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http://LDS.org/ensign/1976/08/the-arts- ... d?lang=eng

...And unknowingly answers his own question in his talk. Octogenarians with the artistic sensibility of accountants will not give up their grip of absolute control over every last detail. Expression takes a back seat to "promotes the corporate image." They stifle expression at every turn.

...And unknowingly answers his own question in his talk. Octogenarians with the artistic sensibility of accountants will not give up their grip of absolute control over every last detail. Expression takes a back seat to "promotes the corporate image." They stifle expression at every turn.

I didn't get the impression he answered with that.

“There are many who struggle and climb and finally reach the top of the ladder, only to find that it is leaning against the wrong wall.”

That hits near to the mark.

bcspace wrote:

...And unknowingly answers his own question in his talk. Octogenarians with the artistic sensibility of accountants will not give up their grip of absolute control over every last detail. Expression takes a back seat to "promotes the corporate image." They stifle expression at every turn.

I didn't get the impression he answered with that.

If he had a lick of self awareness he would have realized he answered his own question.

He also said this, which gives the lie to your assessment:

For the most part, we do without because the conductor wants to win the acclaim of the world. He does not play to the Lord, but to other musicians. The composer and the arranger want to please the world. The painter wants to be in style. And so our resources of art and music grow ever so gradually.

bcspace wrote:He also said this, which gives the lie to your assessment:

For the most part, we do without because the conductor wants to win the acclaim of the world. He does not play to the Lord, but to other musicians. The composer and the arranger want to please the world. The painter wants to be in style. And so our resources of art and music grow ever so gradually.

He doesn't get that what the conductor wants to do is follow his own muse rather than be shackled by the artistic sensibilities of someone whose idea of great art is somewhere between backwards and stodgy.

Part of the problem is the church puts everyone on a career path. Men are expected to go on missions at 19, return and be married within a few months, with kids following shortly after. This requires a fast-track college education and a career that can quickly put food on the table. At what point do they get an opportunity to pursue their artistic interests? Art doesn't pay well, and few bishops would put up with a man that is letting his family starve while he tries to get discovered as an artist. Better to just get a business degree and a middle management job at some company.

Women are expected to marry a return missionary, typically in their late teens or early twenties. After that, they need to start having kids quickly. As a full time homemaker and mother, it is difficult to find time to pursue artistic pursuits. Also, while hubby is in school, oftentimes the wife needs to work part time to help with the bills.

Maybe it's a a stereotype, but I picture artists as single people starving in a New York apartment while trying to be discovered. This doesn't fit the LDS model for twenty-somethings.

For the most part, we do without because the conductor wants to win the acclaim of the world. He does not play to the Lord, but to other musicians. The composer and the arranger want to please the world. The painter wants to be in style. And so our resources of art and music grow ever so gradually.

He doesn't get that what the conductor wants to do is follow his own muse

Apparently he did get it because that was the reason he gave.

rather than be shackled by the artistic sensibilities of someone whose idea of great art

Ladder on the wrong wall. How does it feel to be outdone intellectually by Packer?

bcspace wrote:

He doesn't get that what the conductor wants to do is follow his own muse

Apparently he did get it because that was the reason he gave.

rather than be shackled by the artistic sensibilities of someone whose idea of great art

Ladder on the wrong wall. How does it feel to be outdone intellectually by Packer?

Packer said "win the acclaim of the world." Nothing about muses.

Packer couldn't outwit you, let alone me, bc. :)

Boyd K. Packer wrote:“There are many who struggle and climb and finally reach the top of the ladder, only to find that it is leaning against the wrong wall.”

We call them ex-Mormons.

To put things in perspective: there may be no Mormon Mozart, but many Mormon dentists are really excellent, I hear.

The Lord just ensures that his people concentrate their efforts where they will do most good to mankind.