Coming into the home stretch here

It's the halfway point on my multi-week rant, so let's dive right in.

Problem 6: Unrealistic views of life and the human condition
My view on this particular issue is changing around somewhat. On the one hand, we tend to be a more positive and optimistic group of people than most. Some, even in the church, would say that we're just fooling ourselves. If we lived in the real world we'd know what it was really like and we'd know how terrible everything is.

Bull.

I watched an interview with President Packer, and he made some terrific points. I kept thinking that he was in trouble with some of the questions that he was being asked, but his responses were terrific. In answer to a similar question that was raised (I apologize for the paraphrasing, but I don't have a transcript of it) he said, "It's our responsibility to represent things as they ought to be, not as they are." He went on to say essentially that it was good and wonderful and important to deal with difficult subjects, but you can do it in a way that's tasteful. You can portray things in such a way that it is clear what has gone on, but that doesn't offend the spirit. As far as our world-view goes, assuming that our theology (or really almost anyone's theology) is true, and I believe that ours is, then a positive, upbeat outlook on life is the proper one.

Problem 7: No market for quality work
As I've pondered this, I don't think it's the issue. People want quality work, they often just don't know how to distinguish it. For instance, if all you've ever seen is a light bulb, then you can't conceive of how bright and illuminating the sun it. In the same way, we have many members who've rarely seen truly great, or even truly good art. If they had, then much of the problem would be non-existent I believe.

Problem 8: Intolerance for "black sheep" in the LDS community
The beautiful thing about the gospel is how broad and inclusive it is. So much of it is left up to our own personal judgement that it can be easy to look askance at those who choose differently than you do on some of those grey areas. Beyond just small things, it's even more difficult for those who struggle with major issues, but still try and remain worthy. Let me give you an example: I attend BYU as a music major. For some reason, the arts tend to attract people with homosexual tendencies. Even at BYU, many of my good friends struggle with same-sex attraction. They're good people and some of the most talented students that we have at the school, but they're under almost a don't ask/don't tell type of policy. Officially they're welcome to attend BYU as long as they maintain the standards like anyone else, but they often deal with persecution and ostracization from so-called Christians who find out about them. Prejudice like that is unacceptable. The quickest way to kill the arts is to start making life difficult for those who don't fit the perfect normal mold.

I don't want this to be just a rant on accepting people who struggle with sin. I have friends who felt like they were resented by some members of their congregation simply because they drank caffeine or watched r-rated movies or had some odd hobby. Whether or not you think that those things are sins, there are surely better causes that you can put your time into than stamping out Pepsi and Coke's presence in Utah. Just remember that we as a people need to be more tolerant and loving overall, and less rigid, judgemental, and exclusive.