5 Latter-day Saint artists paint pictures of religion

An image could also be value a thousand words, but on this case, watching that picture be painted or drawn is value a whole lot of hundreds of views for a series of videos recently released by the Church on its YouTube channel.

The Church published five videos between October and December 2023 that included the five artists’ personal stories of constructing faith in Jesus Christ. Some of the artists’ murals were based on general conference messages from Church leaders like Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson.

‘Find Relief From the World’

In the primary video of the series, Tessa Broyles painted a mural on a wall in New York City and shared how she found relief from personal challenges through Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Broyle’s painting and video are based on President Johnson’s general conference message “Jesus Christ Is Relief.”

A virtual snapshot in time, Broyles said, the mural is supposed to depict the moment when God begins to take the weighted-down backpack off her back.

“I wanted it to be that moment when relief is beginning to be felt,” she said.

‘Parenting With Christ’

Illustrator and muralist Brooke Smart found inspiration for her painting within the experiences of her own life that included divorce, being a single mom and having a blended family. She said she has a core belief she wanted to come back through in her mural.

“Jesus Christ is a component of every of our families,” she said.

In a part of the mural, Smart painted a single mom praying together with her children.

“Taken daily, parenthood is manageable with Christ,” Smart said. Looking back on the teachings of Elder Uchtdorf from his April 2023 general conference message, she said, “I actually imagine that Jesus Christ is the strength of oldsters.”

‘Be Kind to Yourself, Beloved Child of God’

Tyran Schouten shared his struggle to resolve internal conflicts, wounds and shame as he painted a mural within the streets of New York City.

“I do know each of us have our own trials and struggles,” Schouten said. “But for me, recognizing that Jesus Christ gave the right example, I don’t query His love for me.”

While he said he knew the Savior loved him, the harder part to simply accept was that he needed to also love himself.

“At times, I’ve had a tough time accepting that love in myself. Through my art, I hope to encourage others to hunt wholeness and oneness, to reflect inward and ask, ‘Am I at peace inside?’”

‘How I Found Out God Loves Me’

Sarah Allred is a chalk artist. On a university sidewalk, she depicted her journey of attempting to slot in despite the loneliness she felt growing up. Allred began to lose her hearing around age 4 and said she was teased as a toddler and felt like she was “in a very dark place.”

“I used to be looking for acceptance and approval from those around me,” she said. “… It was not until I began praying to God and turning to Christ that I began to feel peace.”

Allred said she still gets teased at times but has seen an increased ability to concentrate on herself. Through that, she said she has been in a position to feel Heavenly Father’s love more intensely in her life.

“In the top, light all the time wins,” she said.

‘A Journey From Darkness to Hope’

In Rebecca Pletsch’s video, she shares her story of disappointment and anger and the way she was in a position to turn to God through prayer to search out comfort and feel His love.

“You may not understand why things are happening the best way they’re, they usually may not ever be resolved the best way you wish them to,” Pletsch said. “But in the event you pray to feel God’s peace and His love, you’ll all the time have the option to feel that.”