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latter-day saint artists

Religious Freedom: The Cornerstone of a Creative’s Work

July 8, 2022 By Shaun Stahle 1 Comment

When Elder Ronald A. Rasband called for Latter-day Saints to “champion the cause of religious freedom,” it hit me with a ton of bricks. His words are still ringing in my ears because his message from the April 2022 General Conference landed a direct upper cut to LDSPMA artists to understand the issue of religious liberty and then apply our unique talents and voices in defending this god-given precept.

Today’s War over Religious Freedom

Elder Rasband is close to the fire of this conflict and feels the heat of contentious groups who are not merely seeking balance or equality in the discussion of rights but demand complete eradication of anything religious that stands in their way of living hwoever they choose.

We see various forms of this classic battle for religious freedom every day in the news, such as the bully leader of one country imposing its might on a defenseless neighbor through violence and raw brutality. 

Contentious groups…demand complete eradication of anything religious that stands in the way of living however they choose.

In Africa, we see the agony of millions who languish for want of food and security as their tyrannical leaders strip the once verdant farms of their resources for their gluttonous living.

We learn about the restriction of religious rights in high school classrooms where teachers use their authority to publicly humiliate and deride any student whose convictions vary from theirs.

Then there are those who are denied employment or career advancement because of Sabbath day worship. And there are many more stories we seldom hear about.

As I connect the dots of my life, I see that my passion for this issue began shortly after my mission in the mid-70s. The first incident was subtle, but on that day, lightening struck twice and left a mark.

My Discovery

I was going about my business in the production of my father’s newspaper when a news report on the radio quoted a particular politician in a European country who was red-in-the-face angry because the powerful economic engine of the U.S. was putting his country at a disadvantage. He demanded legislation to level the playing field.

I dismissed it. His comment didn’t deserve any further anxiety on my part.

A few minutes later, another news report described how the government of this same country was alarmed by possible threats from a growing minority population and was imposing religious restrictions to enforce their conformity to the country’s traditions.

On the surface these reports seem to have little in common. But with time and experience, I’ve come to see that religious freedom and a robust, safe society are two ends of the same stick. Mess with one, and you mess with the other.

The powerful economic engine this politician craved on the one hand was being suppressed by legislation that limited the rights of the people to innovate and create and aspire on the other.

Soon a new appreciation for the First Amendment developed as I studied journalism in college. Beyond learning about dangling participles and misplaced modifiers, I developed a reverence for the power and purpose of the right to speak and worship and assemble without governmental infringement.

This very right gives power to the economic engine, the exchange of ideas, and a deeper spectrum of understanding from which to draw meaning.

Religious Freedom and the Plan of Happiness

I believe the power of religious freedom is the bedrock upon which a robust and peaceful society is built. I believe it is absolutely foundational for the gospel plan of happiness to excel.

I see that religious freedom is essential to living life in a meaningful and productive way. Perhaps that’s why Elder Rasband’s call in a sacred setting to champion religious freedom resonates with me.

I suspect most LDSPMA artists have this same bedrock belief, but sometimes in life we are like the fish who have swam in warm waters for so long that they’ve forgotten what a blessing it is.

“Most of us drink from waters of religious freedom without even knowing it,” said Elder Patrick Keaton of the Seventy in the Conference on Religious Freedom in 2015. “We drink freely from the waters of religious freedom not aware of the contamination in the tributaries.

“We think of it as a river that will always flow but may not recognize the risks that exist in the tributaries that feed the river.”

In that address, Elder Keaton said that it might appear that rights just happen and are perpetuated without thought or effort on our part.

“We cannot forget the extraordinary resolve that went into protecting our abundance,” he said.

W. Cole Durham, a BYU law professor and proponent of religious freedom, once state that the challenge of preserving religious liberties is a “crisis of apathy, … of gradual erosion, … a crisis of lost moorings.”

Religious freedom and a robust, safe society are two ends of the same stick.

This drift is subtle. It proceeds in small steps, preventing public opinion from galvanizing. So gradual is the loss of religious freedoms, it’s as if a social anesthesia is gently lulling us to sleep, explained Professor Durham.

Our Duty as Latter-day Saints

While addressing this issue in a recent 2022 Church History Symposium, Elder Gerrit W. Gong taught that principles of religious freedom are part of the Restoration’s rich history and Latter-day Saints have a special duty to speak on behalf of religious liberty for all groups.

We may think that influencing society is the job of someone else who has more money or power. But who better to answer Elder Rasband’s call that us? He told us that we have the power and tools and skills for the task at hand. It is our turn as spiritual creators to do our part.

So, what’s an LDSPMA creative to do?

Counsel from Church leaders suggest:

  • Become educated on the issues and get involved in our communities.
  • Engage in amiable conversations with those with differing viewpoints.
  • Prayerfully create content that strengthens faith.
  • Realize your unique voice and share your perspective with passion and honest respect for others.

We have the needed gifts and tools

Perhaps more than any other industry, Latter-day media professionals are equipped with the gift and tools to educate the masses. Seen through this lens, our creative work takes on new relevance and meaning.

Faith-filled content is the antidote to preserving faith, family, and country from dissonant voices bent on destabilizing and destroying. According to Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Twelve, without religious freedom, other freedoms “wither and fade.”

Let us all keep his message ringing in our ears: “Religious liberty enables all to freely pursue truth and the meaning of life, and to live accordingly.”

Shaun Stahle

Shaun Stahle wanted to be an architect, but before he knew what was happening, he was graduating with a degree in journalism from BYU. Words and images have been his life ever since grabbing newspapers off his father’s little printing press at age five. Shaun’s lived a life rich in experience, writing for various weekly and daily newspapers, most notably the Church News section of the Deseret News for seventeen years, where he accompanied President Gordon B. Hinckley to visit members in the former Soviet Union. Now semi-retired, Shaun uses the power of words and images to heal and unite.

    Filed Under: Articles, Faith & Mindset, Gospel Principles Tagged With: courage, latter-day saint artists, liberty, religious freedom

    How LDSPMA Changed My Life—- and Can Change Yours

    June 24, 2022 By Tyler Bryan Nelson 1 Comment

    Some lucky people know what they want to do early in their lives. Their career paths are clear straight lines. Far more frequently, though, career paths wind and twist and turn and tumble. They’re bumpy; they have ruts and potholes. They split off into the trees without road signs or mile markers. Maybe that’s why they’re called career “paths” and not highways or boulevards.

    A few years ago, I was on a particularly winding, rut-filled path myself. But in the world of creation, no matter whether you are on a straight path or a winding one, we all are going to need help at some point. We will need guidance, information, or encouragement.

    I needed all of that. And that’s what LDSPMA gave — and still gives — to me.

    Starting to find direction

    When I returned from my mission to Russia in August of 2018, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had dabbled with health care and law in high school but found both unsatisfactory. I liked sports, I wasn’t interested in it as a career.

    When I first got home, I believed what many missionaries do, that I could continue my mission by teaching seminary. That idea faded quickly, and I was left in limbo. 

    We all are going to need help at some point. We will need guidance, information, or encouragement.

    While I drifted in uncertainty at Utah State University, I took a humanities class taught by former LDSPMA Education Director Joseph Batzel. In the class, we discussed various types of art and media, and learned to evaluate and think critically about their value.

    Near the end of the semester, we had a large assignment. I wrote a parody of Sherlock Holmes where he works as a janitor at an elementary school. Watson is split into two separate teachers, Ms. Watson and Mrs. John. There is a little mystery about a tipped-over garbage can and hidden treasure. It’s a piece I’m still proud of today — although I probably would have forgotten about it if it weren’t for Professor Batzel’s reaction.

    He wrote a thorough evaluation of my story, brought me in to talk about it, and sang a few of its praises to my classmates. I was embarrassed, but proud at the same time. I’d worked hard on that Sherlock Holmes story, and Professor Batzel recognized that. He knew it wasn’t going to win any awards, but he saw its potential and encouraged me. 

    Not long after that, he introduced me to another of his writer friends, who was another LDSPMA member. This friend was putting together an anthology of short stories. I submitted a story, and a few months later I had my first published work ever. And, my first milestone on my new path.

    Meeting others on the path

    I attended my first LDSPMA conference in 2019. I was nervous, and didn’t know what to expect. Beyond connecting and working with Professor Batzel and a few students in my creative writing classes, I had never really networked before. But on the first day that I walked into the conference, I felt welcomed. 

    We started in the Conference Center on the Brigham Young University campus. In the large crowd, I was waved down by Professor Batzel. He introduced me to a member of the Osmond family, Justin Osmond. 

    Five minutes later, I was listening to Elder John H. Groberg (as in John H. Groberg of The Other Side Of Heaven) give the keynote address on creating uplifting media. I checked the rest of the schedule. There would be presentations from Lisa Magnum and Chris Schlesinger from Shadow Mountain Publishing, T.C. Christiansen the filmmakers, Janice Kapp Perry the composer, and Jennifer Sterling, sister and assistant to Lindsay Sterling.

    I listened to professionals and enthusiasts from all branches of publishing and media present their advice and passion purely for the benefit of others over the course of the weekend conference. In those few days, I learned about networking, marketing, managing writing schedules, how to find an agent and a publisher, and so much more. I went from feeling like writing could be a hobby…to something that I could actually make into a career. 

    The power, purpose, and spirit of LDSPMA

    Since attending my first conference in 2019, I have attended other conferences and taken part in Zoom meetings with other LDSPMA members. Each interaction has uplifted and encouraged me. 

    I love writing for the LDSPMA blog from time to time. Working with the other writers and editors has made me a better writer. Every person not only wants to get better at what they do, but help others get better. 

    That’s the spirit of LDSPMA. 

    I went from feeling like writing could be a hobby…to something that I could actually make into a career.

    LDSPMA’s purpose is to “empower Latter-day Saints to become voices of light and truth in publishing, media, and the arts.” 

    And I’ve found that to be true. 

    LDSPMA gave me a foundation to start a career in something I love. I write for LDSDaily.com, I have published my first book, and I run a podcast called Mission Report designed to instruct future missionaries on how they can better prepare for their missions.

    I’m grateful for the resources and knowledge LDSPMA supplies me with. I look forward to attending more conferences, associating with the members of LDSPMA, and gaining more ability and understanding of how to uplift and inspire others. 

    From once feeling lost, I now love the path I’m on, and I look forward to what lies ahead down the road.

    Tyler Brian Nelson

    After serving a mission to Samara, Russia, Tyler graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Creative Writing. Tyler is the author of Away From The Sun, a short collection of his written works, is the host of the Mission Report podcast, and runs the To Be Determined… blog. He lives in Provo with his drop-dead gorgeous wife, enjoys playing basketball, playing the banjo, studying history, and collecting Pokemon cards.

      Filed Under: Articles, Business, Craft Skills, Faith & Mindset, LDSPMA News, Productivity, Professional Skills, Writing Tagged With: encouraging others, friendship, latter-day saint artists, LDSPMA; creativity; writing; inspiration finding purpose, writing as a career

      Portrait of a Painter: The Journey of Latter-day Saint Artist Dan Wilson

      May 12, 2022 By Howard Collett 8 Comments

      Dan Wilson began drawing from the time he could pick up a pencil. “I doodled on everything,” he recounts. “My first sale was in 7th grade to one of my teachers. She had me draw John Wayne. I couldn’t believe she gave me $20. But I battled being an artist. I studied chiropractic, fire science, and business, but I always felt a tug to go back to art.”

      “Before graduation, Dan was all over the place,” said Heather, Dan’s wife of 13 years. “He couldn’t figure out what he wanted to do. I asked, ‘Why not art?’, but I never thought he would do it full time.” 

      Early Inspiration

      Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dan graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor degree in fine arts. “My greatest mentors were Perry Stuart, a UVU art professor, and William Whittaker, who mentored me after college. I was inspired by Danish artist Carl Bloch and French artist William Bouguereau.”

      Dan is also inspired by his wife. “I wouldn’t be able to give it 100% if she wasn’t behind me,” he said. Dan first met Heather at Gold’s Gym. “I didn’t want to be that guy who gets her number at the gym,” he admitted, “then I ran into her at a dance two months later. The rest is history.” The couple has four boys and two girls ranging in age from two to eleven.

      Lightbulb Moment

      “I originally painted just to have a career. I did portrait art and wanted to get into galleries,” Dan said. “Then I painted my first image of Christ, and two families bought simple prints. One mother stopped me the next week at church, got emotional, and said, ‘You have no idea how much that image is uplifting us in our home.’ I thought, ‘That was really cool.’”

      The next week at the exact same spot, another woman stopped Dan. “She also got emotional and said, ‘I gave my print to my sister who’s trying to keep her family together. You have no idea how much it means to them and how much it’s helping.’ She said almost the exact same words. The lightbulb went off and I knew—I’m supposed to be painting for a reason, and that is to uplift people in their homes with images of Christ.”

      I’m supposed to be painting for a reason…

      “When Dan was deciding what he wanted to paint, he was up and down,” said Heather. “When he realized he wanted to paint the Savior, everything just fell into place.”

      Rigors of Aspiration

      But it hasn’t always been easy. To support his art career, Heather cleaned houses and Dan managed a freight forwarding business for FEDEX. “My first year I made $7,000 from my art,” he said, “but Heather never second-guessed the whole thing.” 

      In 2014, Dan started painting full time. “It’s not a normal nine-to-five job,” said Heather. “There’s no paid time off. His schedule varies. At six pm he may be in the middle of something he can’t leave. Sometimes he paints until midnight. But he’s a hard worker and takes on the responsibility of providing for the family. He constantly studies the work of other artists.”

      Inspiration is a Process

      Dan relies heavily on the power and process of inspiration. “If I’m painting the Savior for a temple, I just want to do Him justice. I’m intimidated every time,” he said. “I spend a lot of mental prep work getting ready to paint. I get a father’s blessing. I include it in my fast. Then I do the best painting I can with the Lord’s help.”

      Dan is quick to add that inspiration doesn’t come all at once. “I can take it only so far, and then I get stuck where I just don’t know what the best thing for the painting is. It’s then that I receive more answers.”

      Washington DC Temple Painting

      This process was repeatedly manifested in his largest work to date, “His Return,” a depiction of Christ’s Second Coming for the Washington DC Temple.

      Dan had already completed six paintings for temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he received a call from the Temple Department to do another: an eight-by-twelve-foot oil painting for the Washington DC Temple. It needed to be completed in time for the temple rededication in the summer of 2022.

      “This Second Coming piece was a big slice of humble pie. I ran into several things I didn’t know how to do,” said Dan. “I’ve never done a mural this size before with 300-plus angels. It stretched me. When I get overconfident and don’t rely on the spirit, I make a lot of mistakes I have to spend the next day fixing. It’s pretty easy to stay grounded when you realize you’re painting stuff you can’t paint by yourself. I learn something new each time.”

      “The temple department gave me the idea for the painting based on scripture, with the Savior coming in the clouds clothed in a red robe surrounded by numerous angels,” said Dan. “I produced preliminary sketches with graphite. When they were approved, I was asked to do a one-by-two-foot painting which the temple interior designer would use for their color palate. When that was approved, they let me loose.”

      Dan went to work finding models and clothing for them, creating concepts for the trumpets, and conducting numerous photoshoots before putting it all together. “I spent hundreds of hours in Photoshop just placing the angels so that they didn’t create a pattern and the diversity was not stacked in one section. I had about 30 models, but as you go further away from Christ the detail isn’t as apparent.” 

      God is in the very details of our work.

      There were more layers of approval for the painting, the last one being a member of the First Presidency of the Church. It took Dan an estimated 2,000 hours to paint “His Return”—a fourth of it in preparation alone. 

      Specific Revelation

      Dan’s original concept was for 120 angels. To give greater depth to the painting, the number grew to more than 300. “I painted one angel at a time,” he said. “It took one to three days per angel. All of them had slightly different contrasts. The hardest thing about painting 300 angels surrounding Christ is to have them not consume all the attention and to have them go back in space evenly and consistently. I was really stressed out about it, and I prayed and fasted a lot.”

      One morning Dan awoke early and visualized the use of a specific white glaze to apply in variation to make the angels complement and not compete with the image of the Savior. It gave them a glowing feel and helped them fit perfectly in atmospheric perspective. 

      “Such a specific revelation is a testimony to me that God is in the very details of our work. That doesn’t just apply to me as a Christian artist working on temple paintings, but it applies to anyone in any career. God is in the details of our work, and He can answer specific questions to help us be better providers, better employees, better employers, better husbands or wives, or wherever we need help. If we’re specific with Him, He’ll be specific with us.”

      Howard Collette

      Author Bio

      Howard Collett has two novels in production, Erika’s War, a spy novel set in contemporary Berlin, and Lost in the Wilderness, the tale of a 10-year-old girl lost in Utah’s Uinta mountains. He has published 1,600 articles and 300 photos in aviation, medicine, software, and education in national and international magazines. His capstone achievement documented life-saving humanitarian aid on four continents. Visit www.howardcollett.net for more information.

        Filed Under: Articles, Craft Skills, Faith & Mindset, Fine Art, Gospel Principles Tagged With: faith as a creator, fine art, inspriation in creativity, latter-day saint artists, Painting, Painting; fine art; faith as a creator; Latter-day Saint artists; Inspiration in creativity Journey of an artist

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