Today at Education Week, Elder David A. Bednar delivered an address “To Sweep the Earth As With A Flood.”

He explained that technology and social media are gifts from God that will allow us—as we use them properly—to further His work in remarkable ways.

We are blessed to live, learn, and serve in this most remarkable dispensation.  An important aspect of the fullness that is available to us in this special season is a miraculous progression of innovations and inventions that have enabled and accelerated the work of salvation: from trains to telegraphs to radios to automobiles to airplanes to telephones to transistors to televisions to computers to satellite transmissions to the Internet—and to an almost endless list of technologies and tools that bless our lives.  All of these advancements are part of the Lord hastening His work in the latter days.

He then talked about how pervasive social media has become and stated the following:

The Lord is hastening His work, and it is no coincidence that these powerful communication innovations and inventions are occurring in the dispensation of the fullness of times.  Social media channels are global tools that can personally and positively impact large numbers of individuals and families.  And I believe the time has come for us as disciples of Christ to use these inspired tools appropriately and much more effectively to testify of God the Eternal Father and His plan of happiness for His children, of His Son Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, to proclaim the reality of the restoration of the gospel in the latter days, and to accomplish the Lord’s work.

He reminded us to respect the property of others and not use someone else’s photo, art, name, music, or video without their permission. He then announced the following:

To assist you in creating uplifting gospel messages, we are pleased to announce that the content in the Media Library on LDS.org, unless otherwise indicated, has been cleared for use by members without seeking permission from the Church.  Additional information about the use of Church media can be found at social.lds.org.

Note: Images that cannot be used without permission are clearly marked “Do Not Copy” or “Image to be used for Church-related purposes only.” 

He challenged us as follows:

Brothers and sisters, what has been accomplished thus far in this dispensation communicating gospel messages through social media channels is a good beginning—but only a small trickle.  I now extend to you the invitation to help transform the trickle into a flood.  Beginning at this place on this day, I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy—and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood.

Watch the entire talk or read the text.

This address by Elder Bednar is a continuation of his 2009 talk “Things as They Really Are.”