• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • 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
    • Sponsors & Vendors
    • Speaker Application
    • FAQs
    • 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
    • Sign Up (Free)
    • LDSPMA Next Gen (Youth)
    • University Chapters
    • Facebook Group
  • Programs
    • 2025 LDSPMA Master Classes
    • Monthly Zoom Discussions
    • Mentoring Program
  • Podcast
    • Watch
    • Listen
      • Listen on Apple Podcasts
      • Listen on Spotify
      • Listen on Google Podcasts
      • 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
      • Marketing
      • Cultural Diversity
  • Awards
    • Apply to Be an Awards Judge
    • 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
  • 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
    • Volunteer
    • Donate

The Power of the Word: LDSPMA 2017 Conference

December 13, 2017 By Kristen Reber Leave a Comment

By Kristen Reber

Editor’s Note: This conference was held before Latter-day Saint Publishing Professionals Association (LDSPPA) changed its name to Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association (LDSPMA).

Our annual conference in 2017 was held on September 22 and 23 at the BYU Salt Lake Center. The theme was “The Power of the Word.” The Spirit was strong as we listened to knowledgeable and inspired speakers share both spiritual and practical lessons for our publishing careers.

We kicked off the conference with a wonderful message from John S. Tanner, president of BYU–Hawaii. Speaking metaphorically, he compared Latter-day Saint publishing professionals to anableps, an unusual kind of fish with eyes on the top of its head that simultaneously see both below and above the water. “In a similar fashion,” he said, “Latter-day Saint publishing professionals must look up to heaven and down to earth at the same time. They must care about mundane matters, like markets, profits, and the expectations of audiences, yet they need to do so with eyes single to God and His glory.” This practical and inspiring message was the perfect start to our conference.

Brother Tanner’s talk was followed by two breakout sessions. The classes covered writing, marketing, editing, the past and future of Latter-day Saint publishing, WordPress, self-publishing, and networking. We thank the speakers, moderators, panel members for their time, preparation, and excellent messages. When the time came for the networking lunch, there was a palpable feeling of enthusiasm in the air.

At the networking lunch, authors pitched their book ideas to editors, marketing professionals learned from one another, and others excitedly shared what they had just learned in the breakout sessions. After lunch, conference participants attended three more breakout sessions, where more information was given about marketing, writing and editing in all genres, how to work with photographers, how to navigate the publishing world, the inner workings of Cedar Fort, and how to use Adobe InDesign. We thank the speakers for their well-thought-out messages, time, and preparation.

We closed the first day of our conference with an inspiring message from Sheri Dew. Drawing upon the phenomenon of the Total Eclipse in August, Sister Dew talked about how every human being has a divine orbit and the potential and privilege to influence all who come inside his or her orbit. “Those blessed with gifts of expression are in a unique position to have incalculable influence and do inestimable good,” she said. As one conference attendee put it, “Sheri Dew completely changed the way I think about myself as a writer. No longer do I desire to become famous just for the sake of being famous. Now, I desire only to build the Lord’s kingdom, and if as a result I become famous, well then, all the better for being an instrument in His hands. My work isn’t about me anymore. It’s about Him.”

The next morning, conference-attendees arrived eagerly anticipating what new wisdom the day had in store for them. Wendy Ulrich started off the day by instructing us on how to navigate the paradoxes of creating content for a Latter-day Saint audience. She said, “As authors and artists, we want to offer something fresh and new, but we’ll have trouble getting heard if we stray outside the bounds of Church orthodoxy. Secular training may increase our credibility with some Latter-day Saints but decrease it with others. Our personal faith experience gives us insight into our audience but can tempt us to overextrapolate. Navigating paradox is an element of artistic and psychological maturity that will enrich both our creations and our ability to publish and sell them.” Paradoxes indeed! We so appreciated Sister Ulrich’s guidance and expertise.

Sister Ulrich’s address was followed by breakout sessions not only on writing, editing, and marketing, but also on topics such as social media, reality TV, freelancing, and how to maintain our values while working for non-Latter-day Saint publishers and media companies. The speakers were truly inspired and so enjoyable to listen to! We thank them for their time, preparation, and wonderful messages!

After the breakout sessions, we again enjoyed a fabulous networking lunch, coupled with an awards ceremony honoring the winners of the 2017 LDSPPA Praiseworthy Awards. We had such impressive submissions this year, and we cannot wait to see our submissions for 2018!

We ended our conference with a fantastic interview with best-selling fantasy and science fiction author Brandon Sanderson. In this interview, Brother Sanderson argued that words have incredible power—to unite or divide, to build worlds or tear them apart. Listening to how he creates worlds in his books was insightful and inspiring. To watch the interview, click on the YouTube video below. A special thank you to Miles Wheeler for filming and uploading the interview, and to Devan Jensen for conducting the interview.

We thank everyone who contributed to making the conference a fabulous experience for attendees, as attested in the following feedback:

“This was my first LDSPPA Conference and I loved it. I was inspired by the keynote speakers and learned a lot of practical, immediately applicable insights from the breakout sessions. It’s unusual to be able to have such intimate access to such a stellar group. As an author and champion of uplifting literature and media this is well worth the investment. This association and conference are helping me respond to Elder Bednar’s charge to ‘sweep the earth as with a flood’. I encourage you to join and participate.”—Barry Rellaford, co-author of A Slice of Trust
“Attending the LDSPPA Conference reignited my desire to share light with the world. The conference organizers went to great lengths to make sure we had a rich experience at every turn, and the speakers gave inspiring, timely messages. Already looking forward to next year’s conference!”—Janet Perry, founder of Nonfiction4Life
“I didn’t know what to expect. I’m a filmmaker and musician, not an author, but that didn’t seem to matter.  Everyone was so generous and helpful.  By the end of the first day I pitched an idea to a publisher for a film and a book deal and got a very positive and hopeful response. The conference was inspirational and practical.”—Kevin Kelly, Filmmaker and Musician
“Attending the conference gave me just the professional and spiritual boost I needed. It was wonderful to rub shoulders with other writers and the keynote speakers were especially inspiring.”—Trina Boice, University Professor Brigham Young University–Idaho
“LDSPPA is a unique place for Latter-day Saint publishing people of all stripes to come together. I am just one of many who have been immensely blessed by the connections, experience, and friendships I’ve gained here.”—Caroline Bliss Larsen, Editor
“The LDSPPA conference exceeded my expectations! Not only was I taught in ways to expand professionally, but I learned how to apply gospel principles to my work and make a difference in the world through my efforts. I left fulfilled and inspired.”—Tara Creel, Editor and Book Reviewer

Filed Under: Articles, LDSPMA News

You May Also Like

Sprint Writing for the Win

By Rebecca Talley – “There is no one-size-fits-all for writing a novel – or any book, for that matter. We all must figure out what works for us.”

To Creative Middle-Aged Sisters in the Working World

By JoLynne J. Lyon – “Decide how you’ll measure success. Study your possibilities. Say a prayer. And if it’s what you want to do, get yourself out there.”

A young woman writing.

Why You Don’t Want to Get Your Book Done Quickly

By Angela Eschler – “The quality of the book is a publisher’s best chance to convey the brand experience that will convert readers.”

Actors gather around to study their scripts.

What’s More Important: The Actor or the Show?

By Rebecca Burnham – “I don’t think it’s possible to put on a play that builds community unless you are intentional about prioritizing the people over the product.”

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Articles

Sprint Writing for the Win

By Rebecca Talley – “There is no one-size-fits-all for writing a novel – or any book, for that matter. We all must figure out what works for us.”

To Creative Middle-Aged Sisters in the Working World

By JoLynne J. Lyon – “Decide how you’ll measure success. Study your possibilities. Say a prayer. And if it’s what you want to do, get yourself out there.”

A young woman writing.

Why You Don’t Want to Get Your Book Done Quickly

By Angela Eschler – “The quality of the book is a publisher’s best chance to convey the brand experience that will convert readers.”

Recent Podcast Episodes

Popular Articles

A senior couple walking down a quiet lane

Sometimes Things Do Work Out

By Steve Dunn Hanson – We can choose how any situation or circumstance we find ourselves in will ultimately affect us. We can literally shape the results of all our experiences.

Cussing & Creating: 3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t (& Should!) Use Profanities in Your Writing

By Lizzy Pingry – Writers must evaluate the way they express themselves: how does our use of language and its profanities build or destroy our stories? 

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

By Howard Collett – “God is in the very details of our work. That doesn’t just apply to Christian artists working on temple paintings, but it applies to anyone in any career. God can answer specific questions to help us be better providers, better employees, better employers, better husbands or wives, or wherever we need help.” – Artist, Dan Wilson

More Articles

Showing Versus Telling to Write Compelling Dialogue

By Emma Heggem – Don’t waste time with dialogue that isn’t going to strengthen your story. Focus on the moments that readers truly need to hear (read) about and you will end up having a much easier time keeping them interested and invested.

A woman painting.

Combining Art and Writing

By Cathy Witbeck – While art can enhance the way we look at the world, writing helps us process words and ideas.

The 10 Awful Truths about Book Publishing

By LDSPMA – The thin margins in the industry, high complexities of the business, intense competition,
churning of new technologies, and rapid growth of other media lead to constant turmoil in bookselling and publishing…Translation: expect even more changes and challenges in coming months and years.

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.