In an ever-changing world the work of the Lord has changed
with it. Of course, the message has not changed, but the methods of delivering
have become more effective. Being more effective is imperative if the prophesy
that Joseph Smith received in 1833, foretelling a day when “every man
shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own
language” (D&C 90:11),
is to come true. The Lord has provided a way for this to happen, but as always,
He uses us to implement his plan, to be missionaries and use the Internet to
spread the gospel.
I
only recently realized that this is a calling to everyone. The January after I
got home from my mission, the first semester back in school, I received a
calling to be a “ward online missionary”. I had thought it as one of those
‘filler’ callings, the ones they give to you when they had filled up all the
others. Until today, I had believed that, until I read the talk “Sharing the
Gospel Using the Internet” by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the twelve apostles.
It made me realize that as an awkward return missionary my first step to
fulfilling this calling was to be aware and in-tune with the changes that had
happened while I was on my mission.
I
remember the first time on Facebook after my mission, struggling to simply
update my profile picture. After adapting to the changes I started posting
pictures, posts and updates about my life, as many people do today using their
words and photos to share funny moments or topics of interest. In the past the
printing press was where these ideas were born and then shared, and still are. Yet
Elder Ballard points out that today our modern printing press is the Internet
and not as strictly controlled of who is seen and heard. As we learn what modes
of sharing are around us, we have the power of being part of what is seen in
the world.
With
that power there is responsibility, like all good things there is opposition.
Elder Ballard says, “The Internet can be used to proclaim the gospel of Jesus
Christ and can just as easily be used to market the filth and sleaze of pornography.”
We have the ability to create a positive vibe and defend our beliefs on social media.
The
responsibility of an online missionary is more than idly watching others and
‘liking’ religious posts. By way of an apostle we are commanded to participate
in these conversations about the church. Elder Ballard uses the word
“encouraged”, because he knows that in every commandment there are blessings
waiting for us on the other side. There are just too many people in the world
with questions for the church officials and full time missionaries to answer
them all. The Lord needs us to be searching for ways to preach the gospel.
There
are many ways that we can share the gospel via Internet: Facebook, other social
media, blogs, and communication applications. One of the ways I have learned to
continue to share the gospel using the Internet is through Skype, Facebook, and
other communication devices to continue talking to recent converts in Brazil. I
believe it is true that every people will know the truth in their own tongue,
but we are the keys to the lock of spreading truth. There are no ‘filler’
callings, all direct us to share the gospel and touch lives in one way or
another. Each one of us have a different unique way that we can use our talents
to spread the gospel, and the Internet has made it even more possible to
fulfill our responsibilities as member missionaries.
