Mormons, The Internet, And The Arts

[langbert]

I recently listened to this Mormon Matter podcast on the changes that are taking place with missionaries taking to the web. It was a very interesting Podcast, but (it seems to me) there's a huge component in all this that most people are missing.

 

Often, when people speak of the Internet, they call it a new medium of democratization. There's a communal power inherent in the medium that goes beyond other kinds of mediums (book, film, music) because of the power of identity and connectivity. Futurists, savants, scholars, etc., have written and talked about this aspect of the web, and the power therein. (I've written about it too in a few places, including here.) Prophets have also written about it, prophetically. Here are just a few examples:

• Elder Ballard talks about the power of the Internet in sharing the gospel.
• Gordon Hinckley portends the invention of "an intimate and personal" technology to facilitate spreading the gospel.
• Spencer Kimball prophesies in 1974 of world conversion and technologies to come.

This is just a sampling. I've always been particularly intrigued with what President Kimball had to say, and I think this is an oft overlooked article—essentially, he's detailing how technology will facilitate the prophecy that the gospel will go to all the world.

 

However, all this said, I think there's a major component to all this that is often overlooked by the members of the Church.

 

Art.

 

Specifically, art as a crucial component of establishing Zion and building up the Kingdom.

 

Without really going into it in great depth, I'd rather just use this as a kicking off point. Have you personally considered how art may play a role in conversion? (There's also a question of identity, culture, and survival as an institution, which I'm not even touching on.) To what extent have you thought about this idea? I'm interested in finding like-minded individuals, as well as understanding the points of view of naysayers.

 

Discuss.

[HiJolly]

As a musical service missionary, I must say the Church has long enjoyed the influence the MoTab brings wherever it goes. The leadership knows it. At temple square, few people enjoy the influence that Choir President Ron Jarrett has.

[langbert]

Just giving this a gentle bump in the hopes that it sees a few more replies.

[EllenMaksoud]

I've just been called as a Technical and Computer Missionary. In trying to understand what their goals are, the Bishop and the Missionary President just said, "Keep doing what you have been doing". This includes activity on FB and several other web sites. This is fairly astonishing since I am not an RM or life long Mormon. I know of two other sisters who have been called to the same thing.  Most of those I know are outside Mormon culture and includes some Muslims. I am using my real name in this Mission.

Edited November 13, 2013 by EllenMaksoud

[Tacenda]

I've just been called as a Technical and Computer Missionary. In trying to understand what their goals are, the Bishop and the Missionary President just said, "Keep doing what you have been doing". This includes activity on FB and several other web sites. This is fairly astonishing since I am not an RM or life long Mormon. I know of two other sisters who have been called to the same thing.  Most of those I know are outside Mormon culture and includes some Muslims. I am using my real name in this Mission.

This gives me hope that I might be able to serve a mission with the Church History Library, even if I don't have a current temple recommend.  What do you think?  Of course I've yet to look into the kind of hours it would require.  I'd like to keep my day job as a school sub too.  Does your mission require a lot of hours?  I'd love to serve in the history of the church dept.  The JSP project was mentioned as something to help with on the church website.     

[EllenMaksoud]

This gives me hope that I might be able to serve a mission with the Church History Library, even if I don't have a current temple recommend.  What do you think?  Of course I've yet to look into the kind of hours it would require.  I'd like to keep my day job as a school sub too.  Does your mission require a lot of hours?  I'd love to serve in the history of the church dept.  The JSP project was mentioned as something to help with on the church website.     

Mine is not an "endowed" Mission, and working with several other endowed Missionaries, at the Bishop's warehouse, this endowment thing seems to be very important to them. Mine is a Ward level mission, and other than "just keep doing what you do" I've had no further instruction. From the Stake level down everyone has been extremely supportive, and constantly engage in the peculiar Mormon custom of member reinforcement. It does have the effect of being entirely encouraging.

 

I think this is part of the new thrust as alluded to at the last conference of increased Mormon presence on the internet. If you think about it, you don't need anyone's "permission" to share what is on your heart. If you know that Heavenly Father exists, and that Jesus Christ is your advocate before Heavenly Father, and that you are to love Heavenly Father and to love one another, then you have the right of it. There just has not been any doubt about Joseph Smith and the BOM, because of my past experiences in Islam. And what could be the most important part of being a Missionary is your testimony of what Heavenly Father has done in your life full stop. So, if you have the previous in your life, you do not need permission to be a Missionary, you just are, and it makes little difference to Heavenly Father if others are not on board yet.

Edited November 16, 2013 by EllenMaksoud

[telnetd]

Most of those I know are outside Mormon culture and includes some Muslims. I am using my real name in this Mission.

 

Let us know how the Muslims react when you teach them

about exaltation.

 

Gail

[EllenMaksoud]

Let us know how the Muslims react when you teach them

about exaltation.

 

Gail

My experience with Islam is limited, not having been outside the United States as Muslim. There are Muslim converts here in America. I am not the only one.

[volgadon]

Without really going into it in great depth, I'd rather just use this as a kicking off point. Have you personally considered how art may play a role in conversion? (There's also a question of identity, culture, and survival as an institution, which I'm not even touching on.) To what extent have you thought about this idea? I'm interested in finding like-minded individuals, as well as understanding the points of view of naysayers.

 

 

I had an intensely spiritual experience at an El Greco exhibitionin London nearly a decade ago.

[BlueDreams]

I'm not sure what to make of the questionnaire. I don't feel like any of them fully catches how I feel about it. 

 

I have plenty of personal experiences that tells me that the arts are at the least, an eternal gift and are often used as a means of building faith and a means of conversion. Music is fairly obvious as a pertinent means to build faith and bring the spirit. I have also seen this happen with other means...such as dance, videos, ets. Here's a cool video that I watched the other day about a man whose art helped to convert him:

 

http://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/infinitely-valued?lang=eng

 

For me, there's my patriarchal blessing and my art. Painting has been both a pleasure and a source of maintaining faith/hope, depending. Most of my paintings haven't been super spiritual. But a number have. One means everything to me. It's sacred to me/for me. Because of my visual/symbolic learning approach, the temple/scriptural symbols seem more accessible and deep....it gives me a different perspective that I enjoy. 

 

The arts are a pertinent means of expression that can be done in a way quite different to simple words. There's an expression that reaches to the quiet inflections of one's soul, that pulls out something deep within oneself and motivates greater contemplation. So of course it is a powerful tool for conversion.

 

With luv,

BD