Cool Thing: Student Presentations (cont.)

We had more student presentations this week, which of course=AWESOME! I'm posting my slides so all my peeps can see them.

Cool Thing: Student Presentations

We started student presentations today. Of all the things that I've learned, the thing that has hit me the most is just the vast majority of ways people can share the Gospel online! There are seriously endless ways. We can pick any two topics or articles on the subject and give a full 20 minute presentation! It really is wonderful to think of all the different ways we can share the Gospel online.

Considering Elder Ballard's talk about sharing the Gospel online, after this lecture I took it upon myself to see what other people are doing to share the Gospel online. West Allen, a church member and social media enthusiast, is organizing an activity that allows members of the church to share there thoughts about the Gospel on video and have it posted online. The article from the LDS New Rooms talks about how this is just one example members are following Elder Ballard's call to "join the conversation online."

(not) Cool Thing: When the Truth Hurts, Lie

During the 19th century a new form of "journalism" (I use that term loosely) rose to popularity as printed materials and news papers, especially the penny press, become more prevalent. Without boring you on all the background of yellow journalism, the long and the short of yellow journalism is people would engineer details about news to make it more appealing to reader or to attract more readers. Over time, yellow journalism, noted Franklin Luther Mott, included entirely false stories, "scare headlines in huge print, often of minor news, lavish use of pictures, or imaginary drawings use of faked interviews, misleading headlines, pseudo-science, and a parade of false learning from so-called experts..."

Yellow journalism exists today in different degrees, but the reason I bring up this topic is for my assignment in class. Of all the groups targeted by yellow journalism, I would argue that one of the foremost (even to this day) was and is in fact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Call it Anti-Mormon literature or yellow journalism; the techniques are basically the same. Other groups (politicians, organizations, etc) which were once subjected to the more sever varieties of yellow journalism, over the years, have been limited in scoop and usually to just political cartoons or some other obviously farce of the truth for entertainment purposes. The Mormon Church on the other hand, never really has lost their following of individuals and organizations that are willing to misrepresent the Church and its doctrine (obviously I’m not referring to entertainment type misrepresentation).

For more information on what defines an anti-Mormon or anti-Mormon literature, take a look at Jeff Lindsay’s website. For the purposes of this post, Anti-Mormons or Anti-Mormon literature is anyone that is openly antagonistic towards the LDS Church, using or not using misleading means to justify their open hatred for the Church. Someone who isn’t a Mormon, simply disagrees with the Church or its doctrine, or individuals whose purpose isn’t to defame the Church are not what I would consider anti-Mormon.

So what are some of these dishonest defamatory methods I spoke of? Here are just a few things from Lindsay’s page.

• Deceptive representation of facts
• False ideas or events passed-off as truths
• Conspiracy theories
• False impression(One of the most startling) “…Claiming to have advanced degrees in order to buttress their credibility.”
• Distorting LDS writings or doctrine
  

The list could go on and on. Usually the anti-Mormon experience is entirely one-sided, in that they don’t want answers to their questions, Lindsay said. Suffice it to say, whether an individual believes that the LDS Church is actually true and Joseph Smith calling as a Prophet was divine or not, I don’t see the justification such satanic methods to perpetuate an agenda—the irony being that many who use such tactics claim to be Christians themselves. Many of these anti-Mormon proponents are former members, who for some reason, feel the need to defame and destroy the efforts of the LDS Church they once belonged to—unwittingly fulfilling the prophecy of Joseph Smith, that “they can leave the church, but they can’t leave it alone.”

Continuing that idea, in the Teachings of President's of the Church, Joseph Smith pp. 324, Daniel Tyler's recalls a discussion between Joseph Smith and Isaac Behunin. Behunin said he would never turn antagonist if he left the church. Joseph replied,

"Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. When the gospel was preached, good and evil were set before you. You could choose either or neither. There were two opposite masters inviting you to serve them. When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it. Should you forsake the Master you enlisted to serve, it will be by the instigation of the evil one, and you will follow his dictation and be his servant."

One more thought on anti-Mormon mindset before I mention an experience and talk about the dangers of online information. I served as a missionary for two years and ran into (sometimes most literally) people who either were proprietors of such malicious representations or perpetuators. Trying to understand the different motivations for such blatantly false claims regarding my faith, I came to understand another aspect of such motivations. One individual made the point that because they “believe” the LDS Church and its claims are false, they can justify using any means—honest or dishonest—to defame, discredit, and otherwise seek to “destroy” the Church. I was speechless at this attitude.

In keeping with the assignment of “dangers or the internet,” it’s obvious the danger that I’ll be talking about is ant-Mormon literature. It would be good to note these ideas could be applied to anything false on the internet. I’m reminded of the old adage I heard growing up as a child, “don’t believe everything you read.” Well it’s true.

In advertising we classify products into different categories based on the level of involvement of the consumer in the purchasing decision and the rationale or emotion the purchasing decision for that product. The high involvement very rational product category is cars, insurance, whether to go to grad school etc. Religion really falls into that category as well. Part of my personal buying process is researching online—these days, who wouldn’t? While it is frustrating researching a product only to find the research you’ve studied is false or doesn’t actually represent the product, even more frustrating is learning something you believe to be true and never know that it was actually false. How could I have benefited from that product if I only knew its actual benefits and features, not what I was mislead to know? Sometimes, you never find out about the error, other times it down the road and another purchase has already been made—it’s too late, all you can do is morn your loss.

I’m sure you can see what I’m getting at. Researching the LDS Church online can be a little hairy because of the abnormally large amount of misinformation and false notions about the Church. Some unsuspecting person would have a really difficult time sorting between the “yellow” details of anti-Mormons and actual factual information.

I’ve known many people who have fallen victim to the effects of anti-Mormon literature. There is a particular couple I think about, from St. Albert, Alberta. I think about them often. They were an elderly couple, semi-retired if I remember correctly, I was, with my companion, the missionary assigned to follow up with their inquiry to have some LDS Church media delivered. In LDS Missionary speak, the wife was GOLDEN. The husband wasn’t unrelenting; in fact I respected him, because we both think the same way—very analytical. Of course, like me, and any other reasonable person, the husband eventually went to the all-powerful internet to research this new Faith he and his wife were becoming very interested in.

Why is the Internet such a powerful tool for destroying individuals' testimonies? Or in this case, developing testimonies? The answer is, vast amounts of false information about the LDS Church on the internet and its assumed credibility. There is not accountability for individuals or organizations who intentionally mislead others online. Like yellow journalism in the 19th century, anti-Mormon content is presented in such a way to seem credible, to persuade an individual towards a certain agenda—usually to fear of the LDS Church.

I can still remember that last meeting with the family. I remember the expression of shock on his face at some of the claims of that anti-Mormon literature. I remember pleading in my heart to God to be able to say something that would help them understand what they were reading was false. I remember asking them to appeal to a Higher Power, not to take my word for it. I even moved my hair around to prove to him that I didn’t have any horns. But like so many, this man couldn’t believe that there would be such a vast quantity of untrue information about an organization. Who would do that? In this man’s mind, the quantity, scope, and consistency amongst the anti’s claims lent their lies some amount of credibility—it just doesn’t seem reasonable that so many “good God-fearing” Christian groups would lie to that level.

To be honest, I agree, it doesn’t seem reasonable that “good God-fearing” Christians would lie like that—at least, not any Christians that I know.

Cool Thing: Betty White + Football + Mud

Here's my favorite Super Bowl commercial. What a great use of the "Big Idea" concept. Plus it's freak'n hilarious.

Cool Thing: Mormon Ads

Some of my favorite offline media for sharing the Gospel growing up was the Mormon Ads. While the ads are more for members, I actually had a friend in High School who became interested in the Gospel after seeing one! Oh and he served a mission after high school. Oh yeah, which means he also got baptized.

I love this one!

Cool Thought: I suggest you all get converted!

Before I start this post, I thought it would be helpful for all of you (or just you Dr. Wiley, the one person reading this blog, haha) to understand what perspective I'm coming from as I write about the conversion process. Here is the question(s):

Post an essay describing your understanding of the conversion process and the role of people other than the individual being converted in the conversion process. Specifically answer the question, what is the proper role of a missionary?

What do we mean by conversion? To many, conversion could refer to the process by which someone becomes a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This process generally includes taking missionary lessons, reading, praying, coming to know the truth of the message of the restoration, developing faith in Christ, actually getting baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

While in some ways conversion is an "event" (usually in reference to a Baptismal date, the date an individual formally becomes a member of the LDS Church) actual "conversion" is more a process.

The Gospel Library on LDS.org defines conversion as "a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire. The Lord said:

'Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

'And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God' (Mosiah 27:25–26)"

True the Faith, a publication by the LDS Church continues on that idea of conversion:

Conversion comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith.

Although conversion is miraculous and life changing, it is a quiet miracle. Angelic visitations and other spectacular occurrences do not bring conversion. Even Alma, who saw an angel, became converted only after he "fasted and prayed many days" for a witness of the truth (Alma 5:46). And Paul, who saw the resurrected Savior, taught that "no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 12:3).

The Book of Mormon provides descriptions of people who are converted to the Lord:

They desire to do good. King Benjamin's people declared, "The Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). Alma spoke of people who "could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence" (Alma 13:12).

They do not rebel against the Lord. Mormon told of a group of Lamanites who had been wicked and bloodthirsty but who were "converted unto the Lord" (Alma 23:6). These people changed their name to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and "became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren" (Alma 23:7).

They share the gospel. Enos, Alma the Elder, Alma the Younger, the sons of Mosiah, Amulek, and Zeezrom dedicated themselves to preaching the gospel after they became converted to the Lord (see Enos 1:26; Mosiah 18:1; 27:32-37; Alma 10:1–12; 15:12).

They are filled with love. After the resurrected Savior visited the people in the Americas, "the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. . . .

"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

"And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

"There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God" (4 Nephi 1:2, 15–17).

In a very real sense, being converted to the Gospel of Christ means progressing towards the measure and stature of the fullness of Christ, becoming like Him in attribute, motive, and method. Hence conversion is an event in the sense our commitment to "convert" to the cause of Christ formally happens at Baptism but is a process because we continue grace for grace until we obtain a fullness in Christ. While one can't obtain conversion on their merits alone, such conversion is enabled through the power of the Atonement of Christ facilitated by the companionship of the Spirit, conversion does require our willingness to turn from error towards truth, to keep covenants, and use our agency in accordance to God's righteousness. Most importantly, conversion requires a confirmation by the Spirit to an individual that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the World and that Joseph Smith was called as His prophet in these last days.

Because the formal process of conversion or the "event" (meeting with the missionaries and such) is pretty well understood, I'd like to comment on how members can help others along the "process" of conversion and obtain that crucial Spiritual confirmation.

Individual conversion starts with a desire to know the Truth. Truth in this sense is things as they really are, really were, or really will be. In a sense being converted involves "converting" from error or part truths to truth or a fuller truth. As Latter-Day Saints believe that the ultimate source of truth is God. Because we believe that we are the offspring of God, that He is our Father, we also believe (like with any loving father) we can go to God in prayer for guidance. When seeking to know the truth of something important, we eventually pray to God in Christ's name and ask with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ that we will receive an answer, really intending to follow any answer given.

God will communicate truth to us as answers to our prayers through our feelings, thoughts, or some other way by the power of the Holy Ghost. For most people these answers come as peace to the mind or heart, enlightenment, or a warm feeling in ones' heart, that something specific is true. When we have such feelings we know that God is teaching us that something is, in fact true.

During the process of conversion, we eventually seek to know the truth through prayer about the existence of God, the mission of Jesus at the Christ, and the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith. As we come to learn the truth of these important concepts through the influence of the power of the Holy Ghost, we have begun the process of gaining a testimony or a conviction of truth of these important concepts mentioned above. As our conviction grows stronger, we gain a desire to follow God's commandments in this life and eventually be baptized.

People beginning the formal process of investigating the Church, while preparing for baptism, have the responsibility of seeking this conviction personally and individually, though the process of obtaining the witness of the Spirit of the truthfulness of these important concepts can be helped by the full-time missionaries and other baptized members.

So how can missionaries and members help?

As a worthy baptized member of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, found in the institution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, individuals receive, by the laying on of hands, the Gift of the Holy Ghost. In keeping with the baptismal covenant, members are promised as a "gift" the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost is essential to the conversion process, because it is the only way in which someone can know for themselves the truthfulness of the existence of God, the divine role of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, and the calling of Joseph Smith as God's Prophet. While conversion is an intimate personal process, missionaries and members that have the gift of the Holy Ghost assist potential converts by participating in the teaching of truth in which the Spirit becomes present, witnessing to potential converts the truthfulness of a particular truth.

Members and missionaries alike are to seek to live and teach as to invite the Spirit into discussion so that potential converts gain a testimony of a truth the same way the said members or missionaries did--by the Holy Ghost. While teaching (in the sense of sharing truths), testifying (declaring what one knows to be true by the Spirit), and setting a good example is important in assisting converts gain their own personal conviction, the Spirit matters most! Missionaries and members should do their best to live a moral life by the teachings of Christ in which they more fully have the constant companion of the Holy Ghost (or are more fully converted) to help others come unto Christ.

In fact, it is not possible for individuals to assist in the work of Salvation, through Christ, among the children of men save they shall posses the companionship of the Spirit, the Unspeakable Gift. Man does not convert men, but the Spirit of God, nor does man speak the words of Life but such is said by the Unspeakable gift.

Cool Thing: Oldest Bible

How cool would it be to say that, "I have the oldest Bible." Well the people at the British Library have that claim to fame. Dubbed the Codex Sinaiticus, this copy of the Bible still contains about 800 pages of the original 1400 and dates from around the middle of the fourth century--Constantine the Great's time.

Continue the story here.

Reuters

(I've collected many thing news stories over the years and while many of these are "old news," I post with the attitude, "in case you missed it.")

Cool Thought: Podcasts, Podcasts, Podcasts!

UPDATED

How many of you out in internet-land thought podcasting was an iPod thing? I sure did, oh so long ago, thought that podcasting=stuff on ipod, but actually its not. According to the guys at MTSU podcasting,

"stands for Portable On Demand Broadcasting. Podcasts were originally audio-only but may now contain still images, video, and chapters identifying major sections or ideas. An iPod is not needed to listen to a Podcast. You can listen to a podcast using any computer connected to the Internet that also has the capability of playing standard MP3 audio files. Once a podcast is downloaded it can be listened to at any time on the computer. Many people also like to copy the podcast to a portable device for playback on the go. Examples of these devises include PDAs (Palm or Pocket PC), iPods, mobile phones, or many other devises that play MP3 files. "

Ipods made podcasting popular because the podcasting technology was streamlined with iTunes. Podcasting has been used for all sorts of things. At State University of New York Fredonia, they conducted a study to see how well students would learn listening to a podcast in place of a live lecture. The test for this experiment was the exam scores for the course. The study found that students listening to podcasts actually, on average, did better than students listening to live lectures.

My favorite use sharing the gospel online via podcast and the like is Mormon Messages.

Here's a podcast that I made: (So apparently my podcast isn't working the way it should, so I'm in the process of trying to fix it.)

Here is the fixed one: