Elder David A. Bednar has given us this challenge: “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….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.”
Members are responding by using social media and blogs to share their testimonies of the Savior and His restored gospel. Many others want to engage, but don’t really know where to start.
Here’s a quick review of the more common social media sites and ideas on what you can do on each one to promote messages of peace, hope, and joy that accompany faith in Christ.
Facebook.com is one of the largest social networking sites on the internet, with nearly 2.5 billion active users worldwide. You can create a profile page and then follow the pages of your friends and family. You can share status updates, photos, videos, event invitations, and links to other websites.
When you see something inspiring on Facebook, like it, leave a comment, and share it so your friends can be inspired by it as well. If your friends like it and share it, Facebook will show it to their friends as well. As friends of your friends like it and share it, it will be shown to the friends of their friends. The reach of one post can increase exponentially.
Here is a list of the Church’s Facebook pages. In addition to the main Church account, there are accounts for various interests, such as news and family history. Church leaders regularly post messages and photos on their Facebook pages.
Twitter.com is a social networking and microblogging site. It lets you “tweet” (broadcast) brief messages on your profile page. Tweets contain a maximum of 280 characters and may include web links and attached photos. You can follow people you find interesting and read their Tweets.
When you read a message on Twitter that inspires you, retweet it so that people who follow you can see it as well.
Here is a list of the Church Twitter accounts. In addition to the main Church account, there are accounts for various interests, such as news and family history. Church leaders regularly post messages and photos on their Twitter accounts.
Pinterest.com is an online visual bulletin board for collecting and storing ideas. It helps you keep track of your favorite finds from around the web in one organized location. You can create different boards and “pin” items to them. You can connect with other users by following their boards to find and share new ideas.
When you see something you like on Pinterest, repin it to one of your boards so you can refer to it later and so your friends who follow your boards can see it as well.
Here is a list of the Church pages on Pinterest.
Instagram.com is a fun, fast, and simple way to share your life through photos and short videos. Take a picture, add a filter if you like, and instantly share it for all your Instagram followers to see. Instagram is a creative visual tool to help you stay connected with friends and family.
When you see something inspiring on Instagram, like it, leave a comment, and share it so your friends can be inspired by it as well.
Here is a list of the Church’s Instagram accounts.
YouTube
YouTube.com is a video-sharing site where you can upload and share videos.
When you watch something inspiring on YouTube, like it, leave a comment, and share it so your friends can be inspired by it as well.
Here is a list of the Church’s YouTube channels.
Blogs
A blog is a site where you publish regular entries called “posts,” typically displayed with the most recent post first. The word blog is a truncation of the expression web log.
A blog is an easy way to publish uplifting gospel messages. Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true.”
Here are simple step-by-step instructions on how to create, design, and promote your blog.
The article above is a beginner’s summary of basic things you can do. For more easy, practical ways to use technology and social media to hasten the Lord’s work, see the book 101 Ways to Hasten the Work Online.
The publisher now offers this book FREE, see details.
Continue reading at the original source →