I'd like to investigate this subject a little with everyone:

Its a personal issue, but one that I think has very pertinent
application to the issue of copyrighs and all that. I'm wondering
how people feel about creating art that is gospel-themed (essentially
inspirational or testimony bearing)... AND making money from it.
This subject came up on the AML list, which is an LDS writers group,
specifically about general authorities and the question of wether
they use their "celebrity" to sell books. Actually, not just GA's,
but celebrities in general. They questioned wether Colin Powell's
leadership book would seel as much if it weren't for his celebrity
status. Or Stephen Covey "borrowing" principles from the gospel and
turning them into a multi-million dollar money tree. I'm not saying
I am in agreeance with all those points, but they were interesting to
read and they do make you stop and examine things.

As it relates to music, are there lines that we should draw when it
comes to making money from music that is inspirational? What if we
are making inspirational music and the only reason some people are
even interested in it, is because it is about gospel subjects. In
that scenario, if we make a profit from that, have we used the gospel
to create income for ourselves? If so, would it be wrong?

I honestly don't have an answer for that. Kind of a pickle. I know
I have wondered a little about the ethics of using the fact that I am
LDS as a means to market myself to the LDS audience. It makes me
feel a little wierd. I mean, shouldn't they buy my music because it
is good, and not because we belong to the same church? Yet, success
in the world's market brings with it so many things that I just don't
want. Not to mention that many LDS may not feel comfortable buying
my music unless they know I'm LDS and I hold the same standards.

Man, this is supposed to be the day of rest, and here I am working my
brain overtime.

-Clay