Welcome to the Maxwell Institute podcast. I'm Joseph Stewart.

When's the first time that you remember seeing the Book of Mormon depicted in art form?

For me, it was looking through the gospel art kit that my family had received for Christmas one year when I was about six.

I remember looking through and being fascinated by the different depictions of what

prophets and families looked like in the Book of Mormon. Jennifer Champo, an art history scholar,

in partnership with the Willis Center at BYU's Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship,

has created and curated the Book of Mormon art catalog, which seeks to provide unprecedented access to visual imagery inspired by the Book of Mormon through a comprehensive, open access, and searchable database.

In this role, the catalog supports research and education, aids scholarly and artistic work, promotes a greater knowledge of artists worldwide,

provides a study and devotional resource for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

and creates opportunities for increased understanding and collaboration.

I'll add that because we're discussing art today, I would also recommend that you take a look at the Maxwell Institute YouTube channel,

where Jennifer has given a lecture and we have posted it there, which you can find

by Googling Neill A Maxwell Institute YouTube.

Please also be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook at at BYU Maxwell.

Now without further ado, let's speak with Jennifer Shampo.

Welcome Jenny Shampo to the Maxwell Institute podcast.

Thank you so much for having me.

Of course, it is our pleasure to host you today.

And you're here to discuss the Book of Mormon art catalog.

When did you first conceive of the Book of Mormon art catalog or see its need?

Oh, thanks.

Yeah, so it just launched this week.

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