28, 2022 By Sapphire Hodges 2 Comments

Julie MacNeil thought her work on her award-winning book The 50-Year Secret was done when she published it. Although she did successfully find readers, many of her friends told her, “I don’t read much, but let me know when it’s on Audible!”

In the ever-shifting world of publication, authors must keep up with current trends to get their work published, noticed, and to increase shelf life. One of the biggest recent developments is streaming audiobooks on platforms such as Audible.

Streaming on Audible comes with several advantages, as Julie discovered when she researched the platform. There are far fewer books on Audible as opposed to ebooks or in print, and its connection to Amazon is enormously powerful in finding new readers (and listeners!)

How to publish on Audible (the easy way)

According to Julie, the easiest and fastest way to publish on Audible is to hire a professional narrator using Audible’s “back office” site and service called ACX.

The first step is to apply and get accepted for publication with Audible. Next, create a client account on ACX. From there, you can browse the profiles of the people who narrate books. You can listen to voice samples, and even solicit auditions from prospective narrators.

Audible’s connection to Amazon is enormously powerful in finding new readers (and listeners!)

Once you find someone who’s a good match for your work, you and the narrator negotiate a price. Prices tend to be high — possibly thousands of dollars or even split royalties — because these narrators are professionals. While narrators work on recording, sections are sent to both the author and Audible for approval before being published as one whole book. When it’s done, your book will be available on Audible for purchase and streaming.

This is the most common way to publish on Audible. However, Julie decided to do something different.

The 50-Year Secret

For Julie, writing and publishing her book wasn’t about fame or money — it was about saving lives.

She had already lived through several difficult events in life, from bullying to abusive relationships, when she discovered through a chance DNA test that she had a rare liver disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

The genetic disease is potentially fatal, but because it is a tricky disease that can often manifest as respiratory rather than liver problems, an estimated 90% of people who have it are undiagnosed. So, Julie was especially glad that she found out.

“I found it really empowering to learn about my disease,” Julie told me in a recent interview. “I wanted to encourage others to … be proactive about their health. Even if you find out you have it or some other disease — even if it means you might die young — I hope you’ll make the most of life.”

Because Julie was adopted, her doctor suggested she try to find her biological family so she could warn them about the disease and encourage them to get tested. Her book chronicles this journey of finding her biological family. Although her father had already passed away from alpha-1, the lives of other family members were saved because they were able to get treatment for the disease they might have died of but never known about.

Julie wrote her book largely because she wanted to help bring awareness to others about alpha-1 and encourage more people to get tested — and maybe save their lives too. Getting on Audible would amplify her message beyond Amazon.

How to publish on Audible (the cost-effective way)

Julie figured out she could still get her book on Audible — and save money — by doing more of the process on her own.

First, she bought a software program for recording and editing audio called Hindenburg. Julie heard about it at a writing conference where she was nominated for an award for her book and was impressed with some of its features. Besides important tools like filters for canceling background noise, she said, “Hindenburg has classes and deals and free trainings to help you learn how to use it.”

Armed with her own software, Julie didn’t need to choose a narrator on ACX. While some authors choose to narrate their own books, she enlisted the help of her friend, Christina Betz (aka Tina) to read for her. Tina set up her own account on ACX as a narrator so that Julie could select her, and then they negotiated their own deal. Tina had never done any professional narrating before, but she did have an advantage because her husband had a recording studio in their home for his own work.

The longest part of the publishing process was recording because there was a learning curve that Julie and Tina had to overcome. Tina would read a section and send it to Audible for approval, and Audible would reject it if it wasn’t perfect. In the beginning, recordings were often rejected, most often due to background noise. Tina had to make her recording studio more soundproof and get better microphones. Tina and Julie even had to change the lights because professional recording equipment can pick up many lights’ hum.

Writing and publishing her book wasn’t about fame or money — it was about saving lives.

After about six months of trial and error (and help from another friend who worked in audio and video marketing), they were finally able to produce quality recordings that lived up to Audible’s standards. After that, it only took Tina about a week to record the 6-hour audiobook. The book was submitted in pieces and finally published all together as an audiobook.

And now, Julie finds it’s easier to find listeners than readers.

If she had to do it again…

With the gift of hindsight, Julie told me she wouldn’t change anything. The hardest part, she said, wasn’t the long recording process. “It’s getting people to leave reviews!”

I asked her if it would be practical for other authors to do what she did to get on Audible. “It’s the cheapest way,” she said. “We could have hired someone else who had the recording equipment, but it might have cost thousands of dollars. It took a long time, but we learned a lot.”

With a little extra effort and research, authors who are accepted for publication on Audible can do a lot of the work themselves for less cost and learn something along the way. Tina enjoyed the process so much that she decided to keep her profile on ACX so that she could narrate again.

Readers who are curious about Julie’s disease — or who might be interested in her inspiring story of adoption and overcoming trials with a positive attitude — can visit her website The50YearSecret.com and check out her book on Amazon or Audible. The book will also be made into a movie.

Sapphire Hodges

Sapphire Hodges has taught anthropology and middle eastern dance at the University of Oklahoma and courses in English as a Second Language at Utah Valley University. Along with her studies in linguistics and anthropology, she has been a licensed massage therapist since 2009 and has taught a little massage. She likes to read, write, dance, and teach her blue heeler, Beowolf, new tricks.

Inspiration & Service in the Creative Process

April 14, 2022 By Steve Dunn Hanson 3 Comments

Some years ago, I became friends with a man who was a Biblical scholar and a prominent Protestant minister. For several months we discussed the gospel. He agreed with almost every key doctrine and accepted my invitation to meet with our missionaries. When the day arrived, the elders did their best to look relaxed but were obviously intimidated. Then my friend said, “Elders before you begin, I want you to know everything you are going to tell me, I already believe!” With an almost audible sigh of relief, the elders proceeded with confidence.

Serve God by Serving Others

Although my friend did not join the Church, my experience with him was profound. In one of the missionary sessions, he picked up his Book of Mormon and read aloud King Benjamin’s words, “And behold I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). He explained that to view helping our fellowman as a literal and direct service to the Savior was a fundamental principle among early Christians. Over time, this understanding was lost. Today, too many professed Christians fail to actively practice that belief. That this truth is stated so clearly in The Book of Mormon affected my friend deeply.

Years ago, he corresponded with Mother Teresa of India. She and her co-workers would regularly visit a muddy, smelly field at night. They would stand in a line holding hands and stretch out so they could barely touch one another’s fingers. Then they would drop their hands and slowly walk forward—listening carefully for the sound of a baby—a baby thrown away by its mother. Once they’d hear the cry, they’d dig through the muck and rescue the child.

To view helping our fellowman as a literal and direct service to the Savior was a fundamental principle among early Christians.

This saintly woman walked through the sea of humanity flooding the streets of Calcutta, searching for those who were dying. Her workers carried them back to her home to wash and feed them. She would sit with a stranger’s head upon her lap for hours to give comfort and consolation in his or her last moments of life.

My friend wrote Mother Teresa a letter asking how she could do this day after day. How could she continuously serve under such horrible, revolting circumstances? Her reply simply stated, “Dear Pastor, don’t you understand? When I am holding a baby covered with slime or a ragged beggar’s head in my lap, I am holding Jesus Christ.” Mother Teresa lived what King Benjamin taught. She followed his direction to “take upon you the name of Christ. . . . (and) remember to retain the name written always in your hearts” (Mosiah 5:8,12; Emphasis added).

Create in the Name of the Savior

What does this have to do with the creative process? After all, there are practical guidelines to help us be effective writers, musicians, artists or any creative endeavor with which we are involved. Who hasn’t heard these principles for success before? Study what others who are successful have done. Get tutored by experts. Be open to honest critique. Practice, practice, practice. Don’t quit! Etc. Etc.

Mastering technique, however, is not the same as creating something meaningful or life-changing. If our desire is to do that, King Benjamin and Mother Teresa’s perspectives and examples regarding our relationship with the Savior is key.

The Apostle Paul said this in his letter to the Colossians, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17; Emphasis added). As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as creators, ALL should include the art we create, the novels we write, the music we compose, and so forth.

Receiving & Recognizing Inspiration

I strive to consider all my efforts as opportunities to magnify Jesus Christ. When I write, I want to bring about His purposes. I try to remember to do it in His name. Admittedly, I lack consistency here, but when I do this, it opens the door for inspiration. My writing becomes more meaningful…because it isn’t just me creating!

How does God’s inspiration come? In my experience, the timing and process vary significantly. Usually, it is a slow, imperceptible flow of ideas, though at times I might have a eureka moment. Often, I simply remember something I’ve read, heard, or experienced that is relevant to what I am trying to convey. Either way, we must seek inspiration if we are to receive and recognize it. We should follow Paul’s admonition and do what we do in the name of the Savior. Then we need to listen and humbly receive that gift with gratitude.

We must seek inspiration if we are to receive and recognize it.

As creators seeking inspiration, we can apply God’s guidance from Doctrine and Covenants: We “must study it out in (our) mind.” Then “if it is right, (the Spirit) will cause that” we will “feel that it is right” (See D&C 9:8; Emphasis added). As we feel it is right, we are given means to convey that feeling and spirit to those who read, see, or hear what we produce.

Through this process, we are as blessed as those whom we seek to bless. When we strive to uplift those who experience our work, and when we do what we do in the name of Jesus Christ, we become more like Him. As covenant-keeping creators, that is our eternal quest.

Steve Dunn Hanson

Steve Dunn Hanson is the author of several books, including inspirational and adventure fiction and self-help non-fiction, which have been traditionally published and self-published. In addition, he has had articles published in The Ensign, and writes poetry and hymns. He and his wife, Joyce currently live on a scenic hill in northeast Washington.

Visit Steve Dunn Hanson at https://stevedunnhanson.com/

The Power of Asking ‘Why?’: Improving the depth and credibility of your writing

March 24, 2022 By Howard Collett 7 Comments

When I emerged from the diminutive mosque in a remote African village, I had a burning question. It came to mind while sitting reverently during prayers which the Imam had graciously invited us to observe.

I was a writer and photographer in Sierra Leone with two senior missionaries and a two-person video crew for LDS Charities filming a documentary on clean water projects (see more).

The village was home to a thousand people: half Christian, half Muslim. After thanking the Imam for his invitation, I asked him, “How do you get along with the Christians?”

Asking the right questions

The puzzled look on his face mirrored his reply: “What do you mean?”

Stammering, I said, “Well, half of the village is Christian, the other half is Muslim. How do you get along?”

When he gave the same response again, I wondered how much English the Imam understood. Then I realized his point-of-view on world issues was vastly different than mine. The village had no electricity, no running water, no televisions, scant public transportation (unless you call the back of a motorbike or the top of a cargo truck public transportation), few cell phones, and no world news.

To provide perspective, I mentioned that throughout history Muslims and Christians had battled each other. Then I repeated my original question.

We work in the fields side by side just to survive. What is there to fight about?

The Imam answered, “You don’t understand.” Then he gave me perspective. “The Christians helped us build our mosque. We helped them build their houses. We work in the fields side by side just to survive. What is there to fight about?”

Perhaps I should have first asked “why.”

Getting to the point

Not too long after my trip to Africa, I interviewed a science professor at BYU in Provo, Utah. He was renowned for his work in a particular field. I asked him why his work was so important. He answered with a barrage of scientific jargon, little of which I understood.

Unfortunately, I repeated the mistake I’d made with the Imam by asking the professor the same question again. His answer was mingled with words such as “leading research,” “peer-reviewed trials,” breakthrough technology,” etc.

Flustered, I blurted, “Why should I care?”

Startled, he looked at me thoughtfully, then answered, “It’s a possible cure for cancer.”

“Now I have a story,” I said. And a headline, I thought. People don’t care about a process until they can see the potential impact it can have on their lives.

For example, when Joseph Smith walked into the Sacred Grove that spring morning in 1820 to ask which church he should join, he had little knowledge about the nature of God. He received an answer to the “which” question but also learned why. God revealed the nature of Himself and His Son, knowing it is easier for us to pray to a God we can comprehend rather than a nebulous, unknown being. And that understanding would be essential for the revelations that followed in the years to come.

Who knows where “why” will lead

My final story comes from a sister missionary in Germany. My wife and I were senior missionaries and district leaders for an all-sister district. Wanting to know why they decided to serve missions, we asked questions. Our dialogue with this particular sister went something like this:

“What did you do before you started your mission?”

“I played soccer at a junior college.”

“How did you do?”

“I scored a lot of goals.”

When you think you have all the answers, ask one more question.

I could have ended there, but I’d learned when you think you have all the answers, ask one more question.

“Why?”

“I was the smallest player on the team,” she said, “so I knew I had to be faster, smarter, and more determined than anyone else.”

Now I had something to write about. I knew the why as well as the what and how. In fact, the physical characteristics and personality of the female protagonist in my novel are based on our missionary’s answer. You never know where asking why will lead you.

Asking questions leads to discovery

Asking questions while researching your book (or preparing for a presentation, podcast, interview, etc.) will add depth and understanding to your work. Ask questions of your characters to understand them better and make them more believable to your readers. We told our missionaries in Germany to ask questions before they started teaching. It not only endeared them to their friends, but their answers about their joys, concerns, successes, and failures often led to gospel discussions.

The concept of asking the right questions is not new, as Simon Sinek described in his acclaimed book, Start with Why. His Ted Talk on the topic has 56 million views. Simon says every inspired leader or innovator asks the question “What.” A smaller number ask “How,” and very few ask “Why.”

The essence of “why”

The plot in my upcoming novel, Erika’s War, is about uranium being smuggled from Germany to Russia. There, the Russians will generate vast amounts of electricity and sell it to the Germans at an extremely low price. The conspiracy will drive renewable power and other sources of electricity out of business, eventually giving the Russians economic control over Germany on a scale not seen since the Cold War.

Plausibility for my plot is strengthened when I discovered that growth of renewable sources of energy is already faltering in Europe. Asking the right questions gave me the why. For example, I discovered that villages in Germany are taxing wind farms for noise pollution and limiting encroachment to two kilometers. This raises the cost of land acquisition and wind farm operation, and increases the likelihood of acceptance of lower-priced energy from Russia.

“Why” has to do with purpose, cause, or belief, not results. It’s the reason Christians and Muslims get along in Sierra Leone. It’s the reason the science professor spends untold hours of research. It’s the reason my soccer player was so good. And it’s the reason the protagonist in your novel just might prevail.