Prompt 1.1 LDS Dance Artist

8/12/2019 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

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Prompt 1.1 LDS Dance Artist