Here’s what I contributed:
To an extent I would say that ‘Porn is in the eye of the beholder’. Pres. Kimball once said that a boy and a girl can kiss and while the girl may be white as snow, the boy may be sinning (very liberally paraphrasing). I think you know (and the Lord knows) what is in your mind and heart. My friend is an art major and sees the human body as truly the pinnacle of God’s creation and as something that is divinely beautiful! When nude art is properly done she thinks it’s a grand celebration of said beauty. I think this is true and if we all thought as purely as they did in the Garden nudity would not be a problem at all.

However, the opposing vice is that people will always be tempted to see the nude art in lewd and shady ways. A nude painting may be viewed by half the patrons as a wonderful testament to the creation and gift of life, while the other half see it in a more degrading manner. So the question is: Should freedom of speech prevail and let the sinners take responsibility for their own thoughts? Should we run the risk of exposing children to ‘adult material’ and take it all down instead?

I personally can see both arguments -I actually enjoy art a lot and seeing breasts in a setting like the MOMA just doesn’t do it for me- but in the end my opinion is: given the problem it causes, I think the body can be celebrated clothed/draped (even if it’s scant) just as easily as fully naked. I think it’s a shame that Satan would ruin something so sacred for us, but that’s what he’s here to do.

One more note: Remember meaning making– Venus naked on a couch (or sea shell or whatever) vs. ‘Trixie Hotstuff’ naked on a couch in a Penthouse– what’s the difference? I’d submit motivation/ calculation. I don’t believe Venus was meant to be hung in Nudie-club bathrooms while Hustler and Playboy were designed with less than reputable intentions.

However, I believe the artists intentions are only half the story. I suggest that YOUR interpretation also needs to go into the calculation. Someone could just as easily be aroused by Trixie as Venus as someone with a fetish getting stimulated by a cartoon character on a kids TV show. Does that make it pornography?

We who lived in the concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: The last of the human freedoms - to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

Granted that every rule (including this very one) has exceptions.

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/utah/preserves/art5830.html

Goblin Valley state park is fun, as is Arches National Park. Topaz mountain is a fun destination if you’re into rockhounding, though a bit remote.

I’ve gotten good at doing the bubble letters at the top of the pages. I really like that to help me see at a glance what topic is at that page. They are often an example of a homily. I did not know what that word meant and looked it up and want to look even more for those to put as my titles. Here’s some of my most recent examples: “…sufficiently retained in remembrance..”., “…sing the song of redeeming love…”, “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” LIke you said, a whole sermon could be written off of these. Well I could go on and on but I just want to say that I am very grateful to you. It has made a huge difference in the effectiveness of my scripture study time! Thanks, April and Ben!