By Mary Dondiego
Centering the arts in Christ was the theme of Tuesdays” Devotional.
K. Newell Dayley, dean of the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications, began his address with the challenge to place Christ at the center of artistic work and to follow his perfect example.
“He invites us to be like him. Not just to believe in him, but to be like him; to acquire, in the process of time, his righteous attributes,” Dayley said.
Dayley said even though the arts can include subjects, professions, cultural artifacts and events, they can help people “see, hear, move and feel with a greater sense of understanding.”
He said art “enables us to communicate important realities that can be shared in no other way.”
Using Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, Dayley said the arts are “a marvelous manifestation of the light of Christ.”
He said Christ is our source of power and his love encourages creative action.
Dayley outlined the differences between art that is Christ-centered and art that is from the devil.
He said art centered in Christ “invites and entices us to do good continually … it persuades us to believe in Christ … it is virtuous, full of peace and invites the Holy Ghost.”
On the other hand, art not centered in Christ “entices us to sin, do that which is evil, to believe not in Christ and to deny him.”
It is focused in getting gain and the praise of the world, Dayley said.
Also, art not centered in Christ is often profane, corrupt, vulgar, violent, and blasphemous, he said.
It is born of pride and money is its driving force, Dayley said.
Dayley said “there is no middle ground” between art that is Christ-centered and art that is not.
“There is a simple test. Art that is centered in Christ invites the Holy Ghost to be present during its creation … Satan”s counterfeit has no such power,” he said.
Dayley said whatever builds people up serves the cause of the master. Likewise, that which tears down serves the cause of the adversary, he said.
He also emphasized the importance of song, especially hymns to the Lord. He said singing could be similar to prayer if approached in the same way because song provides spiritual enrichment.
He led audience participants in the hymn, “Come Follow Me,” and advised them to sing with their hearts and forget what others might think.
After the audience sang the hymn, he said, “Those who immersed themselves completely in that hymn just received a wonderful blessing.”
Dayley said the arts could also help to build Zion. However, there is a price that must be paid, he said.
“The arts require diligence, sacrifice and commitment,” he said.
Dayley closed his address with a challenge to invite the Spirit into artistic learning and participation.
“I pray that we will not deny ourselves access to the power of Christ as we seek learning and edification through the arts,” he said.
