Tuesday, June 17, 2008

"Zion must increase in beauty"

In our ultimate quest to create Zion, what are we going to achieve in media?

Currently there are huge corporations that own movie studios, TV stations, etc. Disney owns ABC and numerous other companies.
I don't believe Zion is meant to receive its entertainment, all its learning, all its glory from outside the church.
President John Taylor said:
“You mark my words, and write them down and see if they do not come to pass.
“You will see the day that Zion will be far ahead of the outside world in everything pertaining to learning of every kind as we are today in regard to religious matters.
“God expects Zion to become the praise and glory of the whole earth, so that kings hearing of her fame will come and gaze upon her glory. …” (September 20, 1857; see The Messenger, July 1953.)

Are we to merely sit by and watch while companies produce all the movies we put in our homes and while musicians and writers create all the music and literature we have on our shelves and in our Ipods?
Now, I am NOT saying that all the stuff other people produce is bad, but a lot of them are turning worse. Disney seems to be a good company but parts of it's conglomerated mass produce questionable material.

There will continue to be good people outside of the church that create good things and we should encourage them but I think there can be more.
If we are to create a Zion that will be the praise and glory of the whole earth, it will be that in many respects. Righteousness and faith will be first. How about the arts? I'm not talking about a Michael Mclean every once in a few years or a Lex de Azevedo or Janice Kapp Perry here or there.

What about new companies started and run by LDS men of honor, talent, and morality that rival today's media conglomerates?
What about a Gemini Digital Media that becomes part of the glory of Zion? As Zion increases in beauty and holiness, how about a company that stands for just that?

Simply a thought. The world is getting darker. Are we getting lighter?