For many, relating to a text written over 2,000 years ago can be challenging. Despite valuable lessons, the world looks very different from how it did back then. Artist Jared Miller is seeking to bridge that 2,000-year gap with a new art exhibit and book, which just launched here in Davis County. 

The artist’s journey for Miller was inspired in large part by the story of the fourth Primary President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Adele C. Howells. Howells had a dream of bringing the stories of The Book of Mormon to life for primary-aged children. To that end, Howells, using her own money from selling her own land, commissioned prolific painter Arnold Freiberg to paint scenes from the scriptures, many of which are still in use by the Church today. 

In turn, Miller wanted to bring these stories, specifically from the Book of Helaman to a new generation. “These stories have so much relevance to our lives today,” said Miller, “The Book of Helaman is talking about our day today, we’re going through similar things today.” Why this particular book of scripture specifically? 

Miller related how so many people, both those inside and outside of church membership are very familiar with the first part of The Book of Mormon, but not so much the latter part, especially this crucial moment in the years leading up to the coming of Jesus Christ to the Americas. So, Miller went at it in earnest, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. “I’ve been working on it a long time,” he said, “years…more than five or six years.”

He took the time to see what was, to him, meaningful in each passage, and story and thought about how to portray it in a new way. “For us,” he said, “it’s a couple of sentences on paper, but for them (the people of The Book of Mormon) it was their whole lives.” To portray that, Miller decided against a historical depiction, especially since he doesn’t know for sure what the Nephite world looked like, and thought, “What can I do to lower these barriers of entry?” for those who haven’t read the book.

After looking for an artist to fulfill this vision, Miller decided, “If I want to do it right, I need to do it myself,” and using his background at the Art Institute of Chicago, and art classes taken at BYU, went at it in good earnest. Each piece has been created in the digital medium, meticulously, and by hand to create a modern and cinematic feel that brings the stories of the Book of Helaman to life in a new way. 

While the Davis openings have passed (Sept. 3 and 4.), those interested in seeing the art in person can still catch exhibits in Cottonwood Heights on Sept. 6, and in Springville, Sept. 7. More information on the Book of Helaman exhibit, and book, a collection of artwork by Miller, can be found at myscriptures.org, or by emailing [email protected].