General Conference & Social Media

What?

General Conference this weekend!  The whole world anxiously waits to hear from our church leaders. Living prophets who speak to us the words of God.  In an effort to reach more people, the church has embraced social media, with all it’s quirks & idiosyncrasies.  Even before the world echoed “Amen” to the Opening Session’s closing prayer, there were quotes, pictures, comics, and memes spread Facebook & Twitter account, & post regularly to them.  People are encouraged to comment, share, and make their own. 

across the internet.  Every one of the General Authorities have their own Facebook & twitter account, & post regularly to them.  People are encouraged to comment, share, and make their own.

Have you done it yet? What stands out to you most from Conference?  If you were to make someone’s talk into a one-liner, what would you quote?  What would you show?  How would you portray it?

Some of the “official” art is a quote overlaid on a photograph; some of them are quite abstract; some are just words.  What speaks to you?

Elder M. Russell Ballard’s talk, last year, encouraged everyone to use Social Media to spread the word of God to their friends & colleagues.  When someone scrolls through your Facebook page, do they know that you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?  Do they know you have a testimony of the Living God?  Do they know you live and love the Gospel?

So, I know you know!  But how do you say it?  Are you an in-your-face fanatic who overwhelms your listeners with uber-enthusiasm?  Are you a quiet, minimalist who is too shy to shout your testimony?  Are you on Facebook or Twitter because your friends are?  Or because it’s good for business?  What drives you?!

So What?

Why does this matter?  Why does participating in social media about the church make a difference?  On my Facebook page, there are lots of people who are members of the church, and there are many who are either not a member, or they have fallen away.  My positive words of a gospel message may be the only bit of religion they get.  Am I on Facebook to post cat pictures & show what I ate for lunch today?  Maybe.  But I can also add a bit of my religion convictions & testimony to the list of things that my friends see.

Now what?

I want to challenge all of us who read this blog to post something on our social media of choice.  Post something of a gospel nature that will lift and enlighten those who see it.  Go to www.lds.org to the Media Library & choose a speaker from this weekend's Conference, and find a quote that speaks to you, & post it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or send it out in an email to those you know.  Write one or two lines to go with it - What is it?  How does it make you feel?  Why do you believe this to be true?

You never know who's soul it might touch as you stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places!