Prompt 1.1 LDS Dance Artist
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Transcript of Prompt 1.1 LDS Dance Artist
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Megan Edwards
Ed Austin
Dance 261
January 21, 2014
Dance Ethics for the LDS Artist
For a dancer there are certain expectations. You are trying to express yourself through
movement and music. As a performer you are also trying to entertain others. Because dance is an
artistic expression, it is rooted in the beliefs of the soul. Because of the changing value systems
in society, the idea of dance being an expression of the soul and not just the body is becoming
more and more lost to us. As members of the church, we have been given specific and direct
counsel on how to maintain the spiritual side of dance as an art and must then find ways to apply
this to the current application of dance. Some of the areas where this presents a challenge include
the purpose of dance, costuming and presentation, and partner relationships. By addressing these
issues, we can establish how an LDS dancer can participate in the sport while being in the world
but not of the world(Cook).One question I think is important for a dancer to consider is why do I dance? What is
the intent behind dance? Being LDS, my reasons for dance primarily involve self-expression,
exercise, and a hobby where I can set and achieve goals. If I look at the question from a more
spiritual perspective, we use dance as an expression of love and as a celebration of the miracle of
our bodies (Maxwell). However, some forms of dance make it hard to adhere to some of these
principles. For example, in ballroom dance the rumba is a dance of seduction and can easily be
portrayed in inappropriate ways if the couple is not trying to hold to their values. On one hand
the expression of love in this dance can be an uplifting and beautiful artistic portrayal. On the
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other hand it is very easy to substitute love with Satans counterfeit, lust(Scott). It is important
for the couple to maintain the essence of the dance while doing so in a way that [they] can have
the Spirit to be with [them] (Bednar 2006).
Dance is all about the body; how it moves, looks, responds to music, etc. Being LDS, we
are taught by our church leaders that the body is a sacred temple and that we are to treat it with
care and respect (Nelson). This includes modesty in dress and appearance and righteous
behavior. Doing so allows for artistic expression that entices us to do good, radiates light,
and invites the Holy Ghost (Dayley). The world does not see the body in this way anymore. It
expresses the body in ways that are sensual, vulgar, and profane (Dayley). Because of this,
the world views dance as being good or valuable when the dancer wears immodest clothing
and moves in sensual or inappropriate ways. Costumes become very skimpy and reveal as much
skin as possible. As an LDS dancer, it is my responsibility to find the balance between
maintaining my values and yet still being competitive and current in a world that is drawing
away from church values. We have been specifically counseled on this by leaders of the church.
For example, Elder Wirthlin stated that our actions should consist of always doing what is right
and good, regardless of the immediate consequences (Wirthlin). Although this seems very
direct, it can be very difficult to apply in the real world.
Being a ballroom dancer, I am partnered off when I dance. For my individual
competitions, I have a set partner that I practice and compete with. Because so much work is
required, I spend a great deal of time with my partner. There have been many occasions when I
am approached by a non-dancer and asked about my relationship with my partner. Some of the
first questions usually include, are you dating? or what does your husband/boyfriend think of
you spending so much time with another man? I am not married yet, so this hasnt been too
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much of a problem for me; its ok for me to be pairing off. However, many dancers begin
dancing in their youth or at very young ages. The church counsels the youth not to date or pair
off until they are at least sixteen (For the Strength of Youth). The question becomes does so
much time spent practicing together with one other person constitute as a date or not? Another
problem would be for a married couple, when one of them competes with someone other than
their spouse. Is it a healthy relationship to spend so much time alone with someone other than
their spouse, especially where there is so much physical contact and connection in dance? This
could be unhealthy to the relationship or could even lead to adulterous behavior.
These are just a few examples of the teachings of modern prophets concerning the arts. It
is important as one starts and progresses through their career as an LDS dancer that you have
these values established in your life. It is not easy to maintain them; to have the approval of the
world is very tempting and seems very glamorous. But you have to remember that in order to
retain the Holy Spirit in our lives we must be living in such a way that invites His presence. If we
remember and live the teachings of the prophets we will find true happiness and be able to be in
the world, but not of the world (Cook).
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Bibliography:
Being in the World but Not of the World. N. p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014. Cook
Making the Right Choices. N. p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.Scott
Personal Integrity. N. p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.Wirthlin
That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us. N. p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.Bednar
Twelve, ElderNeal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the. Creativity -New Era Aug. 1982. N. p.,
n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.
We Are Children of God. N. p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.Nelson
"For the Strength of Youth" The First Presidency of the Church
"Centering the Arts in Christ." Dayley