Missionaries and Social Media

In June 2013, President Thomas S. Monson made a big announcement that missionaries will now be able to begin using the Internet and social media sites in their missionary service.  LDS missionaries can use Facebook, blogs, email, and Mormon.org to seek out interested people, answer questions, and #ShareGoodness.

Why will there be continual "improvements in the way we perform missionary work," (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland; Penrod, 2013)?  Elder L. Tom Parry answered that question: "The Church must adapt to a changing world," (Penrod, 2013).

We live in an ever-changing world.  Knocking on doors to spread the gospel is considered more "old school," and people may be more open to someone on Facebook or someone they have a connection with.  The goal of allowing missionaries to use social media is this: to reach more people who are not of the LDS faith.  It's as simple as that.

"With the blessings of modern technology, we can express gratitude and joy about God's great plan for His children in a way that can be heard...around the world.  Sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone's life for eternity," (Uchtdorf, 2011).

But is this "social media mission" just for set-apart missionaries?  NO.  We are also called to serve.  We are involved in spreading the gospel.  We have a duty to assist Elders and Sisters, the Church's missionary program.

My brother is currently serving a mission right now, and was when this announcement was made.  He is allowed to be online for an hour or more a day, sharing his testimony, Mormon Messages, and other information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It has been a wonderful experience for me to see my younger brother sharing his love of the gospel openly through social media.  He, and other missionaries, invite us to share their posts and add our testimonies.  Is that a difficult thing for us to do?

What a miracle it is to have technology so available to us, and the goodness it can provide to those we are in contact with.  We are called to be member missionaries.  How can we better help the missionaries spread the gospel with social media?  What have you done, and/or what are you currently doing?

Here is the link to the article and video if you are interested: LDS missionaries to begin using social media | KSL.com

Sources:

Penrod, Sam. (23 June 2013). LDS Missionaries to Begin Using Social Media. KSL News. Retrieved from http://www.ksl.com/?sid=25723022.

Ucthdorf, President Dieter F. (May 2011). Waiting on the Road to Damascus.  Ensign.  Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/church/share/sharing-the-gospel-via-social-media?lang=eng.