Can Latter-Day Saints write great Novels, Plays or Music.

[_karl61]

Can focusing all your time and talents (and money) into building the Kingdom of God take away from other things.

http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voice ... n/?id=9119

[_Daniel Peterson]

Can focusing all your time and talents (and money) into building the Kingdom of God take away from other things.

Obviously, yes.

[_Joey]

Can focusing all your time and talents (and money) into building the Kingdom of God take away from other things.

http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voice ... n/?id=9119

Irony-

Many, if not most, may conclude that Michael Jackson put so much effort into the creation of a " Neverland", that he lost true religion.

Many, if not most, may believe Mormons put so much into the creation of a religion, they actually found "Neverland"!

[_Jersey Girl]

Many, if not most, may conclude that Michael Jackson put so much effort into the creation of a " Neverland", that he lost true religion.

The above would make sense had he not benevolently and globally contributed millions to charities, hospitals, created burn centers, paid outright for individual medical treatment and the like, on behalf of children throughout his entire career.

by the way, which true religion is it that you refer to that he lost?

[_EAllusion]

I'd imagine the orthodox and puritan culture narrows the window a bit, but I still don't see why not.

[_Daniel Peterson]

I'd imagine the orthodox and puritan culture narrows the window a bit, but I still don't see why not.

John Milton's Puritanism certainly ruined his work.

[_EAllusion]

I'd imagine the orthodox and puritan culture narrows the window a bit, but I still don't see why not.

John Milton's Puritanism certainly ruined his work.

What do you think I meant by "narrows the window?"

[_Daniel Peterson]

What do you think I meant by "narrows the window?"

What does it matter? I wasn't responding only to you.

[Guest]

What do you think I meant by "narrows the window?"

What does it matter? I wasn't responding only to you.

Your reply doesn't make any sense, so I assume you misinterpreted what I wrote. I think the culture is going to stifle the range of artistic expression among faithful members moreso than if Mormon culture didn't involve relatively strong orthodox pressures and a puritanical streak, but within the acceptable range I don't see why someone can't rise up and produce top notch works. I'd say the same of Jehovah's Witnesses, only more so.

[_Daniel Peterson]

I didn't misinterpret what you wrote. I think religious orthodoxy can constrain creativity. We agree on that.

I also think that it can engender creativity. We probably don't agree on that.

It will certainly affect the direction of the creative impulse.

Paradise Lost is unthinkable without Milton's religious beliefs, as the Divine Comedy is without Dante's. As, for that matter, the Mathnawi is without the religious beliefs of Jalal al-Din Rumi.