Unique Challenges of Mormon Artists

     As Mormon artists, there are unique challenges that are placed before our paths. One of the most unique challenge is holding on to the iron rod while holding on to our art. We need to be especially careful to express ourselves, get messages across, have people feel something all the while holding on to our values regardless of the values of the world. Some may say that that is a difficult task to accomplish. To some it may legitimately be so and for others it may not be. I believe that there is no gray line in this gospel. I either stand on the black or the white side. I choose to stand on either side. 

     Everything I do either brings me closer to Heavenly Father or farther away. By saying those words another unique challenge is invited to the party, the challenge of choosing what to set our hearts on. This means, as Mormon artists, will we choose to have our hearts set on putting Heavenly Father first or will we choose to have our hearts set on putting our art first? If we place our hearts on putting our art first we mistakably put ourselves in an area of danger subject to slip and take us farther away from where we as children of God are supposed to be. However, if we set our hearts on putting Heavenly Father first, then we are safer and our art can then come into the picture. 

     It is so profound to me that God is the ultimate creator. As artists, we can be like Him through our creations (if they can even be called ours). With that the unique challenge of using the creativity that Heavenly Father has given us in a way that would be pleasing to Heavenly Father is another challenge that we face as Mormon artists. However, if we place our trust and faith in God and ask Him for help, I’m positive He can and will help us through that challenge. We can find compelling stories of light all around us. 

     The very first place is the gospel. The stories of the scriptures have compelling light to all that read of them and even more to all that understand them. We find stories in church magazines, the lives of our prophets, apostles, and leaders of the church. We find them among each other. Anywhere we look we can find compelling stories of light, including the nature around us, an act of kindness that we witness, and in the lives of children. Compelling stories of light are all around us and I think that if we so choose to put Heavenly Father first, our eyes will be opened to recognize those stories whereas otherwise we may be blinded by them.