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Oct. 7 2013 What Kind of Artist Modern day prophets give counsel to the world on all things of importance. Ancient scripture also counsels us in overlying principles, which, when applied to our specific areas of expertise can make us masters of our field. Dance and other arts are sometimes perceived as accessory endeavors, not fit to be a persons life work; this is simply due to a lack of understanding. In this paper we will examine living scripture and how it promotes and directs the arts for the good of the individual and of the world. We begin with a story told by N. Eldon Tanner in April 1977: A story is told of an English farmer at work one day in his fields when he saw a party of huntsmen riding about his farm. Concerned that they might ride into a field where the crop could be damaged by the tramp of horses, he sent one of his workmen to shut the gate and then keep watch over it and on no account to open it. He had scarcely arrived at his post when the hunters came up and ordered that the gate be opened. He declined to do so, stating the orders he had received, and steadfastly refused to open the gate in spite of the threats and bribes as one after another of the hunters came forward. Then one of the riders came up and said in commanding tones, My boy, do you know me? I am the Duke of Wellington, one not accustomed to being disobeyed, and I command you to open that gate, that I and my friends may pass through. The boy lifted his hat, and before the man whom all England delighted to honor, answered firmly, I am sure the Duke of Wellington would not wish me to disobey orders. I must keep this gate shut, nor suffer anyone to pass but by my masters express permission.

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Greatly pleased, the duke lifted his own hat and said, I honor the man or boy who can be neither bribed or frightened into doing wrong. With an army of such soldiers, I could conquer not only the French, but the world. This story is symbolic of covenants made by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am reminded that I made promises to my Heavenly Father before I came to this gate that I now stand guarding. I stand here for all that is good and right, and I dance for all that is good and right. At times, I may need to say no to those attempting to cross the bounds Father set. I must remember that the most valuable servant is one who will not give in to those who come riding up on their horses of confidence and power. The master may have put me here now for the very purpose that is most questioned and resisted by others, and probably the hardest to defend (artists who love truth and light experience much opposition in a world full of darkness and deceit). Just as the servant in the story remembered his masters charge, and put its importance over the dukes command- we must remember the Masters charge, and put it over admonitions of those dukes whom we encounter (Tanner, web pg.). At times I have asked this question in relation to gifts of God given to us (such as dancing): How do we keep the promises made in the pre-existence while having this veil over our minds? Elder Bednar of the quorum of the twelve apostles connects baptismal covenants to our work as artists. There is no point in doing this work unless we have the Spirit of God with us. I want my lifes work to be in wisdoms paths and that requires the Spirit of God. We should also endeavor to discern when we withdraw [ourselves] from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in [us] to guide [us] in wisdoms paths that [we] may be blessed, prospered, and preserved (Mosiah 2:36). Precisely because the promised

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blessing is that we may always have His Spirit to be with us, we should attend to and learn from the choices and influences that separate us from the Holy Spirit. The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us. Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us. The first time we covenanted with God on earth was at baptism; as soon as we promised to always remember Him he gave us the means to do so by the gift of the Holy Ghost. As soon as we became accountable we also became enlightened. There is a connection between baptism and the promises we made before. The Spirits companionship that comes with a covenant now, is what teaches us what we need to do to fulfill the covenants we made before. As we keep our baptismal covenants we are keeping promises from the pre-existence. As we always have the Spirit to be with us we will do what is necessary to bless the world through the work in our fields (Bednar web pg.). Joseph Smith was a prophet who fulfilled on this earth, what he was foreordained to do in the pre-earth life. In this scripture he recounts the experience that began the restoration on the gospel of Jesus Christ: I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart:

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Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation. (JSH 1:25.) I, like Joseph have a testimony of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Joseph knew it was necessary for him to tell the truth that he knew. It is also necessary for me to share the truth that I have. Joseph testified of the reality of Jesus Christ and that He was here on the earth. I must testify that Christ is still involved in the affairs of the earth. I must do it by giving people the opportunity to feel His Holy Spirit. Joseph boldly told his story to a world that did not know they needed to hear it. I am the kind of artist who will reflect the light of Christ to a world that does not comprehend they are without it. The work I do in this field will always be a medium of sharing my bold testimony. Joseph said who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? As an artist in this darkening world, I will not form to the image that is expected as the norm. I will not go into the field to fit in with all the other work that is happening. In fact, my sole purpose for even choosing to be out there is to be different in a way that will catch the eyes of those needing truth. I will not work in my field to make my name big. I am living to spread Christs name and reflect his light (JSH 1:25). As my body is the medium for my spirit to speak, my spirit will be a medium for Christs light to shine. As Joseph showed; sharing is all about God. He is the reason I have something to share and He is the reason I am accountable to share. I must dance what he would have me share; otherwise, there is no reason to dance.

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Joseph Smith, through revelation, also wrote the Articles of Faith. Since then, many church leaders have quoted the thirteenth when teaching how to be an artist within the light of Christ: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of PaulWe believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (A of F 13). I believe in being honest by participating only in art that supports what I believe to be true and good. I believe in living a virtuous life so that I can share the message of virtue by example. I believe all things; I believe there are other artists who have the same desires I do, I hope all things; I hope in the thought that this world wants the message I have to share. I believe all things: I believe dance is a force for good, and I will seek after the things that are most praiseworthy in the eyes of God, and I hope that others will follow. Neal A. Maxwell spoke on creativity. He continues speaking about some of the principles found in the thirteenth Article of Faith, and gives an example from ancient scripture that also informs the gift of creativity: A creative Frank Lloyd Wright observed, In much of our preparation we dont really know what we are preparing for. We need to trust the Lord as He sculpts and shapes our soul, as did a young man, Enoch. At the time of his call, Enoch observed, I am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech (Moses 6:31). Yet he trusted the Lord and went on to become the greatest city builder in human history. His city-state was the only instance in recorded human history when the righteousness of a people did not relapse. But he began by feeling inadequate and wondering aloud what the Lord had for him to do. Yet, most importantly, he trusted the Lord and aligned himself with the Lord.

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Then his creative genius and gifts were given special expressions, and many were blessed! Elder Maxwell is teaching the artists in this world that trust in God is more relevant to our success than what people believe about an artists job security (or lack of it). Being an artist is like what Enoch did: setting out to build and create things that the world would otherwise do without. Enoch built a city that has never been equaled since. As artists the good things that we are capable of accomplishing are not contributions that anyone else could copy. Also, we have a place in the world that- with constant trust in God- allows us to be facilitators of peace. We must allow God to sculpt us so that our gifts will be expanded through his Spirit. The city of Enoch was a miracle that happened through the creativity of one man aligned with God. The great things we can build with God are so wonderful they have yet to be presented to the world (Maxwell web pg.). Elder Maxwell also said: Since all truth comes from God, when we celebrate truth in creative breakthroughs, whether in new understanding of molecular structure or in the beauty of new sculpture or a new painting or new poetry, we are acknowledging the resplendent order in Gods universe. The world would say that art is not worthwhile as other professions and that it is not as important or respectable as the sciences or math. Elder Maxwell reminds us that both are revered in Gods plan, and one is not higher than the other. As artists we get to be seekers of, and rejoicers in truth (Maxwell, web pg.). Brother K. Newell Dayley, in a speech titled Centering the Arts in Christ discussed the arts being a teaching tool through performance but also in the creating process. He emphasized the importance of noticing the presence or absence of the spirit of God as we are using our creativity to produce new work. The experience of preparing a dance for the stage is a way to

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shape the performers and allow them to learn as well. These words highlight the truth that all parts of the creative process are important to have the guidance of the Holy Ghost (Dayley, web pg.). There is a main theme that is evident in all ancient and modern scripture applying to work in the arts: the gift of the Holy Ghost. All good gifts are through him; therefore we cannot experience the fullness of our gifts without that companionship. The fruit of the spirit is joy and peace. When we sing and dance with His light those gifts are present. We can choose to use the arts as a medium of his light or not. The acts of dancing, singing, painting, poetry, etc. are not, in themselves Gods work. The artist makes the choice as to who they are serving with their gifts. The artist who chooses to work for God will have His spirit to be with them. They must ask for it, and it will not be Gods work without it. The artist who does not invite the spirit of God with their work will chase him away and are serving the adversary- it is a choice.

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Works Cited K. Newell Dayley. Centering the Arts in Christ. Speeches.byu.edu. Brigham Young University. 6 March 2001. Web. 10/03/13.

N. Eldon Tanner. Integrity. www.lds.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. April 1977. Web. Oct 2013.

David A. Bednar. That We May Always Have His Spirit to be With Us. www.lds.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. April 2006. Web. Oct 2013.

Neal A. Maxwell. Creativity. www.lds.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Aug. 1982. Web. Oct. 2013.