Repicturing the Restoration: New Art to Expand Our Understanding

by Anthony R. Sweat

While existing artwork that portrays the Restoration is rich and beautiful, until now many key events in Latter-day Saint history have surprisingly never been depicted to accurately represent the historical record. The purpose of this volume is to produce paintings of some of the underrepresented events in order to expand our understanding of the Restoration. Each image includes a richly researched historical background, some artistic insights into the painting's composition, an application section providing one way this history may inform our present faith, and an analysis section offering potent questions that can be considered for further discussion. Through these new paintings, artist, author, and professor Anthony Sweat takes readers through a timeline history of pivotal events and revelations of the early Restoration. This book is not just a wonderful art book; it is also a pedagogical book using art as a launching pad to learn, evaluate, apply, and discuss important aspects of Latter-day Saint history and doctrine as readers repicture the Restoration.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Art, Faith, Spirituality, History

256 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2020

Reviews

[Matthew Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for books on art. How often do we get first-hand insight like this from an artist?
His artwork is superb in content and detail.
His questions at the end of the chapters are thoughtful and productive to think about.
I really liked it.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aficionados of Mormon history -- from beginners to experts -- will love this book. It is especially appealing to visual learners.

Sweat, a professionally trained artist and professor of religion at BYU, lays out a wide range of subjects from the life of Joseph Smith via painting and prose. He's not afraid to face head-on the stories of church history that were sometimes covered up, mentioned only in passing, or simply forgotten until recent years.

Multiple accounts of the First Vision? Check. Peepstones? Check. Oliver Cowdery's divining "sprout?" Check. Joseph Smith's sometimes short temper? Check. Female ritual annointings and healings? Check. Emma Smith not being on board with polygamy? Check. Blacks ordained to the priesthood in Joseph Smith's day? Check.

He paints each of these subjects with energy, imagination, and faith. Every chapter tells the historical context of the scene being depicted, Sweat's thinking behind the painting, and a brief explanation of the techniques he used to paint it. Then he adds thought-provoking questions about the subject itself. Questions you could ask in Sunday School class or seminary.

Oh, and footnotes. As a university professor, Sweat is careful to document his sources for those who want to know more.

One last thing. Did you know Joseph Smith had his dog with him in Liberty Jail? Yep. Get the book and look for that painting.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved reading this book, as well as learning about the amazing process of art creation. As always, Anthony Sweat is a masterful teacher. His approach to some topics of uncomfortable church history (with text and art) was very appealing to me. He lead me on a path of thought-provoking questions that I was able to reconcile as I viewed his beautiful images and pondered the details he presented from church history. I am appreciative of his great talent, his scholarly research and his genuinely honest approach to what may be considered by some to be difficult discussions. This is a book I will continue to enjoy and reference. I think everyone should read and experience Sweat’s art, research and teaching tone for themselves. Beautifully done!

[Wesley Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to express how much I loved this book. The Church of Jesus Christ has a complicated history, and Anthony Sweat shines lights on events that are not often discussed. He writes extensive commentaries on the choices artists of the past have made, as well as his process for composing each piece. He gives plenty of historical background for each event, and he asks though-provoking questions a after each one. These would make great lessons for families who use books like “Ites” and “Girls who choose God.” However, some of the mature topics may be better suited for older children and teenagers.

[Lacey W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I enjoyed the visual component as well as the tone. The author goes through each of the major events of the church's early history. He embraces the controversial questions some may have and gives his insight in an uplifting, yet more neutral kind of way. He leaves the reader with questions to ponder and study at the end of each chapter. It is thought provoking, a good intro to Joseph's history, and provides opportunity for discussion with others. This is one worth buying and keeping for visitors to look at.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this even more than I thought I would and feel like it's an important book for every member of the Church to read. Reading it on my phone was frustrating at times because I couldn't enlarge the pictures, so one day I would like to see a regular copy. But the questions Sweat brings up about representation in gospel artwork, including of different races and women, are compelling. I was also fascinated by his determination to paint important scenes from Church history that have never been shown before, including of things that aren't pretty or comfortable, because it is important to have those conversations and acknowledge the hard things as well as the glorious. Life is messy and Church history is too. It's part of being human and fallible! We don't have all the answers in this life, but hopefully we're each doing our best and forgiving ourselves and each other as we go along.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wore so many hats and wore each of them very well. It could have been just a church history book, it could have been an art book, and it could have been a theology book. Lucky us that it's all three. Sweat is a gifted artist and his paintings are beautiful and their meaning will be with me for a very long time. The combination of his skills as an artist as well as a historian make this book a real stand out. He didn't shy away from the controversial moments from our history and he didn't sanitize the past. Instead of weakening my testimony he invited me to think deeper about what it means to belong to the church, to believe in a prophet and the Restoration.

My favorite quote:

"I am eternally grateful for my beliefs that Joseph was a prophet, but I am also deeply grateful that I know he was also a man. Seeing his humanity doesn't lessen my belief in his prophetic role - it increases it. It shows me that God will work through imperfect people who are doing their very best to follow him. I've seen that in Joseph, I've seen it in other men and women from church history, I've seen it in modern Saints today, and I've seen it in myself. I hope these paintings, and your increased efforts to study about and learn from Joseph Smith, will do the same for you. There is yet so much to learn."

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love so many things about this book. Most obviously, I love the art and that it art with a new perspective/view into LDS church history. I definitely learned new things as Anthony described the history behind the paintings. I think what I loved most however, were the questions to ponder at the end of the art and history lesson. I found the questions to be very thought provoking and without obvious answers (if there were any definite answers at all.) I checked this book out from the library, but am considering purchasing the book because I think it would be such a wonderful resource for teaching older youth or an adult Sunday school class.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, thought provoking book for someone who loves art and/or someone who wants to learn more about events in church history that aren't represented visually.

With each painting, Sweat gives historical background, an explanation as to why he used various artistic techniques, an application of the doctrine from the event, and several thoughtful questions to ponder for further enlightenment.

Not a book to be read quickly cover to cover, but to "read" for both artistic enjoyment and for deepening conversion. I've enjoyed reading this book over the past couple of months.

[VeeDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

We sometimes learn the history we know from a picture--whether it is accurate or not. Anthony Sweat, a professionally trained artist and professor of religion at BYU, lays out a wide range of subjects from the life of Joseph Smith in art and written word. He's not afraid to face head-on the stories of LDS church history that were never taught in classes, or mentioned only in passing, or possibly simply forgotten until recently.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an art book. It's a history book. Just don't try reading it in bed because it is on the heavy side! I really enjoyed the things I learned about LDS church history, as well as the tidbits about art that were shared in this book. Some of the historical things were uncomfortable, some fascinating, and many I didn't know about it. I loved learning about the process of creating a piece of art, and appreciate what an artist does to make a painting that will tell a story.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough--it's a volume that all Latter-Day Saints should engage with. The art (depicting less-common scenes from church history) is beautiful, the explanations of his art are fascinating, and the questions that he poses (and the history he presents) as a church history professor are exactly the concepts we ought to be engaging with as 21st century Mormons. Highly recommend this book.

[Jeffrey Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony Sweat's dedication to improve the historical authenticity of the narrative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint through his artwork is masterful. He clarifies the complexities of tradeoffs between historical accuracies and artistic presentation masterfully. My understanding of faith, history and art was strengthened in this book and I hope to see more artwork from Dr. Sweat soon, preferably on my own wall next time.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like Anthony Sweat and I view the gospel through such similar lenses, so naturally, I loved this book! I read it a piece at a time over the course or several months while waiting in the carpool line at my kid's school. This book is rich in historical context, thoughtful insights, and meaningful analysis. Exactly the type of religious scholarship I love. And of course, the art is beautiful!

[Susan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone. Each work of art had the history behind it, application, commentary on the art itself (which I always need to totally appreciate art) and some thought-provoking questions. Unfortunately, since this was an interlibrary load, I didn't have the time to really delve into it. My favorite bit of history was Old Major, Joseph Smith's dog.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended! Great concept and execution: author combines art and history to depict lessor known details or events of spiritual history. The art along with background, image description, and questions to ponder come together in a novel way. Sorry that it came to an end. Some text marred by use of "woke" vocabulary.

[Garret Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! The best part is the open and honest tone of the writing and of the artwork. The depictions of the lesser-known or more controversial parts of Latter-day Saint history are so needed and so helpful. I plan to use this book and these images as I teach my family and teach classes. SUCH an important contribution to the collective historical awareness and culture in the Church.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby. This was an interesting book. Many art works related to scripture that has not been painted before. His in depth research was very insightful. We truly do remember pictures of different historical events by the pictures we have seen. His description of step by step creation to picture was interspersed also.

[Jessika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and insightful. I loved the art. And I loved all the sections he chose to include for each painting: background, image, application and analysis. Very thought provoking…. And helpful to someone like me who doesn’t generally STUDY a piece of art but just enjoys it for its surface beauty.

[Louise Hartvigsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a talented author - a professor of church history as well as an artist. He has created paintings of lesser known events in church history. I agree that we learn from visuals and that's important to see various interpretations of historical events.

[Jerry Basford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony Sweat does a great job of telling the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a remarkable and honest way through art. As I look at them his pictures it’s as if I’m understanding that history like I never did through words.

[Trent Mikesell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. He uses his own art as a talking point to discuss early Church history as well as historical perception. I was less interested in the art analysis, but I found all of it fascinating.

[Brian]

I loved this book. The history is very interesting, and I enjoy how he brings up questions we can ponder. I am in awe of his creativity. He explains things very clearly, and talks simply about difficult topics.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book: the art, the premise and the text. I appreciate the efforts of Anthony Sweat to help us repicture the restoration and to bring to light, through at and instruction, some lesser known elements of early Church history.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! Anthony Sweat retells the opening scenes of the Restoration through art. He gives great historical context, discusses the technic and reasoning in his paintings, and gives critical questions to further study and ponder.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a MAGNIFICENT book! I only heard about it by chance, but knew I wanted a copy. So I bought it with a gift certificate given to me. It is even more wonderful than I had anticipated. I look forward to reading it again.

[Jordan Falslev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repicturing the Restoration: New Art to Expand Our Understanding features some beautiful paintings. Sweat does a great job highlighting stories many Latter-day Saints may not know well. It’s important these moments are told and given new light in the history of the early Restoration.

[Rebecca Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book regarding Church History and Art. I learn many new things and it has expanded my visual horizon.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork and I learned so much more about church history. I plan on buying a copy to keep!