Utah

• Virtue Highlighted:

  Prudentiae (Prudence) is represented as a Native American woman symbolizing wisdom and foresight.

• Cultural Representation:

  Incorporates elements from Utah's five prominent Native American tribes: Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone, and Navajo.

• Key Visual Elements:
  • Setting: Seated on a sandstone rock beside an ancient bristle-cone pine tree, symbolizing wisdom and endurance.
  • Mirror: Symbolizes perspective, hindsight, and learning from experience.
  • Copper Bracelet: Shaped like a snake, representing trials and the application of wisdom in decision-making.
  • Chipmunk: Represents prudence and preparedness for the future.
  • Wolf: Symbolizes the keystone role of prudence in economic stability, paralleling the wolf's ecological importance.
  • Bryce Canyon National Park: Features the Natural Bridge formation with Canada geese flying in formation, emphasizing nature and community.
• Quote:

  "Deal Prudently" appears as a guiding principle in the artwork.

This piece reflects prudence as foundational to other virtues, emphasizing preparation, wisdom, and perspective.

• Depiction of Veritas (Truth):
  • Represents a Utah pioneer, symbolizing the 1847 migration to the Salt Lake Valley.
  • Holds a lantern to symbolize truth shedding light on life’s uncertainties.
  • Apron pocket contains a compass pointing West, signifying truth as a moral guide and the settlers' migration westward.
  • Holds two books labeled “Judah” (Bible) and “Joseph” (Book of Mormon), highlighting their importance to Utah pioneers' faith and pursuit of religious freedom.
• Symbolic Background Elements:
  • Pool and waterfall symbolize the necessity of truth, like fresh water.
  • Deer, representing a messenger of truth, drinks from the pool.
  • A fish in the stream references Roman symbolism of truth.
  • A massive cottonwood tree and an eagle overhead represent stability and freedom enabling truth to thrive.
  • The North Star shines as a symbol of truth’s constancy, even when obscured.
• Footing and Barefoot Representation:
  • Footing inscription: “Walk in Truth.”
  • Barefoot depiction reflects the difficulty of following truth but emphasizes the rewarding destination it leads to.

• Virtue and Setting:
  • Justitia (Justice) is depicted in southern Utah, with iconic red cliffs and Balancing Rock in the background.
  • She is dressed in settlers' Sunday best attire, reflecting the time shortly after Utah's settlement.
• Traditional Symbols of Justice:
  • Blindfold: Represents impartiality.
  • Two-edged sword: Symbolizes the decisiveness and fairness of justice, encompassing both punishment and blessings.
  • Scales: Represents balance and fairness. Includes a cross, heart, and anchor to signify faith, hope, and charity as integral to justice.
  • Footing: Reads “Judge Righteously.”
• Historical and Natural Symbolism:
  • Seagull with a cricket: References the miraculous event where seagulls saved settlers’ crops by eating swarming crickets.
  • Desert storm: Represents the divine blessing of rain that ended a drought after settlers’ fasting and prayer.
  • Both events highlight justice's merciful and protective aspects.
• Additional Symbolism:
  • Sage hen with twelve chicks: Represents mercy and protection, drawing from biblical imagery.
  • These elements collectively nod to justice's dual nature of accountability and blessings.

• Design: The 25 Goldback features the Lady Virtue Victoria (Victory), celebrating women's rights to vote.
• Historical Context:
  • The design commemorates Utah's history, as it was the first state where a woman, Seraph Young, cast a vote in 1870.
  • Utah became a state with women already voting, while Wyoming granted suffrage a few months earlier.
• Symbolism:
  • Victoria holds a banner reading "Votes Counting Since 1870."
  • The design highlights women’s firsts in Utah, such as women teaching from the pulpit and Martha Hughes Cannon becoming the first woman state senator in 1911.
• Accompaniment:
  • Victoria is shown with a child, symbolizing the role of women in raising future generations and teaching truth.
  • The child carries a branch, symbolizing future stewardship of victories.
• Message: The design encourages viewers to "Go on to Victory."
• Backdrop: The mountain view from Alpine, Utah appears in the background.
• Additional Symbols:
  • A Chi-Rho Greek symbol on the flag represents Christ's help in the suffrage movement.
  • Victoria holds bundled wheat, symbolizing small victories adding up to larger achievements.
  • A falcon soars behind her, representing faithful actions and hope.
• Path & Surroundings:
  • The straight path with a stone wall represents building good things step by step.
  • Aspen trees represent interconnectedness and the importance of women in the human family's heritage.

• Libertas (Liberty) is the culmination of the Utah Goldback series.
• Depiction: Libertas is portrayed as a perfected, angelic woman who has fully embraced liberty in her life.
• Symbols:
  • Torch in her right hand represents enlightenment.
  • Overflowing cup in her left symbolizes the blood of Christ and divine liberty.
  • Sheathed sword and shield represent the need to defend and fight for liberty.
  • Shield includes the year 1847 (year Utah was settled) and the name Deseret, symbolizing hard work and sacrifice for liberty.
  • Honey bee nest on the shield nods to Utah's heritage and the work needed to protect freedom.
• Flanking animals: A mountain lion and a lamb symbolize peace through liberty, inspired by Isaiah 11:6 (lion laying down with the lamb).
• Setting:
  • Surrounded by Utah's natural symbols: blue spruce (state tree), sego lily (state flower), and Bear Lake (known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies”).
  • The sun rising behind her represents enlightenment and divine blessings leading to perfection.
• Admonition: The phrase “Stand Fast in Liberty” appears at her feet.