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Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock (or just busy like me) you would have noticed that mormon.org was recently changed. I noticed this sometime in late September. The changes are welcomed as the website keeps its simple architecture and is well organized for potential investigators.
The navigation tabs on the top are evidently the most important parts of the website:
- Basic Beliefs
- Worship With Us
- Ask A Question
I like that things are straight forward and to the point. Information is readily available for finding out what our Church really is about and cover:
- The Restoration of Truth
- Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness
- Jesus Christ: Our Savior
- The Commandments
- Membership in Christ’s Church
- And the ability to Chat Live with Missionaries.
This website is a strong missionary tool. However, it can be an even better tool if we use it in our daily lives. As members, we are constantly asked about our faith and our beliefs. Along with explaining what we believe and bearing our testimonies, referring people to mormon.org can reinforce what we teach.
Every Member a Missionary. It only takes a few moments to mention mormon.org to someone. Our brothers and sisters are waiting to hear our message about the restored gospel. It is my hope that we can all listen extra carefully to the promptings of the spirit and act on when it comes to sharing our truths.
Shortly after being baptized, a brother in the bishopric told me to begin a journal and write down my feelings and events that happened so I can read and reflect what I felt at the time. Also, it would be useful for my children and future generations to see what I was feeling as a modern day pioneer.
I would soon find out where this sage advise originated from.
Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stated:
Begin today and write in it your goings and your comings, your deeper thoughts, your achievements, and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. We hope you will do this, our brothers and sisters, for this is what the Lord has commanded, and those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives.
Just as Nephi kept records for the people who would come in the latter days, we should so the same.
I’ve searched the internet for the perfect way to keep a journal electronically and recently came across a website whose purpose is for Latter Saints to Journal online – LDSJournal.com. This is convenient and keeps your entries safe. Entries can be made via a regular web browser on a computer or done mobile via text messaging. It also promotes consistent journaling through the reminder tools it provides. Best of all, it’s FREE!
I’ve been trying it for a few days and it seems to be the ultimate solution.
The other week in priesthood meeting, one of the members mentioned a new website that was launched by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aimed at explaining the life and teachings of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The website can be seen by going to: http://jesuschrist.lds.org
An article from the Official LDS Newsroom says that it was almost a year in the making. I suspected that this website was planned to coincide with the March special editions of two of the Church’s official magazines, the Ensign and the Liahona, which also focus on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
One of my favorite parts of the new Jesus Christ website is the witnesses of the 16 presidents (prophets) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Just another tool to show that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DO believe in Jesus Christ.
Also, here is the Official Church Video about the new website as well:
According to an article in the Deseret Morning News, Elder Ballard addresses that the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints need to join the global conversation and use new technology to stand up for what they believe in.
“There are conversations going on about the church constantly,” Elder Ballard said. “Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot sit on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the church teaches.”
This month has brought a lot of attention, negative and positive, to the Church and it is up to us as members to take the attention as an opportunity for missionary work. There will be a lot of people with questions about our beliefs and it is up us to answer them.
LDS faithful can change perceptions of the church “one conversation at a time,” through a clear and simple message of the Restoration. Elder Ballard said the Internet is a great tool to start these conversations. In his remarks, he suggested members consider the following:
- Start a blog “and share what you know to be true.”
- Download videos from official church and other appropriate sites and send them to your friends.
- Comment on news media sites that report on the church “and voice your views as to the accuracy of the reports.”
Elder Ballard continues:
“Do not be afraid to share with others your story, your experiences as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ,” Elder Ballard said. “We all have interesting stories that influence our identity. Sharing those stories is a non-threatening way to talk to others. Telling those stories can help demystify the church.”
I feel it is wonderful that the Church embraces technology to share the Gospel:
- The Official Church website has tons of information for members and non-members alike.
- The Church has provided us with an online Scripture Edition that is easy to use and quite frankly a necessity for myself.
- The Church Public Affairs has created an official profile on YouTube and has been releasing videos.
- The Church provides an area for News Releases, Stories, Commentary, Statistical and Background Information at their Newsroom website.
- There is even an official Technology website called LDSTech just for the Church.
Members seem to be doing their part as well with the following:
- LDS & Mormon Blogs – A non-church ran directory of LDS bloggers.
Other Links:
- Official Church Press Release: Apostle Urges Students to Use New Media
- Full Video of Elder Ballards Speech
Official YouTube Video:
I remember visiting mormon.org a few months ago and I believe this is the same woman (Jennifer) that impressed me with what she had to say. Click here to view the video on mormon.org.
More of what she has to say has been posted up on YouTube a few hours ago, here they are:
Jennifer: Return to be with God
Jennifer: Marriage is Eternal
The next video is about Oscar, a Mormon who talks about his mother passing away when he was five years old. Even though it was not enough time for them to be together, he knows that families can be eternal and that he will see her again.
Oscar: Families Should Be Eternal
The final video is Issiah speaking about his observations of life. The monotonousness of life, the tragedies on this world and seeing the misery around him makes him realize that there has to be more to life. And I believe he is right, there is!
More to Life Than This
These are very good videos about the questions that everyone has in life. I am glad to see the Church putting these up on YouTube to share with everyone.
While browsing around the Internet tonight, I cam across an interesting post about a Facebook.com Application being sold. It just so happened to be a “LDS App” written by Jesse Stay.
On another blog, by Thom Allen, says that the More Good Foundation, a Utah Non-Profit whose mission states “The More Good Foundation helps persons of all faiths find accurate information about the Mormon Church on the Internet.”, appears to be the purchaser.
Thom also states that the application was purchased for $2.00 USD per user, with an estimated 13,000 Facebook users using the application.
Very cool news for Jesse!
With the Church being as large as it is, it makes sense that there is definitely some technology that runs behind the scenes to get the message out there, to keep members connected and have things organized and running smooth. I utilize their websites everyday using www.mormon.org and the scriptures.lds.org websites to read and learn more about things.
It is amazing how organized the Church is and this site just goes to show how much work and effort is being done for a great cause.
tech.lds.org provides a glimpse into the inner-workings and the people behind the scenes that make it all possible. Being in the tech field myself, I found humor in the following post:
A good friend and one-time co-worker of mine once sent me a postcard while on vacation. On the postcard was written the following:
#include <stdio.h>
int main(int argc, char ** argv)
{
/* Print the greeting */
printf(“Hello from California!\n\r”);
printf(“My family and I are having a wonderful time.\n\r”);
printf(“We went to the beach and to some theme parks.\n\r”);
printf(“The weather has been wonderful.\n\r”);
printf(“I should be back to work next week.\n\r\n\r”);
printf(“Your friend\n\r”);/* Exit the program with a success status */
return(0);}
LDS Pad: The Journey Back to Heavenly Father 
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