Using new media

From ldsWebguy, earlier today I found a talk Elder Ballard gave today at BYU-Hawaii, Using New Media to Support the Work of the Church:

While you studied here at BYU-Hawaii, you no doubt came to understand the power of words. Words create conversations, and conversations create understanding. There is truth in the old adage that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” In many cases, it is with words that you will accomplish the great things that you will now set out to do. And it’s principally about ways to share those words that I want to talk to you today.

Being a writer, I of course got rather giddy at this point. :) But it gets even better:

Now some of these tools — like any tool in an unpracticed or undisciplined hand — can be dangerous. The Internet can be used to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and can just as easily be used to market the filth and sleaze of pornography. iTunes can be used to download uplifting and stirring music or the worst kind of anti-social lyrics, full of profanity. Social networks on the Web can be used to expand healthy friendships as easily as they can be used by predators trying to trap the unwary. That is no different from how people choose to use television or movies or even a library. Satan is always quick to exploit the negative power of new inventions, to spoil and degrade and to neutralize any effect for good. Make sure that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind, increase your opportunities, and feed your soul.

Exactly. The Internet — and most of the tools on it — is neutral. Not evil. I think the newer generation understands that, but there’s still a large segment of older folk who see the bad that’s on the Internet and think we should boycott the web entirely. Which is folly.

That word conversation is important. 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.

And that’s one of the (many) reasons I blog. :)

Now, to you who are graduating today, along with the other students at this wonderful university, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration.

If you didn’t catch it, that’s an official endorsement of blogging (and Facebook et al.) by an apostle. :) Granted, he’s specifically talking about missionary work, but I don’t think that means every post you write has to be straight from Preach My Gospel. If we’re true to who we are, the gospel will shine through us even when we’re talking about non-Church topics. There are many, many ways to share the gospel. (And by saying that I don’t mean that we should avoid talking about the gospel directly. I just mean that we shouldn’t limit ourselves to that. After all, the gospel does touch every aspect of life, not just theology.)

So, if you haven’t already got a blog, what are you waiting for? ;) (I’ve got some instructions on how to get started at the bottom of my What’s a blog page.) And if you don’t quite feel ready to start your own just yet, at least join the conversation by commenting on the blogs you read. You really can make a difference.

Speaking of that generation gap I mentioned earlier, it’s kind of funny that this talk comes from an 80-year-old man. :)

Huh. E was right. You did already write about this. And I thought I was being so “up” and “with the times” by writing about this.

Good thing it isn’t a race, then. ;) (Isn’t it funny how the Internet has changed our concept of time?)

Good post Ben. I’m so pleased that Elder Ballard mentioned the importance of keeping our comments uplifting and edifying. I have been disappointed so many times in reading some of the comments on a good post on some of the more popular LDS-related ‘group’ blogs. If I were not a member reading some of those comments I would have to wonder if half the people even believed in the church any more. I expect some of those kinds of comments on the worldly news sites but hope for better stuff on an LDS-oriented blog. I guess you can’t control comments and we want to encourage them as part of the dialog, but still…Thanks for creating a great blog. I enjoy reading your work. Keep it up.

Thanks, Tim. I agree — rash comments don’t really do anybody much good. Even with controversial topics, it’s quite possible to keep it both civil and impassioned at the same time.

Ben! I am so glad you discovered these words from Elder Ballard!

I finally DID start a blog, mostly silliness for friends and family to catch up with, but I would like you to know that it is something I have been considering doing ever since I started reading yours.

The point made in regards to the powers of the internet is incredibly valid. Usage will consume you, but only if you allow it. All things in responsibility and moderation, right?

Thanks, Ben!

Yes, I noticed (that you’d started a blog) and subscribed a couple weeks ago. :) Usage can really be a problem if we let it, since there’s so much information out there, so much to do. Like you said, we can allow it to overwhelm us, or we can keep the reins in our hands and make it do our bidding. And that’s when the magic can happen. :)