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Figurative or landscape? What is the place for abstract art in the gospel? What is the role of symbolism for the artist? Should religious intent be obvious and direct? Subtle? Sentimental? Emotional? Sophisticated? Intellectual?
What is the appropriate place for the human figure in gospel art? What about modesty? (think Cistine chapel, or the practice of academic figurative study).
Below you find a list of resources and scriptures that we've put together. It's definitely a work in progress, feel free to send me links or scripture ideas as you find them!
Some classic LDS gospel art addresses:
The Gospel Vision of the Arts President Spencer W. Kimball, 1977
The Arts and Spirit of the Lord Elder Boyd K. Packer, 1976
The Lord's Purpose for the Artist in the Gospel Plan Elder M. Russell Ballard, 1995
"Home Literature" - Speech given in 1888 by Orson F. Whitney (Bishop at the time, later an Apostle). "We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own. God's ammunition is not exhausted. His brightest spirits are held in reserve for the latter times."
Other resources:
Art in Mormonism - entry from the Encyclopedia of Mormonism - there's also a full set of links to other sources here.
Thoughts on Pres. Kimball's address - a very interesting blog post by Top LDS Artist J. Kirk Richards
Sunset in Arcadia - an excellent post by Anneke Majors discussing problems of sentimentality, and the difference between realism vs. illusionism
Mormon Fine Art and Graven Images - another great post by Anneke Majors
Proceedings of the Mormon Arts Symposium, held in 1995 at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts - several talks and insights shared here. Elder Ballard's talk above was delivered here.
Where are the Great Mormon Artists? - A documentary film, and lots of insightful comments posted to this discussion.
mormonartist.net - an excellent and important online magazine, interviews, articles and thoughts on art and Mormonism
What does an LDS renaissance look like? - excellent article by Robert Hall
Centering the Arts in Christ - BYU devotional address by by K. Newell Dayley, dean of the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications, 6 March 2001
Art, Belief, Meaning: The Arts and the Restored Gospel - "Students and scholars at Brigham Young University discuss art in our theology in this new publication... The articles in this volume come from the proceedings of the 2003 Art, Belief, and Meaning symposium."
Quote from President Ezra Taft Benson: "I have a vision of artists putting into film, drama, literature, music, and paintings great themes and great characters from the Book of Mormon." Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon, Ensign, Nov. 1988, 4, 5–6.
The True, the Good and the Beautiful - Lecture by Roger Scruton at the Wheatley Institute in Utah (video). Dr. Scruton is a British scholar and philosopher, not LDS, but this address was given to a mostly Mormon audience in Utah in April 2017.
Religious Symbolism in Sacred Art - FairMormon podcast interview with Rita Wright, "Rita Wright is the curator for the Springville Museum of Art in Springfield, Utah. Formerly, she taught art at Brigham Young University and was the curator for the LDS Church History Museum. Currently she sits on the worldwide committee for art selection for the LDS Church."
Thoughts on Mormon Art - I can't tell who wrote these articles but they are quite good. It is someone well-connected in Mormon art circles and the church. Interesting article here about the LDS Temple Art committee and the process of how art is chosen for temples. Also a couple other good articles about how Christ is portrayed, and the lack of Mormon art patrons.
Problems & Challenges with Producing Historically Accurate Church Art
Mormonism and History / Accuracy of Church Art. Several questions and answers (and examples) around the problem of accuracy in historical church art and illustration are discussed in this FairMormon article.
Should LDS Church art coincide with the facts? Article written on the site "Mormonism Research Ministry" by Eric Johnson
Mormon Illustration and the Burden of History - by M. Haycock, 2017
Creativity
How will Our Children Remember Us - Elder Robert D. Hales speaks about his father, a commercial artist, and of how the creative process involves the spirit of God.
Channeling Your Creativity - Elder Hales speaks about living creatively - he is specifically talking about creating solutions to life's problems & thinking creatively, but still relates.
Create - Mormon messages video "President Dieter F. Uchtdorf invites us to rely on the Spirit and use our divinely inherited ability to create things of substance and beauty."
Happiness, Your Heritage - Elder Uchtdorf speaks to the sisters about attaining happiness - one of his main points is that we need to use our talents to create things of beauty. (I assume this applies to men as well).
Creativity - Elder Neal A. Maxwell, 1982. "Artistic and creative expressions that occur in conformity with reality and with the sublime and eternal truths help to deliver on that marvelous promise that “men are that they might have joy” and help us to “have [life] more abundantly” by showing us “a more excellent way”...
We are Creators - Mary Ellen Smoot, Apr 2000. General conference address to the sisters.
Finding Joy in Life - Richard G. Scott, April 1996.
"Attempt to be creative for the joy it brings. After their noble husbands were called home, Sisters Camilla Kimball, Amelia McConkie, and Helen Richards learned to paint. They not only leave legacies of art, but they will never see a sunset, a face, or a tree the same again. They now perceive subtle nuances of color and form and rejoice in the abounding beauty around them.
Select something like music, dance, sculpture, or poetry. Being creative will help you enjoy life. It engenders a spirit of gratitude. It develops latent talent, sharpens your capacity to reason, to act, and to find purpose in life. It dispels loneliness and heartache. It gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, and zest for life.".
"Where do we find our greatest joy? I suggest that it is in creativity — the process and feeling of creating something." - Elder Oaks, at BYU commencement ceremony, August 2015.
Talents
Seek Learning - President Gordon B. Hinckley, 2007. "The Lord wants you to train your minds and hands to become an influence for good as you go forward with your lives. And as you do so and as you perform honorably and with excellence, you will bring honor to the Church, for you will be regarded as a man or woman of integrity and ability and conscientious workmanship. In addition, your education will strengthen your service in the Church."
Gospel Principles chapter 34, Developing our Talents - "We have a responsibility to develop the talents we have been given. Sometimes we think we do not have many talents or that other people have been blessed with more abilities than we possess. Sometimes we do not use our talents because we are afraid that we might fail or be criticized by others. We should not hide our talents. We should use them. Then others can see our good works and glorify our Heavenly Father (see Matthew 5:16)."
Three Gates Only You can Open - Pres. Thomas Monson, 2001. "Remember, one of the saddest things in life, is wasted talent." - From a talk at Ricks College.
We should be willing to "consecrate our time, talents, and resources to building the kingdom of God" (Acting on the Truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, President Uchtdorf).
"We can even make the mistake of thinking that because someone is different from us, it must mean they are not pleasing to God. This line of thinking leads some to believe that the Church wants to create every member from a single mold—that each one should look, feel, think, and behave like every other. This would contradict the genius of God, who created every man different from his brother, every son different from his father... As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are united in our testimony of the restored gospel and our commitment to keep God’s commandments. But we are diverse in our cultural, social, and political preferences.
The Church thrives when we take advantage of this diversity and encourage each other to develop and use our talents to lift and strengthen our fellow disciples. (Pres. Uchtdorf, Four Titles, Gen. Conference Apr 2013)
I Have a Work for Thee - 2017 Apr. Gen Conference address by Elder John Pingree. "Our Heavenly Father has specific and significant things for you and me to accomplish (see Ephesians 2:10). These divine assignments are not reserved for a privileged few but are for all of us—regardless of gender, age, race, nationality, income level, social status, or Church calling. Every one of us has a meaningful role to play in furthering God’s work (see Moses 1:39). Some of us question whether Heavenly Father can use us to make important contributions. But remember, He has always used ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things...
"...discover and develop spiritual gifts. Heavenly Father gave us these gifts to help us identify, perform, and enjoy the work He has for us. Some of us wonder, “Do I have any gifts?” Again, the answer is yes! “To every man [and woman] is given a gift by the Spirit of God … that all may be profited thereby” (D&C 46:11–12)... One young man produced illustrations to promote religious values. My favorite is a portrait of the Savior, a copy of which hangs in our home. This brother developed and used his artistic gifts. Working through him, Heavenly Father has inspired others to improve their discipleship."
General Inspiration:
'Each of us should remember that he or she is a son or daughter of God, endowed with faith, gifted with courage, and guided by prayer. Our eternal destiny is before us. The Apostle Paul speaks to us today as he spoke to Timothy long years ago. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee" (1 Timothy 4:14). "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust" (1 Timothy 6:20).
"At times many of us let that enemy of achievement — even the culprit "self-defeat" — dwarf our aspirations, smother our dreams, cloud our visions, and impair our lives. The enemy's voice whispers in our ears, "You can't do it." "You're too young." "You're too old." "You're nobody." This is when we remember that we are created in the image of God. Reflection on this truth provides a profound sense of strength and power." -- President Thomas S. Monson