Chronicles of an LDS Artist

Gordon B. Hinckley once said, "In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

My name is Benjamin Hunter and I am a happy member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love my faith and I love my Heavenly Father. I am also an actor, a singer and a songwriter; officially my title is: LDS Artist (or performer). Allow me to quickly describe my life and my purpose in writing this blog...

I have always had a passion for performing, ever since I was a kid really - as cliché as that sounds. I have been singing and songwriting since I was fourteen and it's something I truly love doing as it's a way for me to express my inner-most self in an appropriate way. I studied musical theatre in Scotland, where I was born and raised, and I loved studying the art. I was taught some very important skills and technicalities to acting, dancing and singing. However, a lot changed for me as far as the arts are concerned during my time participating in the first British Pageant of the LDS church.

I portrayed Alexander Baird, one of the five youth narrators; I can truly say that during my 3 weeks spent in Chorley, England - at the British Pageant - my life was turned around. I learned the most valuable lessons of my life, so far. You may think that's a far-fetched statement because 'it is only playing a part in a production' - however, due to the fact it was a religious LDS production my testimony was strengthened and my love for God has become far greater than it ever has been. It was an honour to be involved in such a historic and life-changing event for many people, however the things I learned personally will forever stay with me.

I learned how to truly love everyone. It is a difficult thing to put into practice - but I learned how to do it. Our glorious director Alex Johns taught me this. She taught me, by example, how to be kind and how to accept all types of people with open arms.

I also learned more about the arts than I have in my whole life. I learned that the arts and more specifically theatre is a blessing to us from Heavenly Father. He has a purpose for everything. He has a purpose for theatre - a purpose that is so sacred. I learned what that purpose was during those three weeks in Chorley: to uplift and strengthen others and to bring them to Christ. I learned that theatre can have an eternal perspective. How grateful I am to David Warner, Ray Robinson and Alex Johns (along with some others) for teaching me this and helping me understand/realise this.

Those lessons are so important to me. I want to perform for the rest of my life and more specifically, for my church; for the Lord. He blessed me with my talents and abilities and I feel so humbled by that. I feel prepared for this kind of work and I feel as though I've found my calling in life!

I am moving to Bountiful, Utah, USA on the 4th October to be involved in more of this sacred work and how grateful I am for this opportunity. I get choked up thinking about the experience I am about to have. I feel like the more I do theatre for the Lord, the closer I am to Him and to Heaven. That's how fulfilling this work is. It is so beautiful and it makes me happy. I love it. It is fun. It is glorious. It is my life.

I will forever stand by that statement by President Hinckley! We of course, have great trials before us that we must overcome; however positivity and a trust in the Lord is so important. There is no point in just getting through life for the sake of getting through it!! We have to enjoy it and love it; love others; love the beauty of the earth; love the Lord; love His plan.

My goal and aim in life is to try and inspire others, make them happy and uplift them. No one deserves to be unhappy! We must strive to be better people everyday. I know this to be completely true.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog entries and, reading about my experiences in the USA and in the theatre. God bless you.

[ Photo by Marie Barber; Benjamin Hunter rehearsing at The British Pageant 2013 ]