The LDS Church’s Use of Technology

Presentation by Jimmy Smith @jrs76October 19, 2014

2

Agenda

• Timeline of Technology Statements• Statements from our prophets and apostles on the use

of technology to further the work of the Lord

• LDS Church Digital Universe• Video: Elder Bednar: The Sweep the Earth as with a

Flood• Video: “I pray when …”• Members’ Use of the Internet in Church Callings

3

• "Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind has been given by direct revelation from God, though but few acknowledge it. It has been given with a view to prepare the way for the ultimate triumph of truth, and the redemption of the earth from the power of sin and Satan. We should take advantage of all these great discoveries, the accumulated wisdom of ages, and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work.”• Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954]

1862 •Brigham Young

1966 •David O. McKay

1974 •Spencer W. Kimball

2008 •M. Russell Ballard

2013 •L. Tom Perry

2014 •David A. Bednar

4

• Pres. McKay prophesied scientific discoveries that “stagger the imagination” would make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people.• "Discoveries latent with such potent power,

either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings, as to make man’s responsibility in controlling them the most gigantic ever placed in human hands. … This age is fraught with limitless perils, as well as untold possibilities” • Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 4

1862 •Brigham Young

1966 •David O. McKay

1974 •Spencer W. Kimball

2008 •M. Russell Ballard

2013 •L. Tom Perry

2014 •David A. Bednar

5

• "I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse. …With the Lord providing these miracles of communication, and with the increased efforts and devotion of our missionaries and all of us, and all others who are ‘sent,’ surely the divine injunction will come to pass: ‘For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every creature’ (D&C 58:64)”• When the World Will Be Converted, Ensign, Oct. 1974

1862 •Brigham Young

1966 •David O. McKay

1974 •Spencer W. Kimball

2008 •M. Russell Ballard

2013 •L. Tom Perry

2014 •David A. Bednar

6

• “There are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches. While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.”• Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet - Ensign July

2008

1862 •Brigham Young

1966 •David O. McKay

1974 •Spencer W. Kimball

2008 •M. Russell Ballard

2013 •L. Tom Perry

2014 •David A. Bednar

7

• “When I was a young missionary, we were able to speak with contacts on the street and knock on doors to share the gospel. The world has changed since that time. Now, many people are involved in the busyness of their lives. They hurry here and there, and they are often less willing to allow complete strangers to enter their homes, uninvited, to share a message of the restored gospel. Their main point of contact with others, even with close friends, is often via the Internet. The very nature of missionary work, therefore, must change if the Lord is to accomplish His work of gathering Israel ‘from the four corners of the earth’ (2 Nephi 21:12).”• Missionary Work in the Digital Age, Worldwide

leadership training meeting, June 2013

1862 •Brigham Young

1966 •David O. McKay

1974 •Spencer W. Kimball

2008 •M. Russell Ballard

2013 •L. Tom Perry

2014 •David A. Bednar

8

• “Messages and pictures that used to require days, weeks, and months to send and receive now can be communicated around the world in seconds. We thank thee, O God, for the prophets who have taught and prepared us for the time in which we live—and who have urged us to use technological advancements to support the ongoing mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”• To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood, Aug 2014

1862 •Brigham Young

1966 •David O. McKay

1974 •Spencer W. Kimball

2008 •M. Russell Ballard

2013 •L. Tom Perry

2014 •David A. Bednar

9http://prezi.com/xhfxaasktxfs/lds-church-digital-universe/

10

Elder Bednar Video

• To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood, Aug 2014• Video segment 13:50 – 14:45

11

“I pray when …” Video

• Example of a gospel message created by Church members and communicated through social media• To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood, Aug 2014• Video segment 18:47 – 21:37

12

Handbook 2: Members’ Use of the Internet in Church Callings • Recently updated guidelines open up the use of

websites and social media accounts for members in carrying out their callings.• Handbook 2 (section 21.1.22) states:• “Members may not create websites, blogs, or

social media profiles on behalf of the Church or to officially represent the Church and its views. However, they may create websites, blogs, or social media profiles to assist with their callings.”

13

• “How will you use these marvelous inventions? More to the point, how will you use them to further the work of the Lord?”• Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet, Ensign, July 2008

14

How the Church is Using Technology

15

Action Items:Suggested Places to Start• Create an LDS Account

• ldsaccount.lds.org• Securely allows access to additional Church content and features on

LDS.org and Mobile Apps

• Download one of the Church’s mobile apps• https://www.lds.org/pages/mobileapps • Start with Gospel Library or LDS Tools

• Try out social media• There is no better way of learning than doing

• Visit some of the Church sites you haven’t before• And share the interesting things you find

• Index (it’s a stake goal!) on FamilySearch.org• Get help from your kids and grandkids, if necessary

16

Thank You

• Contact me, Jimmy Smith, on Twitter @jrs76• Find this presentation online at

slideshare.net/jrs76• LDS Church Digital Universe Prezi interactive

infographic