(U-WIRE) PROVO, Utah – And it came to pass, he being talented with color drew the record of the people.

Another verse of scripture? Well, yes, in a manner of speaking.

In recent years, attempts have been made to introduce to the masses the keystone of the Latter-day Saint faith – the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Movies such as God’s Army and The Book of Mormon Movie made valiant efforts, but were not praised by moviegoers.

Yea, fear not, and be of good courage, for behold, at the end of this week there will be yet another form of “Mormon media” introduced into the world: The Golden Plates, an illustrated novel by Michael Allred.

With more than 300 images, Volume I: The Sword of Laban and the Tree of Life, will cover 1 Nephi: 1-14. Other volumes will follow with approximately 12 volumes completed by the time Moroni exhorts readers to pray to know of truthfulness and then bids the world adieu.

Artist Michael Allred, from Lakeside, Ore., said he never thought it was possible to do a graphic novel of the Book of Mormon.

“I’ve always wished that there was a visual interpretation of the entire Book of Mormon because I just felt it would be so much more accessible,” Allred said. “I also thought it was impossible to do. I thought, ‘Wow, whoever does this – good luck.'”

A part of the comic book industry for 15 years, Allred previously worked for companies such as Marvel and DC Comics. He is most noted for his characters Madman and Red Rocket 7.

“He has a retro feel to his art; it is very consistent,” said Doug Dial, owner of Fantasy Rules, a comic book and game store in Pleasant Grove, Utah. “When you see his art, you recognize it. His art can tell a story without any words. He is just that good.”

Allred actually received an offer to have Madman drafted into a film. With that project being put on hold, however, it has given him the time he needed to do “The Golden Plates.”

– Jami Coon