Profiting from the Gospel

[mightynancy]

In another thread, Captain reported the following (bolding mine ~mn):

Orson Scott Card's Homecoming series is essentially the Book of Mormon in a sci-fi setting. A man named Nafai and his family are commanded to flee this holy city before it is destroyed, only to be sent back with his brothers to obtain the "Index of the Oversoul." It got a lot of mixed criticism because he is taking the stories of the BoM and science-fictionalizing them to make money. I like them because he makes them his own story and can really explore what Nephi and his family could have been thinking/feeling in the events found in the BoM.

I thought it was interesting. How is that different from those who sell religious goods, such as this artwork, this jewelry, or really, anything from Deseret Book? Aren't those folks profiting from the gospel? What's appropriate?

[Guest mormonmusic]

First, it has to be accurately represented. Paul H. Dunn made money tell stories that were embellished and was subject to Church discipline as a result. I felt that was wrong -- portraying fiction as truth and making a living from it.

[MrShorty]

The part I get bothered by the most is the advertising aspect -- in particular when someone will claim that, "no gospel library will be complete without this book." (whatever book they are selling). I'm sure it is a good, uplifting book, but to claim that I'm somehow "incomplete" without it seems a bit over the top.

The other one that bothers me a little is when they "copy" another idea with an LDS twist (like a Book of Mormon Chutes and Ladders game). This might be more about "don't we mormons have any original ideas" rather than profiteering, though.

[bert10]

The question is ...if it is gospel or science fiction.

Gospel freely received must in turn be freely given....unless God says otherwise.

If one receives something freely should He ask others to pay for what GOD gave him?

bert10

In another thread, Captain reported the following (bolding mine ~mn):

I thought it was interesting. How is that different from those who sell religious goods, such as this artwork, this jewelry, or really, anything from Deseret Book? Aren't those folks profiting from the gospel? What's appropriate?

[mightynancy]

You're creating a false dichotomy. Evidently the books in question are both - scriptural stories transposed, so to speak, into a science fiction context. I think it's a thought-provoking literary tool. Brother Card's talents are God-given, as are the talents of every individual.

I found it funny, though, that Brother Card gets called out on so-called profiteering, while peddlers of other products don't get the same outrage.

We do get into a gray area when we ask if what we have or know is God-given and can we sell it. Even if I create something through a lot of hard work, my health, my strength, my talents, my creativity, all come from God, let alone the raw materials I use. If I am inspired by the spirit and write a beautiful poem, is it okay to sell that?

And yeah, I'm totally going to the library to get those books! I love Orson Scott Card's writing. I have a collection of talks, essays and short fiction of his and I refer to it often.

[pam]

This reminds me of a thread we had just a few months ago:

http://www.lds.net/forums/lds-gospel-discussion/32888-lds-industry.html

[Suzie]

For those who think profiting with the Gospel shouldn't exist, they should then remove the salaries of so many CES supervisors, take away the cash privileges of the Brethren and go to Deseret Books or any other LDS bookstore and force them to give you the books for free.

[mightynancy]

I have no opinion one way or the other - I just thought it was interesting that one art form was criticized while others weren't. And, truth be told, there's a lot of schlocky LDS "art" out there.

[Wingnut]

This reminds me of a thread we had just a few months ago:

http://www.lds.net/forums/lds-gospel-discussion/32888-lds-industry.html

I was thinking of that thread, but couldn't remember what it was titled. As I recall, it was a pretty heated, somewhat nasty discussion from the get-go, and it kinda went down in flames. (I haven't clicked the link to re-read through it, but I just don't want to see it repeated here again.)

[Just_A_Guy]

I guess one approach to the topic is: do you want that kind of stuff to exist, or not?

If you do--the producers aren't going to just quit their day jobs and start making all these goodies for free.

Some LDS-oriented stuff is pretty dumb--or even crass--but some of it is quite nice.

[talisyn]

I'm still looking for those Temple Square shot glasses Bro. Kirby wrote about a few years ago in the SLTrib.

[Guest mormonmusic]

I had a friend who envisioned one of those keychain finders you put on your key chain. When you clap you hands, a resurrected being appears and points to the keys saying -- "This is the Right Place". I always felt that was too irreverent even for the most liberal Latter-Day Saints, however.

[Backroads]

I guess I'm "what's the big deal?" I like some of the Desert Book/Seagull stuff out there. There's a market for it, it's a free country where capitalism thrives, and hey, I like being able to get some cute LDS-themed stuff out there and apparently do a lot of people.

Is it all great? No, but that's how it works. I just wish people would get better taste.