Episode 88 - “Creativity in Adapting to Change” J. Kirk Richards on the Gather Conference Mainstage 2025
Acclaimed artist J. Kirk Richards gives an unforgettable presentation, "Creativity in Adapting to Change" on the main stage of the 3rd annual Gather Conference in 2025.
Kirk speaks on creativity and adapting to change, using early Latter-day Saint history to show how dancing shifted from condemned to a sanctioned, even ritualized practice. He shares personal pain around narrow church messaging about families and how his marriage partner Amy and their children chose not to participate in church, while he maintains connection through playing organ, serving on LDS arts and academic boards, and creating new family Sunday rituals. Citing 1 Corinthians 13, he frames love as creative and adaptive, and explains how his art has signaled safety and support for LGBTQIA+ loved ones and communities, expressing hope that courage, creativity, and love will expand belonging in the future.
00:00 Meet J Kirk Richards
01:26 Creativity And Change
01:58 Mormon Dancing History
06:40 Adaptation In Faith
07:21 Family And Belonging
09:45 Love As A Practice
11:01 Painting Rainbow Witness
13:03 Hopeful Future Vision
14:05 Closing Thanks
About J. Kirk Richards:
"J Kirk Richards is a visual artist known for his work, addressing inclusive and religious themes. He's painted works for Encircle, for Lift and Love, and for Flourish Therapy, and his work has been published in diverse church magazines, including the Liahona. He was born and raised in Provo, Utah. He earned a bachelor in visual arts at BYU, and for the last 25 years has worked full-time as a studio artist. In 2020, Kirk started JKR gallery in Provo, a community art gallery that hosts monthly themed artworks by emerging artists. He also started an art academy that teaches professional art skills to adults of many ages. Kirk and his marriage partner Amy have four creative children. They live in the mountainside town of Woodland Hills, Utah. One of the things I admire most about Kirk is that he pays it forward, that he makes a place to feature other artists. And when your success is growing, that seems like the time to pour more and more energy into what you're doing... and he has somehow made time to pour more and more energy into paving the way for others"
Learn more about J. Kirk Richards here: https://www.jkirkrichards.com/index.html
The Gather Conference (a Lift+Love event) is an annual conference held in Provo, Utah. Gather Conference is a Christ-centered gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. The upcoming Gather Conference is November 13-14, 2026. Learn more about the Gather Conference here: www.gather-conference.com
Lift+Love provides faith-affirming and identity-affirming support and resources for Latter-day Saint individuals and their families, friends, leaders, and allies. Learn more about the Lift+Love Foundation here: www.liftandlove.org/about
