Close Topic Options

Mormons: Drawing Naked Body - Mormon Art Class

Mormons In A n-de Art Class

What do you think... Is it okay for Mormons to be In A N-de Art Class because they are learning about the art of one's physique?

Class Art Mormon Body Naked Drawing Mormons

I am not sure if I am the right person to answer this because I am not the typical LDS (at least that's what I think). Even though I do not see it as a big deal, I would personally not participate because I would probably be quite embarrassed about looking at someone's naked body.

Mormons: Drawing Naked Body - Mormon Art Class Studies Doctrine Mormon

As an LDS artist, I think that it's still unnecessary to use the naked body as an art form, regardless of how "profound" or "beautiful" it might seem. Sure, our bodies are beautiful things... but because they are such they are to be handled with care and sensitivity. There's no reason why students should use a nude model as opposed to a clothed form other than seeing the raw form that's creating the shapes, but that could be achieved through tight-fitting clothing (which isn't all that good in itself but much better than nudity). Respect your body and save it for the one you marry.

Class Art Mormon Body Naked Drawing Mormons

We are called to chastity and modesty. I think this kinda falls into the law of chastity.(From an LDS prospective)

Paul mentions clearly in some of his letters of how we should think of our bodies after the holy spirit was conferred on us. (Speaking about Adultery)

In 3rd Nephi we have Jesus speaking :

In the infancy period of the church Joseph sought to receive further revelation as a means to clarify the will of God.

In my humble opinion, this type of situation should be avoided at all costs. It's not that posing nude will outright offend god. God views the intent of the man's heart, not the action itself. We have an illustration from the fall that shows what changed in us after the fall of man.

I take from that scripture and drawing parallels to the other scriptures I quoted that we have been subjected to temptation since the fall. It is part of God's plan for us to glorify his name. He gives us chances to follow his path and shows us the way. As long as we are focused on God and his will, its left up to our own conscience to make a final choice. Making choices using the spirit as a guide and being repentant when we have been mislead by the adversary is part of endurance till the end.

Edited: Ryann on 21st Feb, 2008 - 1:02pm

Class Art Mormon Body Naked Drawing Mormons

Ryaan, I understand some of your points but I am not quite sure about some of the scriptures you are quoting "that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart." Are you implying that if you are in an art class looking at the naked body of a woman for the purpose of drawing/painting only you are automatically "lusting" after her?

Mormons: Drawing Naked Body - Mormon Art Class

I'm not saying that just because you look at a body in the naked form that you are automatically lusting and ultimately committing adultery. However, I am saying that there is a fine line that must be observed when looking temptation in the face. As a result of Adam & Eve's transgression, we have been subjected to temptation.

We have the agency to choose right from wrong. It is like playing with fire to subject yourself to temptation willfully. If you tempt god, be sure you know what your getting in to... this goes with many aspects of life. In this particular realm of temptation, God has cautioned us specifically.

I'm not qualified to make judgments or to interpret the scriptures. It all boils down to your own understanding and confidence in dealing with temptation. If I see a naked girl that looks good, my knee jerk reaction would be to lust. If I see a fat naked girl, id pass judgment.... either way, with out being in the situation, I see the repentance process as imminent.

Rather off topic, but... (yesterday it didn't let me contribute to more than one topic because I'm not a paid member, I hope that isnt the case for this message.)

Message Edited... Persephone: It is not necessary to quote the entire post of the user above you. Also use the Offtopic Tags for messages not part of the Topic. If you have questions, use your Intro Thread. See Constructive Posting Policy.

Mormons Drawing Naked Body Mormon Art Class

I understand your points better now, I just could not grasp the back up scriptures you put. I think it has a lot to do with the circumstances as well and of course with our own weaknesses. Some people may be affected by it, others don't. In the end, I think is not something that is so necessary for the name of "art" that we need to put ourselves through it in order to see whether we will be affected by it or not.

Mormons Drawing Naked Body Mormon Art Class Mormon Doctrine Studies

Justifying using a nude model to learn how to paint nudes, to me, is like justifying letting non-worthy non-members enter in the temple to write an article about the ordinances and ceremonies we perform there. What's meant to be sacred is reserved.

Temple=Sacred=Human Body

A good talk that makes a similar comparison would be
'Taking to Heart the Atonement of Christ (Van C. Gessel)'