We wonder what we can share online, and how effective our voices will be in reaching others who may want to know more about what Mormons believe and how they live their lives.
It’s surprising how much of a difference we can make by simply inviting people to take a look over our shoulders as we talk about our Mormon lives online. No fences. No gates. No barriers.
We think our everyday activities may not be of interest, or that we need to blog about strictly spiritual things. Actually, people want to know what makes us tick all the way around–what we do with our time, our means, our professional lives, our families, our hobbies. As they see those things, and as we share those activities that occupy our lives, we will naturally speak of what matters to us, our priorities will be visible, our desires to serve will naturally surface, our focus will become evident.
Are you still thinking that sounds too simplistic–why would anyone care? Consider this comment from a Christian pastor, Chip Ingram. Speaking of one of the greatest mentors of his life, he said:
He had only a high school education and wasn’t very ‘cool’ by my young college standards, but he loved me and knew the Bible better than I did and he still does. He came alongside me, . . . . and modeled how a Christian does marriage and family. I learned from him through heart-to-heart talks and watching how he lived. I was discipled simply by hanging out with him and catching his values and authenticity. He brought me in by modeling the message, inviting me to participate, and engaging me in genuine relationship.
Jesus’ method of discipleship was to live with his disciples. That’s it. They went where he went, heard what he said, saw what he did, ate what he ate, and talked with him about everyday matters. When we engage people like that, we bring them in.
I was discipled simply by hanging out with him and catching his values and authenticity. He brought me in by modeling the message, inviting me to participate and engaging me in genuine relationship” (Chip Ingram)
In response to Elder Ballard’s recent counsel to use the New Media and participate in the gospel conversation online, ….
BYU students are taking the challenge issued by one of their professors, Richard Holzapfel, to blog what they are learning in their Bible study classes. They’re creating their own blogs and sharing their family lives, their aspirations, hobbies, and spiritual insights online in a friendly fashion, opening doors to virtual neighbors who may bump into them on the Internet.
http://officepoetry.blogspot.com/2008/09/jewish-mormon-heritage.html
http://latterdaysaintlaurel.blogspot.com/
http://nettlesanddaisies.blogspot.com/2008/09/worth-identity-some-rambling-thoughts.html