Jenny's blog

Mormon ‘idol’ being crowned

Mormon ‘idol’ being crownedLate last summer, after David Archuleta and Brooke White made it to the finals of the 2008 “American Idol” competition, Bob Wood began to wonder just how many other singers raised in the LDS culture had that kind of talent … [Deseret News LDS Feed]

This sounds nice to me. I wish we had better ways of getting information out appropriately to LDS people about awesome LDS people and products. Our clean-living culture appeals to more than just Mormons, and it would be nice if we could reach out to others, too.

It makes me sad that Mormons as a whole don’t seem to be a creative bunch, though. I think of us as Tweakers. We sing others’ music beautifully; we play off others’ successful tv shows for ours; we alter others’ logos and mottos and music and jewelry and games to suit our culture….. where’s OUR unique creativity? We tweak instead of inventing. I don’t know if this is a cultural failing or if it’s because we don’t have a good way to build our own culture. We are far flung, but there hasn’t been a successful way to link us together culturally. BYUTV is the closest thing we have, but it’s only available on certain satellite and tv subscriptions, and fills its time with random talks and old football games. I wish it had more “who we are” programming.

Wonder if I could start a show for them? MOB: Mormons Outside the Bubble or The Way We Are. You could interview people all over the country. Here’s how we do YW out here. Here’s how RS is successful in Oklahoma. What is it with Mormons and jello? Kitchen Wars — they could make Funeral Potatoes for a rowdy audience of 250. Served in a gym, of course. Hehe.

I like that Richard Dutcher dude. He’s the first truly creative Mormon I’ve seen. I bet he’d help me, if only he hadn’t sworn not to do Mormon film and left the church and all :)

I think it’s fear of authority. Fear of breaking covenants. It’s the same reason my hubby won’t complain about the fact that it’s ridiculous for him to drive 70 minutes round trip 5 times in a weekend to record general conference at the stake center when the DVD costs $10 from the Church, and less than 5 people attend each session. “That would be criticizing a priesthood leader, honey.” No, it isn’t. We don’t make things better because we’re afraid.

And too often we don’t get that it’s never wrong to ask a question. I dare say it’s not wrong to make movies that provoke questions, either. “If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.” James 1:5

I wish I had the answer.

You know it’s funny. I sound like some sort of raving nut job who is about to leave the Church. Not so. I have a firm testimony in the gospel, our leaders, the Book of Mormon, priesthood authority…. It’s this culture that we’ve created that should be fixed.

Posted by Jenny Smith

I'm Jenny Smith. I blog about life on the 300+ acres of rolling farmland in Northern Virginia where I live. I like tomatoes, all things Star Trek, watercolor, and reading. I spend most days in the garden fighting deer and groundhogs while trying to find my life's meaning. I'm trying to be like Jesus -- emphasis on the trying.