I let go of my earthly worries, I put out my fears and just lose myself to the process. My brain never stops working; it’s almost like a cacophony of everything. However, when I am concentrating on creating a piece of artwork I can let go of the static that surrounds me. My creative process is my way of meditating. The world becomes silent and I can hear inspiration more clearly.

And for what it’s worth, I love abstract art so much it hurts.

However, there is definitely a conflict for me between the music I hear in church, which “should” be the ultimate in invoking a sacred experience for me, and the music I’ve studied, which I don’t hear in church, but which does provide for me the profound experiences that touch me most deeply and help me feel closer to God. The music I hear in my ward does nothing for me spiritually. Hymns can move me deeply, but that tends to happen mainly in general conference and not through listening to my ward organist or ward choir stumble through them. Even if I am feeling compassionate and empathetic toward the ward organist or choir director who are truly giving the Widow’s Mite and serving in callings that they might not choose for themselves, it’s still almost impossible for me to just enjoy the music enough to feel the spirit through it.

I hope this isn’t too much of a threadjack!

I was thinking about other forms of art besides visual ones. Music is one mentioned here. That would be composing rather than playing, although instrument repairmen are definitely artists. Literature is certainly an art form. Since all writers are advised to write what they know that would indicate an imitation or perhaps a representation of life.

I know J Ruben Clark didn’t want Bach used in church because of Bach’s Lutheran background. But, A Mighty Fortress is one where the words are by Luther himself and the music sounds a lot like Bach. O Savior Thou That Wearest. . . has music that is also part of the St. Mathew Passion by Bach. They are both in the hymn book.

I agree with your statement that “art can be both a help and a hindrance to our spiritual growth…”

I wonder why, when I give free reign to my gut-level reactions about “art,” I’m so cynical, at least this week… I think that some cynicism is justified, but I can also see the benefit of looking at humankind’s artistic endeavors with more charity and empathy, on the philosophical level.

Maybe deep down I’m questioning my own over-emphasis on love of art in all its many forms, in contrast with my comparatively weak enthusiasm about religion… On my full-time mission, I went through terrible withdrawals for music, literature, and cinema and in fact often illicitly turned back to those art forms because the religious life alone didn’t cut it for me. And I still feel that I’m too subject to the power of “art,” almost to an addicted degree. Sometimes I wonder at what spiritual cost, since producing and consuming art so often displace other pursuits.

I’m sure art can be both a help and a hindrance to our spiritual growth in so many different ways and circumstances.

No, art is not relying on the arm of the flesh unless one makes an artist or his/her work into god and it becomes more important than the serving the true one true God. The it becomes idolatry.

Art itself is neutral. It is how we perceive it and what we use it for that makes it what it is. Not everyone will experience it in the same way.

Then, last night, I was working on a story. My son read over my shoulder and objected to some of the choices I’d made.

“I’m God,” I instantly replied. “I can do whatever I want to them.”

So, yeah, maybe pride’s a tiny bit of an issue for me after all….

real art celebrates and commiserates with humanity, not godliness”

Since humanity is the path to godliness is that such a bad thing? We are human; we can only create what we know. For me the real purpose of art and literature is to tell the truth–whatever that is for us. As Maralise said, doing so will hopefully create empathy.

I loved the defense of fiction found in Reading Lolita in Tehran. Perhaps it could be a good defense of art as well.

That said, it is much easier to apply my perspective to the classics than some of what is called “art” today. I am aware of much that is distasteful and offensive. So I am probably selective about what I would defend.

friendships don’t seem as close because a Mormon’s primary friend is Jesus, so we all rely on Jesus rather than each other, except as Jesus helps us through each other”

I rely intensely on my friends. I believe we are meant to be connected with humanity and that it does bring us closer to Jesus. I also believe these connections will be eternal in nature.

Truth and beauty is highlighted to me through what I believe is the spirit whether I am reading Shakespeare (who, you will find, has even been quoted in General Conference), looking upon a sculpture by Rodin or hearing one of Bach’s cantatas.

Finally, I support the pursuit of excellent and honest Mormon literature. I want to read about Mormons who struggle because I struggle and because being more aware of others helps me have compassion for those whose struggles are different than my own.

Compassion and empathy are God-like qualities that can bring us closer to God as well as to humanity. I think humanity is definitely a stop along the path to God.