FUN

I've heard it asked of us 'Mormons' from time to time if we can have fun. I suppose the answer to that would be dependent upon the asker's definition of fun. In short:

YES

In long: Just so long as it is not something that conflicts with the tenants of the church. I rather enjoy going to conventions (nerd that I am), and while there either being rather quite or making a fool of myself. I believe that God does, and like to smile. I believe that he also wants us to smile, to be happy. I do not belive in a God that demands his children to be seroius and somber at all times. Rather, I belive in a God that wants us to be happy, and a way that leads to happiness (though it may be short lived) is fun. That said, I also believe that fun is the lesser appendage of Joy. Joy I think is the greater of the two. And I know for a fact (for the scriptures teach as such) that God wants us to have joy. "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." 2 Nephi 2:25

ART

Art is a bit of a generic term...but for the purpose of this post, I mean sculpture, painting, etc...(I'm afraid my knowledge about Art unto itself is limited). And the answer would be:

YES

It is by faith inspired paintings that we can feel God's love, his spirit, and his wish. By that I mean, what his purpose and glory is (which is): "...to bring to pass the ^cimmortality and ^deternal ^elife of man" (Moses 1: 39). I can remember catching a glance of a very simple picture. It was of a little girl in a blue robe, standing next to an off white robe. I could not see who it was that wore that robe, but I knew who it was. It was a picture of a little girl, who was full of love and innocence, looking up with admiration at Jesus. My heart got caught in my neck, and I was stunned for a few moments. It is touching moments like that, that lead me to believe that God delights in his artists. Provided they use their gift for good. Does all art have to be spiritual in nature? No. We are individuals, and we are free to express ourselves, but so long as we stay within the boundaries God has set.

DATING

Dating? Yes. In-fact, that is the means by which we find our spouses! Or rather, dating is, to me, the 'process' as it were, of figuring out whether or not you and another individual are compatible. Some say that us Mormon guys date to marry. There is truth to that. But, what I suspect happens is that we guys forget that dating does not HAVE to end in marriage. Dating can be just for fun. I hear from some that the thought that flows through a Mormon guy's head is, "I don't know if I should date her. Do I really want to end up marrying her?" This seems a bit extreme if I might say so. Methinks it would be good if such thoughts came much later down the dating timeline as it were. How long should one date before considering 'popping the question'? I havn't a clue! The irony of the thing is that I've done very little dating myself.  But what I do know is what church leaders have said, and that is to date! Oh, and as a note: I've heard time and time again, that there is no 'one' out there. That is, the 'one' that is perfect, or that God had chosen. I may be very wrong on this, but I suspect that such cases are rare. For the vast majority of us, we have the freedom to choose. If we feel that she would be a good choice, and she feels the same way (for the man is not without the woman, neither is the woman without the man [see 1 Corinthians 11:11]), then chances are, God will approve. But, as it goes without really saying, one must always ask and receive a testimony for oneself. I suspect that knowing that God himself approves of your marriage must be such a nice feeling.

STAYING UP LATE (Past say....10pm?)

D&C 88: 124 says:
Cease to be ^aidle; cease to be ^bunclean; cease to ^cfind fault one with another; cease to ^dsleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be ^einvigorated. (Emphases added)

 So, umm...I guess that makes the fact that I am writing this post at 2:14am a bit....hypocritical...

God of course takes in allowances for circumstances. If one's job is a night shift, then that's fine. If one's life situation is such that an early bed time is impossible (say, babies, loud neighbors, medical conditions, etc...) then God also understands. It is the principle, or spirit of the law that applies here. To me, it is a principle of self-control, and healthy habits. If we follow these commandments (as best as circumstance allows), because given the wording I find it hard to see them as anything else, then God will bless us. I have no excuse. I perfectly have the power to go to bed early and rise early. But I don't ('cause of bad habits and the what not), and because of that, my mind usually feels rather dull and I feel unmotivated to do just about anything (productive that is). See also: D&C 89 for more health commandments and guidlines as well as blessings for following them.

MUSIC

Yes. Music is what often brings us to a higher (or lower) emotional state. Music can inspire and motivate. This is the kind of music that we aspire to listen to. Specifically, music that is uplifting. What does that mean? Well, after listing to a song, did it make you feel as though God would approve? Did it make you happy? I generally tend to favor softer music that may or may not have uplifting lyrics (and by that I mean it may or may not have lyrics). Of course, I would be lair if I said that is ALL I listen to. I will admit, I love loud bass. And I do have a weakness for music that tends to be a bit more aggressive. While I actually do believe that it would be better if I avoided these things, I am uncertain if they could be considered a sin.

I WILL say however, that there is indeed some music that is very simply a no no. It is very difficult to divorce mmy own personal bias from the Church's stance, so I'll abstain from saying which kinds of music are a no no. But the scriptures teach us this:
  Moroni 7: 12-13, 17
12: Wherefore, all things which are ^agood cometh of God; and that which is ^bevil cometh of the devil...
13: ...that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do ^agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and ^benticeth to do ^cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is ^dinspired of God.
17: But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do ^aevil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil

MOVIES

"...If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, we see after these things." (Articles of Faith, v.13) Movies are kinda awesome. Some of theme even inspire and uplift the viewers. When asked, "can a Mormon watch movies?"(which technically I've never been ask that exact question, but that's aside from the point) the answer would be yes, so long as that movie follows these guidelines:

1. No R or equivalent rated movies (or movies that are even worse, and even some PG-13 [and equivalent])
2. No foul languge (kinda hard to find movies without that nowadays)
3. No immorality (this includes ladies [or dudes for that matter] wearing very little cloth, or clothes that...stir the imagination shall we say)
4. Hypertense suspense.
5. Excessive violence. This would include graphic gore, violent acts (by that I mean, cruel acts. Torture for example)

Again, these are guidelines, and are my opinions.

Also: When selecting a movie, it is good to think, would Jesus pick this movie? I know that's a slightly corny line, but we in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints want to be like Jesus, as in, the same kind of person as he was. So, when we ask, WWJD? We also ask, WWJD/T(hink)/W(ant)/F(eel about this). Movies are a good test of character, because all sorts of things that are offensive sneak in all over the place. So, "...watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear." (Alma 13: 28) 'cause let's face it, sometimes movies (ok, anything really) puts things into our heads that we wish for many years afterwards were never put into there.

SWEARING

Heck no! As the Lord teaches in the Bible:

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7.) So no swearing in the name of the Lord, or in other words, no using the Lord's name (or title for that matter) as a swear.

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Col. 3:8. Italics added) Often swear words are a means to communicate an emphases of emotion. One can be mad, or one can be mad as ****. The latter sounds stronger. Or, she could be mean, or she could be...well, the point is that these words are often used to make something have more impact as it were. Also, such words are often used as a means to offend or hurt someone. Could such a thing be acceptable to God? If we take the Apostle's words as if the Lord himself was speaking (which is how it is, see D&C 21:5 see also Titus 1:3), then we are disobeying God's commands, and thus, we offend God. 

We, as saints and disciples of God, try our best to obey his words. Therefore, can a Mormon swear? Nope. I mean, anyone can technically swear as in they have the physical ability to; I mean, it's kinda easy, it's just a small handful of words; but Mormons cannot in good conscious use such language. And, if God's commands apply to all, then, technically speaking, no one should be using such language.