“Creativity is a characteristic of God,” Brian Kinghorn, a religion professor at BYU-Idaho and this week’s devotional speaker said. He wanted to speak about how we become like God and enjoy life more fully as we become divine creators.
Kinghorn loves art, and as a young man he dreamed of becoming an illustrator. Growing up, his three passions were, outdoors, sports and art. He figured one day he could combine the three and paint athletes and outdoor scenery.
After Kinghorn’s mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he decided he would start the seminary teaching program instead. However, this didn’t mean he would let go of his passion for art.
“Over the years since then… my creative outlet has been in photography,” he said in an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio. “I love to use Photoshop for editing.”
For those who don’t think they are creative, Kinghorn believes this is a misunderstanding of what creation is. Creativity doesn’t just take the form of art, it can be found in other areas of our lives.
He quoted Mary Ellen Smoot who said, “You are creators. Have you ever coaxed a smile from a baby? Have you ever taught someone to forgive? Have you helped someone learn to read? Prepared a family home evening? Organized a family reunion...If you have done some of these things, you have been creative.”
Creating helps people connect with God. When we find common ground with people, we connect with them, he explained. The same is with Heavenly Father. He is the creator.
Creativity is defined as bringing something into existence.
“To create means to bring something forth and that can be anything,” he said. “Ultimately I think the greatest act of creation is in the family.”
Becoming a father has taught him characteristics of justice, mercy, long-suffering and patience. He believes he couldn’t have learned these traits any other way.
“I hope that those who may not be in a family setting right now that they would like to have, don’t despair, there are still opportunities for all sorts of creation outside of family to learn about God,” he said in his interview with BYU-Idaho Radio. “I do know that in all forms of creation we have an opportunity to build a relationship with Him.
In devotional he invited students to create.
“Make something, do something and learn something,” he said. “Ultimately, I invite you to look forward to and be involved in the creation of an eternal family. You can create and you can learn more about God through creation.”