Jer3miah Video Post

I thought the movie was really interesting in the fact that it used so many LDS references to create the entire plot and theme. To be honest, it was hard for me to watch because of some cringe acting and dialog, but I thought the overall production was decent - it reminded me of a final project or capstone for graduation. I didn't realize how odd the stories and beliefs can be and what it causes some people to do - listening to the voice of God. I find it interesting that my blog before this one I talked about recreating the book of Mormon and having Hollywood do it for dramatization. I think if the Book of Mormon, or LDS beliefs in general were depicted accurately, I'm not sure how well it would be accepted. This story of the 3 Nephites and their genealogy was an interesting take that i hadn't recognized before. I do agree with some of the point Professor Burton included in his analysis and it is very apparent in Jer3miah the interconnectedness of our beliefs, history, genealogy, etc.

Final Essay - Hollywood Movie: The Book of Mormon

Although I was exposed to a lot more LDS literature than I ever have been (at least works outside the church cannon) I feel there are a lot of genres, topics or approaches that I am not familiar with or haven’t encountered within LDS literature or LDS creative arts. With that said, I feel that a Hollywood interpretation of the Book of Mormon would be very interesting, and I believe it hasn’t been done. I say Hollywood, because that would allow for dramatization and exploration outside the book itself. Currently, there is a production from the Church remaking the Book of Mormon, but its audience seems to draw towards those already familiar with the gospel and principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Many would possibly agree that a misrepresentation of the Book of Mormon and its stories could be harmful to the Church; however, I would disagree. I think any exposure to the Book of Mormon is a move in the right direction, even if directors produce such pieces as try to and demean the religion – they’ve tried and failed before with the Book of Mormon Broadway.

I would suggest that each book or so within the Book of Mormon be made into a series as to include many of the events and elements. I understand that Hollywood doesn’t do justice to many book-to-movie productions, but if there was a very well-done production, I think it would have an incredible impact on the story. Yes, there are areas that would be considered ‘R’ rated, but this future historical fiction film has enough action, romance, etc. that would draw the attention of many outside the Church. Although a Hollywood version would bring in a lot more fiction, attention to the book could also draw curiosity. I am not implying that the movie be created for the sole purpose of missionary efforts, but I think the stories hold incredible accounts that are often misrepresented or misunderstood because of lack of dramatization.

As a subgroup to LDS creative arts and literature, I feel that many of our films are directed towards LDS audiences. My question is, what if we (or someone outside the church) created them for a general audience? Movies such as Exodus, Prince of Egypt, The Passion of Christ, and Noah have all expanded on Biblical stories – some with more success than others. Many audiences are familiar with these stories which may be the cause of success or failure for each of them, but the Book of Mormon could be displayed in a manner that doesn’t focus on a Mormon audience. Imagine exciting trailers retelling the Book of Mormon – I think it would be an interesting form of media that hasn’t been done before – well at least, not quite like Hollywood.

Avatar and the Atonement

Movie Interpretation:

I largest connection that I made with LDS culture and the movie Avatar was the interconnection between the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement with the main character, Jake Sully. For example, the plot seemed to go along the lines of Jake (a spirit) coming down from heaven (outer space) to a world (Pandora) and gaining a body (his avatar), learning how the body works and learning of its connection within the world and its creator or spirit (Eywa). Another perspective is seeing Jake Sully with his broken body being restored into a whole and new body with his avatar (resurrection) or Dr. Grace Augustine dying and being received by Eywa.

Article Interpretation:

The article seemed to go along the same lines as my thought process and I enjoyed the connection of the veil; being able to experience both sides of the veil as a spirit (human form) and as body (avatar form). The bit about resurrection and the permanent embodiment I agreed with as this was the most prominent aspect of the movie for myself. I thought it was interesting the Professor Burton made stab at “avatars of experience”. I find it interesting that the things that we interact with could also be considered avatars – that which “stretch our souls to find their truest form.”

I'll Find Out, In Due Time

A personal essay by Marcus Cain

An eternal promise to a mortal being; a torment light can’t unveil.

My relationship with God has always been distant.

When I was younger, I felt close to Father in the sense that I knew He was there; like a child being supervised. However, the older I got, the more I treated Him like any teenager would - off handed communications and years of detachment. Confiding in a man of great spirituality, I hoped to mend my impartiality towards Father. As the man spoke, his voice sounded familiar, though I had not heard it before… it wasn’t his voice, but His. Reassuring. Calming, even.

Unsettling.

Marcus's Personal Essay Rivisions

For content, I need to make sure that I don’t include topics that are specific to LDS culture. For example, not explaining what a mission it, maybe a Patriarch or a Patriarchal blessing. I need to either take these out and refrain from using specifics in such a way OR explain what these are in a simple manner.

As for form, I will need to focus on better rhythm and description. Right now, the format of the paper is good, but I need to make sure that the text flows. Another thing I should look at or do is read the paper out loud and figure out what flows and what doesn’t. There are some lines that could have better diction.

The images are going to be greyscale to reduce the warmth of color, but I need to find a better initial image. I may use my final image at the start and find something else for the ending. Each image should relate to the heading (which I also need to include) of each section.

Marcus's Essay Draft: I'll Find Out, in Due Time

I’ll Find Out, In Due Time

An eternal promise to a mortal being; torment, light can’t unveil.

My relationship with Father has always been distant.

When I was younger, I felt close to Him in the sense that I knew he was there; like a child being supervised. However, the older I got, the more I treated Him like any teenager would – off handed communications and years of detachment. A blessing from my church Patriarch mended that detachment, for a moment. The voice of the old timely Patriarch, sounded familiar, though I had not heard it before; not his voice, but His. Reassuring. Calming, even.

Unsettling.

Oct. 23, 2011 – Journal Entry 7

Today in the MTC during scripture study, my class laughed at me because I drew an image of Jesus crossing the Atlantic Ocean to visit the Americas in a boat – a rendition of what I thought happened in The Book of Mormon. Apparently, I was way off.

Marcus's Essay Plan

My topic is the effects of timelines in our lives. Within the church, and even outside the church, there seems to be a large stigma surrounding timelines. Well, mine isn’t ordinary. There are a lot of pressures on graduating college as a certain time, getting married at a certain time, going on a mission at a certain time. However, my timeline isn’t your timeline, nor God’s timeline.

As for a form to imitate in my essay, I would like to make it more personal with the use of letters, like Martine Leavitt. I think the use of letters (in this case, to myself) would add an interesting effect and cut up the traditional essay format. The manner in which we format our text allows us to read it differently – I’d like to experiment with that.

The format of my essay will mimic that of a traditional essay but will also include choppier and shorter paragraphs with the occasional letter to myself. These short letters will include motivation saying or advice to myself during difficult times. The content will include moments I feel I let myself down by falling behind: Gymnastics, Learning the Gospel, Late advancements in the Mission field, Getting into College, Joining a BYU Athletic Team, etc. I will include each of these in a timeline, but the timeline may have some hiccups.

Marcus Incorporating Quotes

“We don’t have an eternity

to realize our dreams,

only the time we are here.”

-       Susan L. Taylor

No. We do have an eternity. Many times, our dreams are limited by the realities of this life but there is much more to strive for in the afterlife. All prayers are answered in due time; however, this timeline spans the eternities. Although we may not receive answers to prayers in this life, we will in the next. Although we may not accomplish dreams in this life, we can in the next. I refuse to accept that we don’t have an eternity. Promises between God and ourselves extend passed the boundaries of mortality.

There are some blessings and promises preserved by God that are bestowed after mortality. Even Jesus Christ, our Savior, understood this while conversing with the thieves on the cross. Asking Him to come off the cross if he should be the Son of God, Jesus “withstood that ploy knowing in due time every knee would bow”.(Matt. 27:40) It would not be during the life of Christ that every knee would bow, but over the course of eternities. There is a time after his mortality that this prophecy would occur – a blessing preserved by God.

I believe in creating our own timeline. There are unique social pressures that tell us when we should graduate college, how much money we should be making at a certain age, etc. Even within religious organizations timelines exist on when or how long we should serve our Savior or when one should get married after “X” amount of time. Nevertheless, these timelines are constraints on a natural form of progression. At our own pace, we will all rise:

“I believe in the Sun even when it does not shine… God will make it happen in due time.” – Matt Matherne