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Tristi Pinkston

Representing the Savior on Stage

June 3, 2023 By Tristi Pinkston 1 Comment

Photo from the 2019 Hill Cumorah Pageant.

The theater has been an important part of Latter-day Saint culture from the very beginning. One of the most prominent buildings erected in Nauvoo was the cultural hall, where the Saints would gather to enjoy concerts, plays, and other performing arts that celebrated the life of the Savior and taught other important gospel concepts. Visitors to Nauvoo can still attend events held in the cultural hall to this day, and it’s a marvelous experience.

As Latter-day Saint creators today, we frequently feel a pull to use our talents for the same objective—to honor the Savior and to convey our love for Him to others. I personally feel this is the most important use of our talents, and perhaps even why we were given them in the first place. As with all gifts, however, there are ways to use them appropriately, and this is especially true when it comes to depicting the Savior in our dramatic works.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to serve on the Church’s music and cultural arts committee. We had the task of reading over scripts and musical compositions submitted by Church members to determine whether they were appropriate to be performed within our meetings. This committee no longer exists, but I certainly did enjoy my time there.

As part of our process, we evaluated each piece for the following criteria, which you can use as well in examining your own work.

Is the Savior Depicted on Stage?

Great care should be taken in how we show the Savior in our theatrical productions. We should demonstrate reverence in every respect, including how the actor is costumed and who is chosen to play that role. As per the Church Handbook, the Savior may be portrayed by a man “of wholesome personal character” (Chapter 20: Activities 20.5.6). Additionally, the Primary may portray the Savior in Nativity scenes, but should not depict Heavenly Father or the Holy Ghost (See Chapter 12: Primary 12.5.5).

Is the Savior Quoted Correctly?

While other characters in our play may be fictional and we might use our imaginations to create dialogue for them, the actor portraying the Savior should only speak lines taken directly from the scriptures, without adding anything extra. It’s best to check the script carefully to make sure we have quoted the Savior’s words as accurately as possible. An excellent example is found in the Bible and Book of Mormon videos the Church has produced over the last several years. As I watch them, I feel as though the scriptures have come to life before my eyes, which helps me understand and appreciate them more. Attending a play that reverently features the words of the Savior can likewise be a testimony-building experience.

Is a Testimony of the Savior the Prevailing Message?

If you ever had the opportunity to see the Manti Pageant or the Hill Cumorah Pageant, you’ll remember how those productions made Christ the focus of the story. While they depicted the difficulties experienced by the early Saints (in the case of the Manti Pageant) and the wars between the Lamanites and Nephites (both the Manti Pageant and the Hill Cumorah Pageant), the message was brought back to the hope that Jesus Christ gives to all of us. Depictions of sin, war, and conflict should be kept in careful balance, and the audience should be left with feelings of hope, joy, and reverence.

Our Personal Preparation

I can think of no subject more daunting than writing about the Savior. Because the subject is so immense, no author could truly write something that adequately conveys everything that He is, but this does not mean we shouldn’t try. Again, we were given our talents so that we might share our testimonies with others, and our attempts don’t have to be perfect.

I suggest that as we embark on these projects, we prepare ourselves in the following ways:

  1. Study the life of the Savior and His actual words as found in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.
  2. Look up conference talks and other addresses that focus on the Savior and His mission.
  3. Pray earnestly for inspiration so that we may be guided in what to say and how to present it.
  4. Attend the temple when location and circumstances permit and seek guidance there.
  5. Seek out positive examples of the type of art we wish to create and study them to determine why they are successful in conveying their themes.

The most important element in our preparation is our willingness to humble ourselves and allow the Spirit to teach us how to create. It’s far too easy to let our artistic egos take the upper hand, but when we’re seeking to write something that truly has the power to carry messages to the hearts of our viewers, we should step back and let the Spirit take the lead, for that is the true way people are touched.

Theater is just one medium through which we can teach others about the Savior, but it’s certainly powerful. It not only touches the audience, but the cast as well. When we choose such an uplifting topic and show it the reverence it deserves, the experience can change lives.

A headshot of Tristi Pinkston.

Tristi Pinkston

Tristi Pinkston is the mother of four, the wife of one, the author of one hundred and seventy-five, and the editor of oodles. She serves as the chairman of the board for the Bear Lake Arts Council and participates enthusiastically (if not with utmost skill) in their theatrical productions. She is currently the editor-in-chief for the resource library here on the LDSPMA website. You can learn more about her on her website.

    Filed Under: Articles, Craft Skills, Faith & Mindset, Gospel Principles, Media, Film & Theater Tagged With: acting, Jesus Christ, Theater

    Tips for the Creative Parent

    March 3, 2023 By Tristi Pinkston 2 Comments

    As parents, we want the very best for our children, and we devote a certain amount of time each day to seeing they have what they need. As children of God ourselves, we also feel the heavenly pull to “create something that did not exist before,” as Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us. Creation is a godly attribute, and our participation in the arts is pleasing to our Father in Heaven.

    The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that to everything there is a season, and we may feel that our endeavors need to wait until our children are older. I certainly felt that way when I began my family, but then I was strongly prompted not to ignore my desire to write. It wasn’t easy, but as I learned to juggle my schedule, I was able to balance motherhood and a stay-at-home career, which proved to be necessary as the economy fluctuated.

    Perhaps my experiences can be of use as you seek time to explore your creativity while also raising your family. My thoughts are geared toward writing, but they can be adapted to any artistic endeavor.

    A young mother writes on her computer while balancing a baby on her lap.
    A young mother writes on her computer while balancing a baby on her lap.

    Preparing Meals and Snacks

    While it’s best to prepare foods from scratch when possible, there are times when that’s just not reasonable or feasible. Simple breakfasts like cold cereal will do in a pinch (there are varieties with less sugar). You can also do cheese, crackers, carrot sticks, and lunch meat for lunch. I do try to prepare “actual dinners,” as my daughter puts it, and I do make breakfast and lunch, but on days when I’m seriously writing, I let mealtimes become more casual. Some ideas:

    a. Keep yogurt in your fridge for a quick snack for you or the kids. Yogurt and a banana make a great breakfast, too.

    b. Take a loaf of bread and make it into a whole stack of sandwiches. Then slide the sandwiches back into the bread sack. When someone needs a sandwich, they can just grab one out of the fridge.

    c. Designate one crisper in your fridge to be a “snack drawer.” Fill it up with apples, cheese sticks, yogurt, etc. When your children want a snack, tell them to go get something out of the “snack drawer.” You can do the same thing in your cupboard. Make a basket with pretzels, raisins, crackers, etc. and have that be the special “snack basket.” You can take sandwich bags, break the packages down into serving sizes, and you’re your children they can have one so they don’t run off with the whole box.

    d. Make meals ahead of time and stick them in the freezer.

    e. When I buy a large package of meat, I like to cook it all up, divide it, and then freeze it. That way, when I go to use it, I just warm it through instead of having to both defrost and cook it.

    f. Make tomorrow’s dinner while you’re making tonight’s. Cover it and put it in the fridge, then just throw it in the oven tomorrow night.

    g. Teach your older children how to make sandwiches, warm up soup, prepare drinks, etc. They get a sense of pride in their accomplishments when they are allowed to help make a meal.

    These are all things you can either direct from your desk or will help you spend less time in the kitchen, which equals more time at the computer.

    Entertaining the Troops

    a. There are many questionable streaming services and we need to make careful viewing choices, but there are some wonderful programs that are fun and educational. My kids have learned a lot from shows like CyberChase, Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street, The Magic School Bus, and the like. We also love Veggie Tales, which is based on Bible stories. There’s nothing wrong with turning on the TV and letting your kids watch a positive show while you write—keeping everything in balance, of course.

    b. Get some paper and crayons and let your kids “write” a book of their own while you’re working.

    c. Ask older children to read to the younger ones.

    Simplifying Housework

    a. I have to leave my desk and walk around periodically, so while I’m up, I’ll change out the laundry and put in a load of dishes. Usually by the time I’m done doing that, I’ll be ready to get back to work.

    b. The happiest children are the ones who feel they are valuable in their homes and who have a sense of purpose. When you teach your children to do chores, you are helping them to feel needed. Of course, keep the chores age-appropriate so they aren’t unfair and don’t become overwhelming, and work alongside the child. As you team up to turn a half-hour job into a ten-minute job (freeing up twenty minutes), you’re also drawing closer together.

    c. Reevaluate your thinking about housework. Are there ways you could simplify your routines? Can you put up with toys scattered across the floor for a little while so you can finish your chapter? Is it necessary to have your dishes perfectly stacked all the time? When you’re on a roll with your book, it’s okay to let some things slide until you’re done and catch up later.

    Organizing Your Time

    a. I like to assign certain tasks to certain days of the week. For instance, while I was a Cub Scout leader, Wednesday was Scout Day. After lunch, I’d sit down and review what I needed to do to prepare for the meeting at 4:30. I wasn’t writing during this time, or grocery shopping, or anything else. After the boys left, I’d look at the next week’s meeting. I’d do ahead-of-time prep work, and I’d put needed items on my shopping list. Then I didn’t have to think about it again until the next Wednesday. When I was a representative for a local direct sales company, Tuesday was my prep day for that. Look at your life – are there tasks you can isolate to one day a week?

    b. Create an errand day. I used to run out and do errands several times a week, and I found I was away from home a lot. Now I designate an errand day. This usually coordinates with payday. I’ll pay the bills, and then I’ll go out and do my grocery shopping, trip to the post office, etc. all at once. It makes for about a two or three-hour trip, but it’s better for me to get it done and over with.

    In each of these things, seek the guidance of the Spirit. You will be directed to fun activities for your children and ways to delegate and organize. You’ll find that you’re prompted to know when your children need you most and it’s time to put down your project, and you’ll be led in how to meet their needs most effectively. The Lord will bless your sincere desires to serve Him both as a parent and as a light to others by means of your art.   

    A headshot of Tristi Pinkston.

    About the Contributor

    Tristi Pinkston is the mother of four, the wife of one, the author of one hundred and seventy-five, and the editor of oodles. She serves as the chairman of the board for the Bear Lake Arts Council and participates enthusiastically (if not with utmost skill) in their theatrical productions. She is currently the editor-in-chief for the resource library here on the LDSPMA website. You can learn more about her on her website.

      Filed Under: Articles, Craft Skills, Creativity, Faith & Mindset, Productivity, Writing Tagged With: LDS author, parenting, time management, Writer

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