2024 Visualizing Learning Exhibit Pieces

The Ball of Curious Workmanship

Grant Jackson

As I have attended BYU, I have been continually impressed by how faith is seamlessly woven into education. While at first, I was surprised to hear professors pause to bear powerful testimonies while teaching Calculus, I have come to relish these instances. I can proudly state that not just my religion class, but every class that I have taken at BYU has been instrumental in building my testimony and deepening my conversion. This has helped me to understand that all truth is spiritual and sacred, both what I learn in a classroom setting and what I learn in my own study of the scriptures.

I created this depiction of the Liahona to remind myself that as I listen to God and let him direct my life, I will achieve more than I ever could on my own. I threw this as a closed form with an inner dome, trimmed it into shape, and carved windows into it. Other than the spire, the entire body was thrown from a single lump of clay.

Eyes of Faith

Emma Rupp

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Seeking to rejoice and marvel at God’s greatness in bringing order from chaos during His Creation, I organized my chaos of paint into an individual representing our mother Eve. Perhaps her closed eyes are the veil covering the eyes of the children of men after Eve and Adam fell from God’s presence. Her lively hair could speak of her quickened spirit and an inner compass pointing back toward God. She and Adam lifted their souls to Him. Though separated from our Father’s presence in a probationary state, eventually, Adam and Eve’s eyes were reopened. With eyes of faith opened by our Savior, Jesus Christ, they rejoiced in their knowledge that again, in the flesh, they would see God (Moses 5). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus Christ can lift us and open our eyes as we reach out to Him in faith and prayer, just as He did for Adam and Eve.

The Shipwrecking of Paul

Cameron Vines

The account of Paul’s shipwreck spans only five verses, yet historians have drawn rich details from both the wreck and the preceding voyage. While researching my ink piece, I explored Roman and Jewish attire, the type of ship Paul likely sailed on, and the treacherous conditions that made the journey so perilous.

The story’s lesson is clear: when an apostle warns you, heed his words. I imagine the Roman centurion learned this well over his months with Paul. This idea shaped my composition—Paul’s gaze is lifted toward heaven, his faith placed in God. Meanwhile, the centurion’s eyes are fixed on Paul, a man whose unwavering trust in the divine taught him where true faith should rest.

In Remembrance of My Body

Sarah Mohlman

As I studied the New Testament in Dr. Halverson’s class, I reflected on the parallels between Christ’s actions during the Last Supper and the sacramental ordinance performed today. I imagined Christ breaking the unleavened bread for the first time, perhaps feeling a mix of fear, sorrow, courage, and anticipation for what lay ahead. That same night, He would suffer in Gethsemane and be taken away to be crucified the next day.

In facing the path to His atoning sacrifice, Christ established the new covenant, tearing the bread to symbolize how His flesh would be torn in suffering. Yet, this sacred act was not performed in solitude but shared with His disciples, providing a tangible representation of His impending sacrifice. Though they may not have fully understood its significance, we, in these latter days, have the benefit of multiple accounts of His Atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection.

With that knowledge, we can reflect deeply on His sacrifice as we partake of the sacrament each week. He atoned for us individually, broken so we might be made whole. Let us approach the sacrament with greater reverence and preparation—just as Christ did when He shared that sacred meal with His disciples.

His Father Saw Him and Ran

Amelia Abbe

This embroidery piece represents the moment in the Parable of the Prodigal Son when the father sees his son returning and runs to embrace him. In Dr. Pierce’s class, we discussed how this parable teaches that God’s love is not passive—He runs to meet us with open arms, no matter how far we have wandered. I chose embroidery as my medium because stitching is an act of repair and connection, reflecting the way relationships can be restored through love and grace. The landscape, painted with watercolor and layered with thread, represents both distance and reunion. The figures are small, yet the father’s movement is unmistakable—echoing the overwhelming mercy that bridges the gap between us and God.

Defied All Description

Hannah Watson

This piece is a depiction of the event that set off the beginning of the Restoration of the church. How could you truly put into words what it meant? In representing the importance and complexity of the first vision, I have included all three accounts Joseph gave to help us understand his statement that his experience truly “def[ied] all description,” (JS-H 1:17). I also included the Restoration Proclamation, published in 2020, that further emphasizes the magnitude and divinity of this occasion. I was inspired by the artist, The Color Amber, and her piece Light of our Souls. Taking the Foundations of the Restoration class truly deepened my testimony in Joseph Smith and his prophetic calling. Being able to depict such a monumental event in a medium that is so meaningful to me was an incredible experience. As I painted, I listened to talks about the first vision and had versions of the song Joseph's First Prayer on repeat. Through this experience, I was able to gain my own witness to the reality of the Restoration of the Gospel and I will forever be grateful for it!

Entwined

Jaida Valenzuela

This piece represents my relationship with Jesus Christ through two intertwined and linked circles. The twisting forms reflect both the struggles and strength found in faith—how it can feel stretched, tested, and reshaped, yet always remain connected. I chose clay as my medium because it symbolizes transformation; just as clay is refined through fire, so too are we refined through trials and experiences with Christ.

A concept from Dr. Taggart’s class that resonated with me is the idea that faith is not static—it grows and shifts through life’s challenges. This inspired me to create an interconnected form rather than something rigid or perfectly symmetrical. The twists are intentional, representing moments of struggle, but also the beauty in remaining linked to Christ.

Ultimately, this piece is a visual reminder of faith’s evolving nature and the enduring connection Christ offers us, no matter how complicated our journey may seem.

The Mountain of the Lords House

David Thompson

I love the connection between the mountains and the House of the Lord. Both teach us of the Lord’s love and power, and the scriptures are filled with examples of powerful spiritual experiences in both locations. Isaiah invites us to “Come ye, and … go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways…” (Isaiah 2:3). On top of mountains and inside of temples are the Lord’s specially prepared classrooms for His children to learn the principles of eternity.

I was inspired to create this art in Dr. Pierce's class on Isaiah. One of the most important lessons I learned from Dr. Pierce is that the primary message of Isaiah is that the Lord loves us and wants us to make covenants with Him.

In order to convey the connection between the mountains and the temple, I used black and white film to produce a double exposure of the Orem temple and Mount Timpanogos. A double exposure is where you expose the same section on a roll of film twice, resulting in two images stacked on top of each other.

Helaman 5:12

Vivianlee Alaka'i Kau

In REL 121, Professor Robbie Taggart challenged us to work on a project that strengthens our relationship with God, primarily through the Book of Mormon. I thought this would be a good opportunity to reconcile my Hawaiian culture and my faith by using kāpala (stamping) to create this gospel-related painting.

The overall message: We can overcome all trials when we build a foundation on Christ. (Helaman 5:12)

Significance of colors:

White & Black – Symbolizing good and evil, as often depicted in the Book of Mormon.
Red & Yellow – Representing Hawaiian royalty and divine power. Red for Kū (God of war) and yellow for Lono (God of peace). Good and evil are both powerful, but good prevails (D&C 29:27-29).
Significance of stamps:
Red stamps (trials):

- Triangles: Judgment (1 Nephi 8:26-28)
- Diamonds: Pain, suffering, sin (Alma 36:12-13)
- Four squares: Storms, floods (Matthew 7:26-27)
- Jagged shape: Confusion, being lost (1 Nephi 8:23)
- Square within circle: Pride (Alma 30:60)

White & Gold (the gospel):

- Overall shape: Temple/mountain (Psalm 24:3)
- Base: Church foundation (Helaman 5:12)
- Gold bar: Christ, the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20, 1 Nephi 8:24)
- Triangle: Ourselves, built upon Christ, with light radiating outward (Matthew 5:14-16).

Look and Live

Olivia Davis

The inspiration for “Look and Live” comes from the many stories we discussed in Professor Hilton’s class—stories of prophets and people who turned to Christ’s sacrifice and found refuge and peace.

There is the story of Enoch, who foresaw Christ and His Atonement and found comfort. The story of Alma the Younger, who was in the "gall of bitterness" but found peace when he turned his thoughts to the Savior’s suffering for him. And of course, the story of Moses and the brass serpent, where all who looked upon the staff were saved.

This final story serves as the perfect symbol of the feelings expressed by Enoch, Alma, and all who find peace in the Savior’s Atonement. Christ’s sacrifice is so powerful, and He is so merciful, that the simple act of looking to Him can save us—even from the deepest places. I wanted to create a piece of art that could remind me of the feeling I get when I think of my Savior.