Lia 1 Elise Lia Professor Edwin Austin DANCE 261 7 October 2013

LDS Values and the Dance Artist As Latter-day Saints, we are commanded to praise the Lord with singing, with music, [and] with dancing (D&C 136:28). Modern-day prophets and apostles teach us important values and virtues, many of which are applicable to the performing arts. Although society seems to become increasingly wicked and it appears more difficult to uphold these ethical and spiritual values, we can continue to use the beautiful art form of dance to express our views of our bodily temple, being creative, centering our living in Christ, and having the Holy Spirit with us.

OUR BODY IS A TEMPLE Martha Graham, a well-known modern dancer, believed that the instrument through which the dance speaks is also the instrument through which life is livedthe human body. Many dancers would agree that the reason they choose to express themselves through this form of art is because they are using their physical bodies to portray an idea, emotion, and/or statement. In the Latter-day Saint perspective, we believe our body to be a temple of our very own and we covenant that we will not let us be desecrated or defaced in any way (Nelson). How, as a Latter-day Saint artist, can we use our body to express through dance while still respecting it as a temple? The world

Lia 2 would have us use our bodies to portray sexuality or immoral ideas through dance; to misuse our bodies to conform to the ideas that society deems as appropriate and popular. It is important, however, to always remember that your body, whatever its natural gifts, is a magnificent creation of God [and] a study of your body attests to its divine design (Nelson).

BE CREATIVE Believing that our bodies are temples does not quell or hinder our ability to show our creativity. In contrast, knowing our divine heritage encourages us to develop the God-like attribute of creativity. Knowing this truth spurs us to share the beauty of our physical body which God has given us. Latter-day saints believe that creative works are a special expression, a more excellent way, of showing [our love of God] (Maxwell). True creativity shows our capacity to use our spiritual and physical body to produce something in a new way and share new ideas and thoughts. We are children of God and were created in His image and use art, in its various forms, to show the divine nature we have as Gods children. K. Newell Dayley explains it well when he says, The creative flame that ignites artistic creation has its origin in the light which is in all things. We celebrate God and His truths through being creative and acknowledge the beauty that is in the universe. Creativity is a highly personal experience in which we are grateful to the Lord for helping us to see the beauty and truth and the order of things [and] is intrinsically satisfying (Maxwell). It is important to use the arts in a positive manner; to show our gratitude and understand our own creation and the creation of the world around us.

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HAVE THE SPIRIT WITH US Although we have this idea to express beauty and creativity through art, particularly dance, it is important to keep in mind certain principles and values that will help us stay within this Latter-day Saint perspective. We have learned as youth, through principles explained in the For the Strength of Youth, that entertainment, specifically music and dance, should be closely monitored to ensure that we can always have the spirit of the Lord with us. Elder David A. Bednar, in his April 2006 talk, counseled that if that which is intended to entertain alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. We should always do that which will help us recognize and respond to the promptings of the spirit as they come to us. If we are doing things that do not invite the spirit, it is hard to know if we are in a good state, physically and spiritually. As a dancer this is extremely important. One of our goals as dancers and choreographers is to invite the audience to feel the emotion and spirit we are trying to convey through a movement. This is not possible if we are not performing or creating something that allows the spirit to dwell within us. It is important to remember, through expressing our creativity, that the greater our sensitivity to the Spirit, the greater our response to beauty, grace, and truth in all forms (Maxwell).

CENTER OUR LIVES ON CHRIST The other virtues we as Latter-day Saints uphold may seem numerous and hard to obtain to those who are not familiar with the Gospel. Remembering to be honest, trustworthy, righteous, dependable, truthful, kind, just, merciful, and loving may seem

Lia 4 overwhelming at times. As an artist, it may seem impossible to portray all of these positive values through one dance piece or sculpture. However, if we simply center our lives on Christ and try to emulate Him, we will be able to obtain all of these important values. Art that is centered in Christ invites the Holy Ghost to be present during its creation and, again, as it is experienced by others in performance, exhibition, or publication (Dayley). Through Christ we will learn to see, hear, and move with greater understanding and will be able to nuture our greatest capacity. The light of Christ must be present and [touch] every aspect of our liveseverything we say, every thought and desire (Tanner). We must be willing to give up the idols of the world and must abide by the principles taught by our prophets and apostles. Just as a career in the performing arts requires diligence, commitment, and sacrifice, we must be able to give all we can to the Lord and receive His spirit to be able to achive our potential. We must always remember the role Christ has in our lives and creative ability. His light gives life to our creative potential. His love impels us to creative action. Art iteself appears because there is a spark of the divine nature in Gods children (Dayley).

Lia 5 Work Cited Bednar, David A. I Will Not Remove Mine Integrity from Me. BYU-Idaho Devotional. BYU-Idaho Center, Rexburg, Idaho. 10 September 2002. Devotional Address. ---. That We May Always Have His Spirit To Be With Us. General Conference. Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. 1 April 2006. Address Dayley, K. Newell. Centering the Arts in Christ. BYU Devotional. BYU Marriott Center, Provo, Utah. 6 March 2001. Devotional Address. Graham, Martha. I Am a Dancer. This I Believe 1952. Print. Maxwell, Neal A. Creativity. New Era August 1982. Print. Nelson, Russell M. We Are Children of God. General Conference. Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. 4 October 1998. Address. Tanner, N. Eldon. Integrity. General Conference. Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. 2 April 1977. Address. The Doctrine and Covenants. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1989. Print. Uchtdorf, Dieter F. What is Truth? CES Devotional. BYU Marriott Center, Provo, Utah. 13 January 2013. Devotional Address.