Você está na página 1de 4

Norton 1 Lacie Norton Ed Austin Dance Seminar 25 February 2013 Prophets Perspective on Dance What does a Prophet of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints say about the art of dance? Well, there are several different concepts that many prophets have discussed, but each prophet agrees all the facets of dance, or any form of activity, should be centered on our Lord Jesus Christ. Elder K. Newell Dayley writes, in Centering the Arts in Christ, through the arts we can learn to see, hear, move, and feel with greater sensitivity and understandingart centered in Christ immerses us in joy. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we believe Jesus Christ to be our savior, redeemer, and eternal example. According to the prophets Jesus Christ is the ultimate creator, the greatest example of integrity, and of truth by which all decisions in dance should follow. Creativity Creation and the process of creating are evident in every aspect of the dance world. If we are practicing being creators why not be guided by the example of Christ in His creation of this earth? Ponder at the magnificent earth and the beauty of each creation on it: the flowers, animals, trees, humans, and the ability to survive in this world. Just like Jesus Christ was given the ability to create the world, we are also given the gift of creativity. As dancers we are given the ability to create art through the movement of our bodies. In order to create art in the example of Christ that inspires we need to study body. If Elder Russel M. Nelson states a study of our body attests to its divine design, then what better way to worship the creation of the body than through dance.

Norton 2 The Lord blessed everyone with a beautiful body and He wants us to fulfill our greatest potential with our bodies on earth. We can take inspiration from the world the Lord has created to guide our creative abilities. Elder Maxwell says why try to be original when you can strive for quality and excellence. Christ did not create any portion of this earth without great contemplation and hard work to ensure sure every detail was absolutely excellent. Christ wants us to create things just as excellent meaning a dancer cannot reach inspiration without perspiration. A dancer must work just as hard as Christ through the process of creation to create the unoriginal excellence we are capable of (Maxwell). Integrity The dance world is becoming more liberal and many of the liberal ideals are not cohesive with the standards of the gospel. One way to keep those standards while still participating in the dance world is to keep integrity. Integrity is another principle the prophets teach everyone to keep close to survive the temptation of Satan. Elder Bednar explains, we cannot rely on other people to make us honest; we have to choose for ourselves and be people of integrity on our own. Integrity is one principle I must graduate with otherwise I will have failed myself and all the tithe payers that aid my finances through school. It would not be right to graduate and start my career as a dancer and lie to the other dancers or my director or cheat any of them out of something. The prophets teach us to be men and women of integrity, because that is who Christ is, a man of integrity and our greatest example. Truth In the life after my collage years I am going to fight for truth every step of the way. I have become accustomed to living and working with people that have aided my ability to keep my life in the truth. However, there is a vast sea of lies away from the BYU atmosphere. I need

Norton 3 to keep my mind on the right track of truth. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a talk on the meaning of truth and says truth is often misinterpreted. Sometimes it is easy see a lie as a truth and a truth as a lie, but there is such a thing as absolute truth even if nobody believes it. What is truth?, that is the question President Dieter F. Uchtdorf answers, but how do you find truth in dance. Dance is comprised of so many things a stage, music, dancers, movement, costumes, make up. Any of these can be full of truth or the opposite lies and most people may not be able to see the difference. The standard of the Lord is the truth to go by and not what the world perceives as true. Everyone is ingrained with an ability discern right from wrong and dance is where this skill is needed. I know that I should not wear a reveling costume, dance to provocative music, or portray an inappropriate message through movement. All these truths have been taught to me by the prophets through their words on modesty, commandments, and teachings of what is right or wrong in the Lords eyes. Christ is the greatest example of truth in both person and action. He is the one to turn to for any discrepancies in dance. If there is a question He can answer it for he is the truth, the light, and the life of this world. My Testimony The world is continually degrading its standard of righteousness. This makes it harder to live the right way, but I as a dancer must be prepared to fight for what is right. The right way is paved with the words of the prophets that will guide my life as I venture out into the dance world. These words on creativity, integrity, and truth spoken by the prophets are prophetic priorities, things the Lord is concerned about. As a dancer I need to follow the words of the prophets and live as Jesus Christ did doing what the Lord wants me to do to bless the world of dance. Works Cited

Norton 4 Bednar, David A. Be Honest. New Era. Oct. 2005. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. Maxwell, Neal A. Creativity. New Era. Aug. 1982. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. Nelson, Russell M. We Are Children of God. General Conference. Oct. 1998. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. Tanner, Eldon N. Integrity. Ensign. Apr. 1977: Web. 18 Feb. 2013. Uchtdorf, Dieter F. What is Truth. CES devotional. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

Você também pode gostar