While pondering my previous religious tradition and artistic expression it dawned on me that among those of the former tradition they will; as Boyd Packer said, “not have its Rembrandt”.

This is because whenever one attempts to do as Joesph Smith taught they are marginalized and diminished or excommunicated. Joseph Smith wrote “The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God”

Whenever one reaches the utmost heavens, the darkest abyss and the broad expanse of eternity they come back with a vision of reality that does not fall in line with “Follow the Prophet”. That institution has effectively couched all of its teaching into a comfort zone of homogenous thought and belief. To even consider something outside of it is sin and apostasy worthy of the threat of casting one out. They effectively teach you NOT to do as Joseph taught.

This is why they will never have their Rembrandt. They will continue to produce pop slop of smooth voiced performers, very good orchestras and choirs but nothing truly innovative or mold breaking. You have the examples of “influencers” singing hymns ,feigning reverence and holiness but when you look at the production you see attractive young women and tight dresses that reveal youthful, svelt bodies while staring at the camera with seductive eyes. Effectively seducing their audiences. Failing to point people to God as they would claim or produce real art.

In literary terms, people like Avraham Gileadi and Denver Snuffer were excommunicated for their writings that opened the heavens to view. The former was readmitted to the Church. His writings have devolved into self affirming circuitous and institution affirming rhetoric while the Latter has gone on to claim and declare his dispensation and reveal lost truths, continue Josephs work and inspire a reboot of the once aborted restoration.

Its an institution of absolute control feigning agency among its members. This is reinforced by what D Michael Quinn (also excommunicated for his literature) said was “if you don’t want this to happen to you, then you’d better not express publicly in any way views which you may suspect might offend the brethren.” 

Ironically the first modern purge happened in 1993 with Boyd Packer as the lead instigator with participation from Dallin Oaks the now current president. Oaks lied about Paul Toscanos excommunication in 93 when he said he didn’t know about it but was in direct communication with Toscanos stake president advocating a predetermined outcome. 

All of the greatest art the world has ever produced has been a result of deep pain, anguish, suffering, elation, marginalization, conquest of challenge and enlightenment etc. Never in the middle of a monotonous life lacking experience or the ability to stretch the imagination or mind. C.S. lewis wrote in The Abolition of Man about those who would frame what is good and what is bad and make the decision for you through an academic exercise and institution rather than allow society to experiment and experience things to develop an idea of what they actually thought, liked and disliked. These systems are employed today by myriad institutions rob us of our agency and effectively box us in to what people call “Their bag of Jesus”.