The Sacred Gardens Foundation

Cache Valley, Utah  ·  In planning

A garden drawn from the Great Plan.

Explore the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Great Plan of Happiness through art and nature: winding paths, quiet fountains and bronze sculptures that tell the stories of the scriptures.

Help plant the garden Walk the plan
  1. IOur Mission
  2. IIThe Plan
  3. IIISeasons in the Garden
  4. IVThe Hands Behind It
  5. VHelp Plant the Garden
Watercolor concept rendering of a gravel garden path with stepping stones winding past lilies, lavender and a stone fountain toward a bronze sculpture in a hedge alcove, mountains beyond Lily beds Fountain court Bronze alcove Stepping-stone walk
Concept study 01  ·  The garden walk
Bronze sculpture of a kneeling figure looking heavenward
Bronze study  ·  Faith-building stories

I Our Mission

To build faith in Jesus Christ and His love for all people.

The Sacred Gardens Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation organized in 2017 to build faith in Jesus Christ and increase awareness of His love for all people, as illustrated in the sacred writings of His prophets and recorded in the scriptures.

From the creation of the earth to our present day, the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Great Plan of Happiness is designed for the union and exaltation of families. The Sacred Gardens will hold beautiful landscaping, sculptures depicting faith-building stories from the scriptures, and quiet, serene spaces for pondering the purposes of life.

Organized
2017
Status
501(c)(3)
Site
Cache Valley

II The Plan

What we’re planting.

Plans for the Sacred Gardens in Cache Valley are well underway, with features that will bless the whole community. Tap a marker to explore the drawing.

Watercolor master site plan of the gardens showing winding paths, a central fountain, reflecting pool, amphitheatre, sculpture studio with observatory, wedding lawn and visitor buildings
Master plan  ·  Concept, not to scale
  1. 1

    Walking paths & fountains

    Winding paths with fountains and water features, and plenty of quiet, serene places to sit.

  2. 2

    Botanical gardens

    Beautifully landscaped gardens with seasonal events, like a Christmas lighting ceremony.

  3. 3

    Bronze sculptures

    Faith-building sculptures with digital media, so you can hear the story behind each work.

  4. 4

    Sculpting classroom

    Hands-on sculpting with professional sculptors for tour groups, field trips and the public.

  5. 5

    Observatory

    A gallery overlooking the sculptors at work.

  6. 6

    Amphitheatre

    A new community stage for music, theatre, speakers and devotionals.

  7. 7

    Weddings & receptions

    A garden lawn and pergola for life’s sacred beginnings.

  8. 8

    Restaurant & gift shop

    Concessions, a restaurant and a gift shop, and much more.

III Seasons in the Garden

A place to gather, all year long.

Concept studies of the moments we’re planning for: summer evenings on the hillside, children with clay on their hands, and the first lights of Christmas.

Watercolor concept of a stone amphitheatre on a hillside at dusk with musicians on a rose-framed stage
Study 02

The amphitheatre at dusk

Concerts, plays and devotionals under the open sky.

Watercolor concept of a sculptor demonstrating to students in a bright studio classroom beside a marble Good Shepherd carrying a lamb on his shoulders
Study 03

The sculpting classroom

Learn from professional sculptors, hands in the clay.

Watercolor concept of the garden on a snowy evening with trees wrapped in lights and a bronze nativity
Study 04

Christmas lighting

A winter tradition for Cache Valley families.

Watercolor concept of a garden wedding lawn with a rose-draped pergola and white chairs
Study 05

Weddings & receptions

A garden setting for the beginning of a family.

IV The Hands Behind It

Planted by a family, shaped by an artist.

Marvin and Louise John, founders of The Sacred Gardens Foundation

The Founders

Marvin & Louise John

Marvin and Louise John founded The Sacred Gardens Foundation. Marvin graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, earned a Master of Education in Instructional Science from Brigham Young University, and pursued a career teaching religion. Louise graduated from Utah State University in home economics. Together they raised a family of six children.

“Our love for the arts and our Creator have inspired us to leave the world a better place. We believe the gardens will bless visitors for generations to come.”

Jeff John sculpting a clay figure in the studio Portrait of sculptor Jeff John

Head Sculptor

Jeff John

Jeff John is head sculptor for The Sacred Gardens Foundation. His fine-art sculpture spans every scale, from life-size commissions, such as a bloodhound in show pose for the President of the American Bloodhound Association, down to miniatures, such as Victor Buono as King Tut for the 1960s Batman television series.

Jeff also enjoyed a long career as an automotive sculptor for General Motors, sculpting life-size and one-third-scale vehicles in clay, and was selected to sculpt the bust of a former GM Vice President of Design now on display at the GM Design Center in Warren, Michigan. He holds degrees in traditional sculpture from Utah State University and in 3D modeling and animation from Ringling College of Art & Design.

V Help Plant the Garden

Every garden begins with a single seed.

Make a donation and your name will be listed with the level you gave. Gifts to The Sacred Gardens Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, help turn these drawings into paths, fountains and bronze.

Pledge a gift or Venmo @sacredgardens
MarkLevelGift

Friend

◦Initiator$1 – $99
◦Helper$100 – $999
◦Supporter$1,000 – $9,999

Believer

❧Follower$10,000 – $39,999
❧Admirer$40,000 – $159,999
❧Scene$160,000 – $299,999

Legacy

✿Endowment$300,000 – $499,999
✿Sponsor$500,000 – $999,999
✿Benefactor$1 Million +

With gratitude to our donors

Supporter $1,000 – $9,999

  • Marvin & Louise John

Helper $100 – $999

  • Stanley & Eileen Sheen
  • Kent & Lois Brough
  • Olson & Hoggan, P.C.
  • Cook Martin Poulson, P.C.
  • Jeff & Sarah John
  • Skip & Leona Chandler
  • Campbell Scientific
  • JB Accounting
  • Josh & Carrie Kirk

Initiator $1 – $99

  • Anonymous
  • Greg & Jen Morrison
  • LaVelle Holmes
  • Lion Rock Real Estate
  • William & Melinda Archibald

Contact

Walk with us a while.

Questions about the gardens, a gift, or how you can help? Send us a note and a member of the foundation will be in touch.

Stepping-stone path through beds of pink and red tulips under blossoming trees

Send a note