Comments on: What About Jer3miah?

By: Wm Morris

Wm Morris — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:55:53 +0000

I haven’t watched it yet, but I hesitate to label anything in art spiritual realism. I prefer the term Mormon folk realism. But I reserve the right to reverse myself after watching the series.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:22:37 +0000

I just finished watching all 20 episodes and I have to say, despite the obvious flaws in acting, production value, etc., I’m hooked. I like the spiritual realism that’s at work here and think the show may be opening doors to great things. (At least that’s what I hope.)

By: Jared

Jared — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:10:48 +0000

Some interesting insights into the formal and doctrinal elements in Jer3miah that seem to be spurring such a fascinating debate:

http://gideonburton.typepad.com/gideon_burtons_blog/2009/06/jer3miah.html

By: William Morris

William Morris — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:09:24 +0000

Or to put things another way: the problem with Mormon faith in Mormon capacity is that in many ways we have a bizarre situation viz a viz the institutional LDS Church and U.S. cultural production. I don’t know that it’s absolutely unique (and Mormons would do well to better understand their hyphenated brethren and sistren), but it’s peculiarly unique.

By: William Morris

William Morris — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:07:04 +0000

I was going to post on the same thing last night but didn’t and have to admit to some blogger jealousy flowing in Dallas’ direction this morning when I checked Google reader, but my post is going in a completely different direction so I think I’ll still try and write it up and post it tonight or tomorrow morning.

But to get back to the Th’s point about Mormon faith in Mormon capacity: the more I dig in to this whole Mormon arts and Mormon studies and Mormon culture thing, the more I am convinced that a key mission of Mormon artists at this historical moment in time is to understand and dramatize both the tragedy and the triumph of the LDS people’s (both forced and desperately desired and worked for) assimilation in to American society and how the consequences of that semi-assimilation is going to play out.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:14:45 +0000

This reminds me of Dallas’s post yesterday. You should read it. Between it and the Brillig post I read, I’m worried about Mormon faith in Mormon capacity.

And that is why, I think, the radical middle matters, as Wm. keeps pointing out—because those of us who stake our claim there try, I believe, to observe both worlds (inside and outside Mormonism) and to negotiate the narrow passage between them (though I know what you mean when you say you’re “still poisoned with the if-it’s-mormon-it-must-suck poison”—I find myself suffering from that disease myself sometimes).

By: Th.

Th. — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:13:22 +0000

. I watched the first episode not long after it came out. The primary reason I didn't continue was impatience with web video. But I will admit that I also had a heightened skepticism. Although I believe deeply in Mormon art's potential and try to support the Mormon arts best I can, I am still poisoned with the if-it's-mormon-it-must-suck poison of years past. This reminds me of Dallas's post yesterday. You should read it. Between it and the Brillig post I read, I'm worried about Mormon faith in Mormon capacity.

By: Gerrit

Gerrit — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:52:10 +0000

Thanks, Kent, for the comments about Jer3miah. It really is a revolutionary idea and worth experiencing just to see new media used in this way.

As far as the Utah County perception of various forms of Mormon art: it is encouraging to see UVU with its burgeoning Mormon Studies initiative; this is a refreshing new trend in the area.

By: Brillig

Brillig — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:15:05 +0000

First of all, thanks for the linky love!

I agree that Jer3miah is absolutely worth watching. I think it’s pioneering a new age in LDS media and I’m excited to see where it takes us. (And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hit “refresh” on the Jer3miah home page, waiting for that season finale to be put up today!)

Great article!