Friday, October 17, 2025, 5:00–8:30 p.m.
UVU Sorenson Center Grand Ballroom, Orem, UT
Come enjoy an evening of food, music, and laughter as we celebrate works that are “virtuous, lovely, [of] good report, [and] praiseworthy”!
The Evening’s Agenda
5:00 Doors open (background music provided)
5:30 Dinner served by UVU Catering
6:00 Musical performance
6:30 Presentation of awards
– Acceptance remarks by Lifetime Achievement Award recipients
– Announcement of Praiseworthy Award winners
– Recognition of Spark Award winners
Emcees
Liana Tan
Liana Tan has worked for more than a decade in the entertainment/media industry, from writing and filming her own full-length documentary, to producing TV & radio talk shows in New York & Salt Lake. Liana also loves when she can use her passion for acting to share her testimony and has enjoyed roles such as “Eliana” (Enos’ wife) in The Book of Mormon series, “Mary Magdalene” in the Church’s 2025 Easter campaign, and “Rona” in season 5 of The Chosen. She’s now an actress, private acting coach, emcee, and radio DJ on Idaho’s “Star98.” You can keep up with her media endeavors on Instagram @lianatan_acting.
Thomas Scott
As a 30+ year musician, a 20+ year stage actor and 10+ year MC and event host, Thomas Scott has paired his interpersonal, improv and engagement skills together with 18 years of business acumen to create EastIDMC, a brand specializing in music, mics and entertainment for live events. With his first clients being friends, family and fools, EastIDMC has since grown to host over 50 events annually ranging from multi-day community expos to intimate private weddings. Thomas received his bachelors from BYUI in Communications and his MBA from Utah State University. He currently resides in Southeast Idaho with his wife and more kids than he planned on.
Musical Entertainment
To Be Announced
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
To be announced!
Lifetime Achievement Award in Publishing
To be announced!
Lifetime Achievement Award in Media
To be announced!
Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts
Praiseworthy Awards
The LDSPMA Praiseworthy Awards program recognizes works that are “of good report or praiseworthy” (Articles of Faith 1:13) in multiple categories across the fields of publishing, media, and the arts. Each year, the Praiseworthy Awards recognize works released during the previous year that are held up to a professional standard.
In August, three finalists for each of our 33 categories will be announced and invited to the LDSPMA Awards Gala. There, the winners will be announced and given their awards.
Praiseworthy Award Categories
Publishing
- Historical Fiction
- Suspense/Mystery
- Science Fiction/Fantasy
- Romance
- Short Story/Anthology/Novella
- History/Biography
- Lifestyle (e.g., cookbooks, journals, work books, etc.)
- Memoir
- Religious Topic/Scripture Study
- Resource/Self-Help
- Poetry
Media
- Picture Book
- Graphic Novel/Web Comic
- Digital Multimedia (e.g., blog posts, articles, essays, etc.)
- Podcast (1 episode)
- Audiobook
- Short Form Film
- Long Form Film
- Long Form Film Series (1 episode)
- Filmed Dance Performance
- Music Video Cover/Arrangement
- Music Video Children’s Original
- Music Video Adult/Youth Original
Arts
- Secular Music Cover/Arrangement
- Original Pop/Rock/Electronic Music
- Original Folk/Indie/Jazz Music
- Original Musical Theater (1 song)
- Original Classical/Instrumental Music
- Religious Music Cover/Arrangement
- Original Religious Children’s Music
- Original Religious Adult/Youth Music
- 2D Art
- 3D Art
Spark Awards
A primary purpose of LDSPMA is to lift creators from where they may be struggling to find new inspiration, hope, and opportunities. Part of the way LDSPMA fulfills this mission is to recognize aspiring, amateur creators in a variety of categories in publishing, media, and the arts. These creators receive not only the Spark Award, which recognizes their potential and talent, but also valuable resources to propel their creative career forward.
Our 2024 Spark Award winners will be announced in August.
Spark Award Categories
Publishing
- Historical Fiction
- Suspense/Mystery
- Science Fiction/Fantasy
- Romance
- Short Story/Anthology/Novella
- History/Biography
- Lifestyle (e.g., cookbooks, journals, work books, etc.)
- Memoir
- Religious Topic/Scripture Study
- Resource/Self-Help
- Poetry
Media
- Picture Book
- Graphic Novel/Web Comic
- Digital Multimedia (e.g., blog posts, articles, essays, etc.)
- Podcast (1 episode)
- Audiobook
- Screenplay
- Short-form Film
- Filmed Dance Performance
- Music Video
Arts
- Secular Music Cover/Arrangement
- Original Pop/Rock/Electronic Music
- Original Folk/Indie/Jazz Music
- Original Classical/Instrumental Music
- Original Musical Theater (1 song)
- Religious Music Cover/Arrangement
- Original Religious Children’s Music
- Original Religious Adult/Youth Music
- 2D Art
- 3D Art
Your Donation Matters
The LDSPMA Awards Gala is not just an awards banquet—it is our annual fundraising event. Funds from donations will be used to fund new ways LDSPMA can serve youth and young professionals in 2025. Thank you!
Purchase Tickets
Tickets can be purchased by themselves or when registering for the main conference.
Awards winners, awards finalists, awards judges, and their family and friends receive a discount on tickets. Contact us at [email protected] if you have not received your discount code yet.
Thank you to our sponsors for making this conference possible!
