Have you born your testimony on YouTube yet?

Posted by Guest | September 9, 2008 | 40 Comments

Jane writes at What About Mom because three kids, one husband, and SAHM angst can drive you crazy faster than even Bill Murray.

A couple months ago, a friend and I realized that a blogger we’ve been admiring for months was cutting corners with some shady blogging practices. It’s hard to even describe blogging high crimes and misdemeanors without sounding laughably melodramatic and nitpicky (it’s a BLOG, after all), but Honor! Integrity! Truth! are important — even on the internet.

Silly or not, I felt almost personally hurt that my blogging idol, a success story of hard work and goal-setting, turned out to be less above-board than she seemed. I was doubly upset because I had raved about her posts and participated in some of her events.

When I discovered what was going on, I emailed her directly, hoping she’d say something like: “Oh, I should(n’t) be doing that: I’ll fix it right away.” Then I could have gone back to thinking she was the greatest thing since the new image editor in WordPress. That’s not how she responded, though. And the worst part? Even though I know it shouldn’t make a difference?

She’s Mormon.

Before the whole “shady practices” debacle, I had corresponded with my blogging idol and asked her how she handled discussing the church on her blog. She said “Sometimes when it fits the topic I’ll mention it but that’s not really what I’m about so I don’t talk about it too much,” adding that her blog is not an online Preach My Gospel.

Few of us want to be as preachy as a church manual or as single-minded as a missionary pamphlet. And yet, Elder Ballard has gone so far as to ask us to bear our testimonies on YouTube.

I’ve got to tell you I’m just not ready for that — yet.

I am ready to put a link to the church under “what I believe” on my About page, and to swear less (never, I think) online than I do in real life. I talk about our family reunions and about odd things that occur to me in church. I post videos of my seven-year old practicing her primary talks. But I’m not sure I’m the best example.

Sometimes I worry: will people judge the church by my words and actions as surely as I judged my would-be mentor? Will they think I’m hypocritical for drinking Mountain Dew and oppressed because sometimes I hate being a mother?

How do you share the gospel online?

Category: Daily Special

Comments

40 Responses to “Have you born your testimony on YouTube yet?”

AllisonK
September 9th, 2008 @ 9:36 am

This is a very interesting post today. I have often wondered how I can share the gospel through my posts. I have decided to live and write that in such a way that people will never doubt what I believe and in whom I put my trust.
TJ Hirst
September 9th, 2008 @ 9:45 am

First of all – I love your comparison, “Then I could have gone back to thinking she was the greatest thing since the new image editor in WordPress.” But I’m not sure, yet, that I like the new image editor.

To speak very openly and honestly, Elder Ballard’s talk on sharing the gospel online actually got me into blogging. That is a dreaded statement for most who have been blogging for years. It wasn’t what he said as much as what I was looking for–an answer about where I could share what I write. As a result, I investigate this new medium and developed a new way of looking at an audience.

The gospel is a natural outgrowth of who I am, so the gospel, not church culture and language, becomes part of my writing. If I speak about a church term, I define it, just as I would if I were talking to my friends here in Minnesota who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They and others read my website, and I want it that way.

As I write and open myself to the blogging community, one of the biggest challenges I see for LDS bloggers is that sometimes we are just talking to ourselves. It’s comfortable to find another reader who believes what we believe, but how do we develop audiences that are not insular?

On my website, I try to balance the temporal and the spiritual, while still trying to Illuminate Everyday, which is my way of saying looking through the lens of the Spirit toward truth and understanding of all things.

I have posted an interview series, “Conversations between a Jewish Rabbi and an LDS Bishop.” I also write answers to the question by President Eyring, “Have I seen the Hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” But I also write reviews of literature and movies, talk some about politics, and share my parenting challenges.

The repeated counsel in sharing the gospel is to just be ourselves. And I might add, interact with individuals outside our comfort zone. Some of those conversations will be gospel conversations, some will not.
Tara Carpenter
September 9th, 2008 @ 9:49 am

I haven’t written much about the church because I’m afraid I will lose non-member readers. I try to justify that by writing about my beliefs & the gospel in a general Christian way, because so many popular blogs out there are run by Christian women who are not quiet about their beliefs. But I am going to have to rethink my position & re-read Elder Ballard’s talk. Maybe it’s time for me to take a firmer stance.
wendy
September 9th, 2008 @ 10:23 am

Since my blog is private, I know who has access to it. Among those I’ve invited, there is only one non-member. She is strong in her religion, and we respect each other’s differences (she’s a fantastic scriptorian and very integrous woman). I don’t edit my feelings about the gospel on her account, and because I know she is there, I put links to mormon.org or articles to give further explanation of things that I don’t want to elaborate on in my content. We have exchanged some spiritual emails, including some BoM verses that were relevant to what she was experiencing.

Before I went private, I was only aware of one other non-lds reader, and she also seemed religious. I didn’t really think about it much. It was my blog and my place to write whatever I was feeling. When I went private and became more careful with what I was writing, it wasn’t about religion, so I don’t think my religious-based writings have changed any.
Barb @ getupandplay
September 9th, 2008 @ 10:27 am

The biggest thing I do to share the gospel online is to talk about my life, even though I know some of my audience doesn’t “get” the “Mormon stuff.” When my husband and I were sealed in the temple, it was a huge life event for us and we were so happy and of course I wanted to blog about it- so I did. And I tried to write in a way that reflected my feelings as well as gave some context and background. And when people I know pass away, I write about how I am grateful to know that I will see them again. Just by writing about all of my life (including church things) I feel I am sharing the gospel in a way people can relate to.
Johnna
September 9th, 2008 @ 10:43 am

I think I’ve been okay with leaving my faith in the background of my posts, because I’ve enjoyed other blogs where being LDS comes out in natural, relevant ways.

It’s possible I don’t understand because I would never watch someone’s testimony on YouTube. Maybe you need to be in the YouTube culture, where people are responding to other people’s video clips with their own, to really get that.
Blue
September 9th, 2008 @ 10:50 am

the link to Elder Ballard’s talk on sharing the gospel online didn’t work for me. Anyone else?
♥
What About Mom » Blog Archive » Sally Reviews The Princess Academy; Everybody is Guest-Post Writing
September 9th, 2008 @ 11:01 am

[...] If you’ve ever wondered about how to (or if you should) express your religious beliefs in your online writing, check out my guest post at Segullah today: Have you born your testimony on YouTube yet? [...]
s'mee
September 9th, 2008 @ 11:10 am

My brother passed away when he was 32. He was a writer and a poet, and he left a lifetime of journals when he died. Those journals caused some concerns to some who read them; and controversy arose when the family got together and tried to figure out the missing pieces or symbols he used from time to time. Most of his writings were straight forward, some were not. These were writings that began in high school and there were some hurtful things written about family members, because that is what journal writing can be to an immature teenager full of angst. *Most* people who read those high school entries walked away with a smile and a laugh at the *serious* nature of his emotions, someone however, was hurt over those long ago written words that could not be explained by a grown man who had just died. It did not matter that he had volumes of other journals that praised this person, the past got in the way.

That was when paper reigned supreme. We live in a digital age, however what is written can now be “published” for a world wide view and once “publish” has been clicked, it’s out there forever, to be interpreted by any and all readers, some who will not ask for your clarification.

In my blog as in my life, if you know me at all you have figured out that I am LDS.

My blog is random life happenings, some religious, some not, with my photos every now and then. I have a very small group of daily readers and some who pop in regularly and read to catch up…nothing earth shattering or even enough to make me consider ads. I know that about half of my readers are non LDS.

When I write, I write knowing that it is out there and for all to see, judge, pick apart, etc. I *do* write feeling that *I* will be judged by a Higher Power and be held responsible for those things I write, just as I am held responsible for those things I say and do in “real life”. Being anonymous on the net does not make me anonymous to God. So, yes, I check it to make sure it is what I really want out there.

I also feel a heavy responsibility in regard to the example I set for any reader as far as church topics and the idea of a non-LDS readers thinking I (may) represent the views of all LDS people or lifestyle. I try to explain when I may differ from LDS doctrine, or have a view that may be misunderstood. I try to explain LDS language and/or traditions etc when I feel I need to.

I do not avoid Gospel topics and I do not go out of my way to preach the Word, I feel I am the same on line as I am in real life… which explains -a lot- why I have low readership! : )
Jane @ What About Mom
September 9th, 2008 @ 11:35 am

Blue — Click on the word “YouTube.” That link should work.

Johnna — My first reaction to Elder Ballard’s talk was, “Are you kidding me? What kind of loser posts stuff like that on YouTube?” I can’t imagine the Apostles, etc on YouTube. (I should note that in the article Elder Ballard doesn’t say “youtube”; he says “popular video-sharing sites.” )
JM
September 9th, 2008 @ 11:41 am

“And yet, Elder Ballard has gone so far as to ask us to bear our testimonies on YouTube”

This should be easy then. The church should hire some actors and film some testimonies and post them to youtube themselves. Then, on First Sundays, we could just turn on the overhead projector and watch the professionals at work!
Sue
September 9th, 2008 @ 11:56 am

I have no idea what my reader mix is – maybe half and half. Sometimes I share faith oriented experiences that I think will translate well to all of my readers, but most of the time, I only mention my mormonism in passing. I think everyone who reads my blog probably knows I’m LDS because of the whole Mormon Mommy Blogs thing, and because I mention church and the ward, and stuff like that – but I would hate to think that they’re holding me up as an example of what a Mormon should be. I would feel like a total fraud.

I struggle with a lot of doctrine. I lack faith. I skip Sunday School most Sundays (although I come back for RS :>). Sometimes I REALLY lack faith, and so pretending to be this super inspirational mormon mom would feel really false.
Blue
September 9th, 2008 @ 12:14 pm

I’m also curious, because you were so vague, about the shady blogging practices you’re referring to. Was it just a breach of etiquette that she perhaps didn’t know about? Or did she just flat out start telling lies? Reveal sacred temple stuff? Disclose personal information not hers to share? Or when you say “cutting corners” do you mean she was using other peoples images on her blog without permission?

I’m just not clear on this, and since you brought it up I’m curious…(which is hopefully not a breach of blogging etiquette.)

as for your question. I think I’m in the same camp as Barb. It’s part of my life, and sometimes that comes through in subtle ways in my online interactions. The whole new environment of digital intimacy changes how we interact with each other…strangers no more in many ways. Between Facebook Status Updates and Twitter and blogging, we have countless opportunities to “share” the way we live and who we are in an indirect, non-threatening way. I’m a fan of this technology.
♥
Kathy
September 9th, 2008 @ 1:07 pm

My hubby and I were just having this conversation. I guess I am what I call your typical conservative Mormon — rightwing and all. The church is such a HUGE part of my life that to not blog about it would be going against my nature. Things I love, I talk about. I have realized, however, that it may turn some people off. I am not trying to offend people, but I do explore my opinions of the teachings I believe in. I figure if someone is really offended, they don’t have to read my blog. If they like it, great. Some of the best blog posts I have read are about spiritual matters. They are what helps me through the day.
I blog because it is fun to write about what is on my mind. So, I try not to worry about what others might think. Maybe that is why I don’t have a ton of “blog pals”, who knows.
I think it is important for people to know you for who you are. The good, bad and the ugly. After all, we are all trying to make it through this life together and just because someone is Mormon, doesn’t mean they are never going to hate being a mom or drink caffeine. When I look at people’s imperfections, I realize that I fit in pretty nicely. Then I don’t feel so overwhelmed. I think just being the best of who you are is being a great missionary.
I had a non-Mormon friend that would always joke about a Mormon girl and a Catholic girl getting along. It was really an eye opener for me. I realized that people really don’t run in fear when they find out I am Mormon. And, as I have learned, they really don’t mind hearing about things you do in your church. So, I just take that approach. I figure most people will be respectful of my beliefs if I am of theirs.
Of course, there are a couple posts that my hubby doesn’t want any one at his work to see (he works in a VERY liberal environment) and I have some fine tuning to do to be less abrasive. But it’s all part of the journey, right?
Tiffany
September 9th, 2008 @ 1:08 pm

Well, I think that how much you share about the gospel depends on the intent of your blog and your audience.
I have a small audience of mostly friends and family, so I don’t hide who I am, but neither do I go out of my way to broadcast who I am.

And I was also confused about what constitutes cutting corners in the blogging world. In other words, I’m curious but what you mean.

My blog, at one point, was a travelogue. We happened to be living in Israel and there were times when I wrote about the spiritual experiences I was having.
Carrie
September 9th, 2008 @ 1:33 pm

I think it’s important for me to share my feelings, true feelings, on my blog. It’s theraputic. And since I am a daughter of God first, a wife and mother second, a member of the Church third, and a blogger fourth, sharing my feelings often brings up conversations or ideas that are part of my faith.

I guess if blogging is more important than your faith, toning it down, scaling it back, or whatever, is what you should do. I think its HILARIOUS that people tailor their blogs to their ‘audience’. Maybe since I don’t have much of an audience it doesn’t really matter to me. I just don’t get the duplicity of the thing. And I appreciate being accountable for what I put out there. If my blog is someone’s impression of Mormons, I like that I have to live up to some standard, because sometimes as a SAHM to very young kids I don’t ‘get out’ much. I don’t have nonmember friends that look to me as a standard ‘mormon’ like in my youth.

And while we’re discussing this… why do so many Mormon women curse on their blog??? HELLO! It’s not like you dropped a can on your toe and cursed in shock and pain. You typed the whole stinkin word out! Does it really make people feel that much ‘cooler’ to swear on their blog?

I’m a mormon. Yes I am. Just read my blog.
Tiffany
September 9th, 2008 @ 1:52 pm

Carrie, tailoring writing to audience is not a ridiculous thing to do. When you are blogging, it becomes public. This means that at times editing thoughts or posts becomes necessary. Intent plays on that as well. We all write differently when we know the journal is for our eyes only. We also choose what we are going to write about because of our audience.

My blog was and is a travelogue. I think of my audience when I write because I want them to experience what I experienced through my words and feelings. I include background info that I wouldn’t in a private journal.

I learned the lesson of editing and audience in a powerful way with my own blog. I was relating a humorous story about my son. I used two words in the story that were picked up by a search engine that looks for words to feed to a child porn site.

I consider my audience when I write and edit accordingly. That doesn’t mean I pare down my faith or beliefs. On the contrary, nor do I use my blog as a forum for missionary work. That was not the reason why I started my blog, nor why I continue to write it.
Les
September 9th, 2008 @ 2:01 pm

I have been trying to explain my faith more in my blogging since that article. Knowing I have NM readers I try to not assume LDS readership/lingo, but explain myself a bit more. I also don’t make it too heavy. I answered the churches call to post about food storage the other week and it got many comments (I guess my gorilla shelves and buckets of choclate chips are my most inspitirng things- LOL). I was surprised Blogher picked my post about teaching early morning seminary to highlight last week– I think sometimes the fear comes from us? Maybe it also also a call to be sure we are being good examples- knowing what we put out there can influence many.
ameliorateme
September 9th, 2008 @ 2:04 pm

My blog is all me. And all me is not the best shining example of a church member. I have my flaws, I’ve been criticised by readers for “not following the Savior,” in their opinion. Do regular readers know I’m LDS? Most likely – the church is talked about in my posts, as well as my time at BYU. But I have the same worries as you and I don’t want people to judge the church based off my blog.

Whether or not our testimony or lds.org link is on our blogs, I think in one way or another we all share a message of our religion online by showing people that not all Mormons – especially Mormon women – fit into a stereotype. We’re all different, unique human beings with our own opinions and life experiences.

I think the LDS Newsroom site actually had a story a few months ago about church members posting their testimonies on You Tube? I’ll google…
ameliorateme
September 9th, 2008 @ 2:08 pm

Found it:

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/mormons-make-their-voices-heard-digitally
jendoop
September 9th, 2008 @ 2:24 pm

For me, Elder Ballard’s talk was also the last shove I needed to start a blog. I’d considered it and worried that the online community was too vicious for me, I did not want people flaming at me for just sharing my life. You don’t know how relieved I was to know that my blog site provides a blocking feature, thankfully I haven’t had to use it.

Reading the NY times article about Nie Nie made me realize I’ve found a different online community than when I started out:
“Unlike much of the blogosphere, which is ruled by sniping and snark and where commenters might coldly question the judgment of a mother of four who chose to get in a small private plane, these women inhabit a feel-good corner of the Internet. And when one member of the community suffers, everyone feels it.”

It is great to have a tiny place in that region of the blogosphere and being part of it I try and uphold that feeling. Very rarely do I criticize on my blog, not to be unrealistic but because I don’t want to put that feeling out into the world.

Like alot of others I talk about the church as it naturally occurs in my world and my part of the world is PA where there aren’t many members of the church. I don’t set out to proselytize but I do share when I’ve had a great day at church, I am even honest when I don’t feel like teaching the children’s sunday school class (AKA primary). I do want strangers to read my blog and I want them to understand what I’m talking about so I try not to get tied up in ‘mormonism’ (meaning the culture, phrasing ie using’family night’ instead of FHE)But I do mention God often, I think writing in generalities you’re much more likely to brighten someone’s life and make a difference than by telling everyone to read the Book of Mormon now.

BTW the greatest unforseen blessing I’ve gotten from my blog is a closer relationship with members of my family I felt most distant from, the inactive ones. They understand more about the role the church plays in my life and that I’m not Polly Perfect.
kannie
September 9th, 2008 @ 2:38 pm

I think our audience does matter.

Blogs are most effective, from what I understand, when they are limited in scope. Therefore, I have one that is public and oriented more toward socio-political commentary, (for the popper-off in me that just has to get out); and one that is for my family life (for the “peanut butter and jelly” of life, as my mom would say). Not everyone who reads my political blog cares whether my toddler has just learned to pick up after himself; and not everyone who knows me wants to read my opinions on politics.

On my political/issues-oriented blog, I mention my faith when it is relevant to the issue at hand, but I don’t want to be taken as some sort of church authority (LOL) and mingling politics with religion (since I don’t have the time, or frankly, the thick skin, for hosting all manner of defense and discussion). The biggest example was my commentary on the FLDS fiasco in Texas. It was actually very scary to officially ID myself as LDS, but I didn’t need to be scared. Elder Ballard’s talk was the main thing that encouraged me to tackle the issue.

But on my personal family (private) blog, I talk about all sorts of things – life in general – that may or may not be faith-related… it’s private, not to hide my faith, but because my experience leads me to be very wary of publicizing my (and my family’s) identity.

I think Elder Ballard’s invitation is essentially to just be who we are – unafraid participants in the online community – instead of tending toward the insular, insecure side and being afraid to talk about something that might reveal our faith. If we post videos, it’s appropriate at times to make spiritual ones. If we don’t, I don’t think he’s asking us to launch an ad campaign. But either way, we don’t need to be afraid.
cheryl
September 9th, 2008 @ 3:07 pm

I didn’t take the time to read the comments (sorry!), but here’s what I do on my blog:

I just be myself.

The Gospel is a huge part of myself. I don’t always blast it out there and say “Hey, look at this! I’m Mormon! And I love to share my testimony!” but I’m not afraid of a post or two dedicated to my answered prayers, or God’s tender mercies, because that’s what happens in my life. Often. And I need to share it, because my blog is about me, myself, and I. Why wouldn’t I share that part of me? Since it’s a huge part?

So, I don’t try to figure out ways to share my testimony or how to better influence the world with the Gospel Truth; I just talk about my life. My depression, my cute kids, my husband, my vacations, my stresses, my joys, my down days, my messy house, politics, church callings, silly friends, and anything else that tickles my fancy. Some blogs are out there to Preach the Gospel. Others are out there to pretend they aren’t Mormon. And even MORE just like to argue all points of doctrine until they are more confused than they were in the first place.

You know, I feel really bad for your friend and that she felt she could be dishonest online. That’s just sad. Really sad. But hey, to each their own, which is why it’s even more important for us to at least acknowledge that we have a testimony of the Gospel –if we HAVE one, anyway. Right?
Signe
September 9th, 2008 @ 3:50 pm

Something I’ve enjoyed doing is to do normal stuff on my blog, Mon-Sat. But on Sunday, I do a LDS-themed post, short or long. Being LDS is so much a part of who I am, I’d be lying by omission to leave it out.
Jane @ What About Mom
September 9th, 2008 @ 4:55 pm

Blue (and others): There are etiquette/ethical things that are important in blogging, and like many spheres of life, the more experienced you are and the more professional your purpose, the more you should be aware of (and following) those rules. And if you’re asked about your practices, you should be truthful (esp. if you are something of an example, imho). What I encountered wasn’t illegal, but it was lazy and dishonest and hypocritical.

On photos/images, I’ve mostly gone to only publishing photos I’ve taken myself, though sometimes it is SO tempting to post something that doesn’t appear to be copyrighted.

Another example: When you participate in carnivals, you should read the rules first and strive to follow them.

I am so incredibly far from perfect that I hesitated to write about this, but I’ve tried to tone it down and protect the privacy of those involved.

Carrie (and others): Wow. I don’t think tailoring writing to an audience is duplicitous. Tailoring to your audience can mean anything from explaining baptism in very simple terms to a child to talking about the Great Spirit as Alma the Younger did to the Lamanite King.

I think you’re objecting to gratuitous or shocking sensationalism of language or content that many bloggers seem to use in order to attract attention. While exaggeration and irony are great humor tools, we should definitely be careful in how we write for our audience, right?
Johnna
September 9th, 2008 @ 6:46 pm

I’m really surprised so many women have felt obligated to START blogs because of Elder Ballard’s talk. That’s not how I understood his talk at all.
m&m
September 9th, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

I can’t imagine the Apostles, etc on YouTube.

Did you know they actually ARE on YouTube?

For example, here is part of Elder Ballard’s talk that is being discussed here.

Public Affairs has its own channel.

If you are interested in how some people have done the YouTube thing, check out the More Good Foundation’s channel and website.

Doing videos may not be for everyone, but I know of at least one person who received an email in response to her video where she discussed her conversion story. As crazy as it may seem, people really do search the many different types of media when they want to know about the Church. And videos get quite a bit of attention.

AND those who oppose the Church use the same media.
Giggles
September 10th, 2008 @ 12:13 am

I had been very non-specific in my blog when talking about religion before seeing Elder Ballard’s comments. Then I decided, it’s my blog, I control the content, and unlike your blogger person, the Gospel really is what I’m about. So I’m more open about it now. I don’t hide it.

I share my testimony in many different ways on my blog. The testimony I share on my blog is different from the one I write in my journal or share in Church on Sunday because I’m keeping the audience (i.e. possibly the whole world) in mind. But I do say what I think.

After General Conference I’ll blog about my experiences and the talks that touched my life, and put links to them.

The issue of marriage is coming to the ballot in many states this November, and I’ve blogged about that, linking to various Church news releases, talks, and even the scriptures.

My blog is about my life, and the Church is a huge part of my life. I wouldn’t want to leave that part out just because it’s the internet.
Heidi Ashworth
September 10th, 2008 @ 12:59 pm

My blog is “about” promoting my upcoming book and my writing–so I write funny things about my life because my book is funny (I hope, I think–it made my mom laugh, so . . .). I don’t hide from my Mormonness but I rarely use a lot of Mormon-only lingo because I want everyone who reads my blog to understand what I am saying. HOWever, I don’t have any songs on my playlist that use swear words, I don’t swear myself (my dad was an English teacher so there were two reasons to speak correctly at my house) so not swearing online isn’t a problem, I have a link in my blog to LDS.org, and I don’t steal photos to post in my blog (well, once, Tom Welling pics–everyone has a price) but I got called on that one by a non member friend so I realized pretty fast that people are really paying attention to those kinds of things. I do make a conscientious effort to uphold LDS standards when I blog so that if people do put two and two together, I have no reason to hide my head in shame.
m&m
September 10th, 2008 @ 5:23 pm

Have y’all seen the talk Elder Ballard gave in Washington, D.C.? This quote is long, but I think it gives a good summary of how we can share the gospel online.

Share your experiences – those from your own life – that show how your values and your faith intersect….

Clearly, in this context I am not talking about declaring your testimony of faith in the traditional sense. Naturally, you can and should do that where the setting is appropriate and the audience is receptive, such as a church meeting. Rather, I am talking about taking part in everyday conversations in an unforced way, where your values and your religious beliefs will arise naturally. No one likes to have religion thrust down their throats.

Instead, allow people to see how your beliefs lift and shape your life for the better. How does the gospel help you as a parent engage with your teens? How do your values encourage you to participate in civic affairs? How has your experience as a home or visiting teacher enlarged your compassion or care for the sick and needy? How has your Church life helped you to avoid such things as pornography and immorality? How have family councils or home evenings helped you resolve differences of opinion with members of your family? How has your experience in speaking in church helped you address large public groups? Where did you learn to respect and not to criticize other faiths? And so on.
Geo
September 11th, 2008 @ 12:57 am

m&m, thanks for that quote. I am eager to read that talk.

Here’s the way I see it. By our words and actions, we all continually proclaim our own versions of the gospel, whether we mean to or not. Doesn’t matter if we blog or YouTube or not—we are every day publishing something . . . but is it peace? is it truth? is it light?

I love Elder Ballard’s direction. It challenges us to pay attention to our lives; measure our feelings and experiences against a holy standard; see connections, cause and effect; then articulate them to ourselves and others. We learn best when we share and when we teach. He’s really asking us to share ourselves. He’s asking us to recognize and own our stories, and to focus on the true, the worthy, the good. It’s like what President Eyring asked us to do last October—to prayerfully and meditatively recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives, and then find a personal way to record and share those blessings.

I think it’s an exciting challenge. I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but still think it’s beautiful.

Thanks to m&m too for the other links.
YouTube Testimonies? | Signe Says
September 15th, 2008 @ 4:21 am

[...] recently ran across this post and found it very [...]
Richard K Miller
September 15th, 2008 @ 3:05 pm

I think you should consider your authenticity a strength! It should be comforting to our friends of other faiths that members of the Church are of varying opinions and that — gasp — some of them like Mountain Dew. Your “realness” makes it easier to be curious about the Church, not harder.

I love the quote from Elder Ballard’s talk in D.C. that m&m cited above. There are many ways to share how the Gospel affects our lives without sounding preachy or homogenous.
Karen
September 15th, 2008 @ 3:22 pm

Thanks for sharing yourself, and your non-vanilla-ness.
I, too, like Elder Ballard’s perspective, as shared by m&m, in sharing the ways our lives are infused with our faith…. I think we tend to think of “bearing our testimony” online, and it sounds a little too sacrosanct, or out of place in some venues, but I don’t think we need to be directly preaching doctrine to show how we live, what we do on the weekends, and how our beliefs influence us and help us through the tedious, the prosaic, and the wonderful. That dispels more misperceptions that we’re secretive, have 14 husbands, etc. than pages of rebuttles often can, and welcomes friends of other faiths into our lives. Thanks again, Karen
m&m
September 15th, 2008 @ 3:34 pm

Geo, I LOVE your thoughts on this topic! Wonderful! Thank you for sharing them.
Which Mormons should share their beliefs online, and is there only one way to do it?
September 15th, 2008 @ 4:03 pm

[...] beliefs on the Internet. Learn more about what Mormons believe or talk with Mormons at LDS.net.At Have you born your testimony on YouTube yet? Jane shares a concern about sharing the Gospel online: I am ready to put a link to the church under [...]
Jane @ What About Mom
September 15th, 2008 @ 9:04 pm

One thing I wanted to say was (as Karen says) that if the only thing my blog does is show people that Mormons are pretty darn normal, with a lot of the same worries, joys, frustrations, goals, etc, then it’s well worth the time.

I had one friend (whom I met blogging) tell me that I’m the funniest Mormon she knows. I think she must not know very many Mormons, and she’d never read Seriously So Blessed before I pointed her towards it, either.
Natasha @ Becoming Something
September 19th, 2008 @ 9:19 pm

I read most of these comments but not all. I don’t know why I feel like I should clear that up. ??

When I had a blog that was attached to my business I never blogged about religion in the slightest. I blogged about things that some people might think were inappropriate for attaching to a business but never politics or religion. I just didn’t think it was appropriate. And a part of me always felt guilty about that. I was in part afraid that some businesses I wanted to partner with wouldn’t do so with me if they knew I was Mormon.

I had known about the church encouraging us to blog and talk about the church online before the Ensign article came out. I read something in Church News (and like, I NEVER read Church News so it MUST be a “sign”!). Then when the Ensign came out I said, That’s it. I’m doing this.

I talk about the church quite a bit here and there on my new blog. It’s in my header that I’m LDS.

And I have very strong opinions about the right way and wrong way to do share the gospel through blogging. I’m not usually this opinionated but I’m adamant that I’m right when it comes to this. (Ha! Now you’re interested, right?)

I came across a blog that was started by an LDS woman just to share the gospel with people. She read that Ballard article and by golly, she was going to obey it.

The thing is, her blog was about NOTHING BUT HER BELIEFS. The whole blog REEKED of motive. Like, *I* even believe the same things as her and I couldn’t stand to read it. Because I am the only member in my family and I have many friends who are not LDS. I’m very sympathetic to their beliefs and it gets my defenses up when I read stuff from clearly sheltered, hyper-conservative Mormons who think that “judge not unrighteously” means that you CAN judge if you’re RIGHT about what you’re judging. Argh.

The only people who are going to read a blog like are people who already agree with her and people who want to argue about it. So, this does NOTHING to further Ballard’s goal.

To carry out Ballard’s goal, we should be blogging about everyday stuff and be who we are. I loved that I saw on Jane’s blog something like “hey, I didn’t say I was a GOOD Mormon”. Because people who aren’t LDS are going to read that and feel at ease. They’re going to understand that even though she’s not a Molly Mormon, she is still trying.

Think about how much more meaningful it is when someone says, “Argh. I have such a hard time with not swearing” or “Man, I would love a coffee right now” that they’re still active members of the church. Sure, some people are going to read that and say, “These poor people believe that they’re being bad. I don’t like all that guilt their church puts on them.” But if we keep that thought in mind and address it with our testimonies and the joy we feel in the gospel, it suggests that our testimonies are more important than what we WANT. It suggests that Hey, maybe THEY could be Mormon too. That maybe they could feel comfortable coming to church even if they smell like cigarette smoke. It suggests that maybe our doctrine is unforgiving (many non-members think this) but we as PEOPLE are forgiving. It suggests that we’re not going to judge them for not living exactly like us.

THESE are the people we WANT reading our blogs!

I write almost everything on my blog as if I’m writing it to my athiest friends. I show compassion for their beliefs. I say things like, Man, I know that’s hard to believe but I SO do. (I think the key is that I’m genuine. Not trying to sound more liberal than I am.)

I’m not trying to sound like an arrogant jerk, like I know what’s best. This topic is one of the few things I would ever write about so arrogantly, like I know I’m right. I’m NEVER like that. I try to always write in such a way as to be neutral or respectful and open-minded.

It’s just that I’ve been a non-Member. And I’ve seen lifers be inconsiderate idiots to non-Members. And I’m so frustrated with seeing this philosophy of Conversion-via-Example-of-Perfection. If we portray ourselves as perfect moms who never lose our tempers and doting wives who are patient all the time, and act like we pray eight times a day and only listen to hymns and Christian music and (you get the idea)… this MIGHT show other Christians how powerful our religion is. BUT. It will only discourage and alienate the agnostics and atheists who are increasing in numbers.

The fact that we continue to strive and participate in the church while struggling to become something better is testimony that the gospel has holding power. It shows promise. It’s intriguing.

Which brings me to another point: We shouldn’t give it all away. Allow some intrigue. Don’t try to explain everything.

As far as the YouTube testimonies, I think it’s awesome but not if it’s a recreation of what happens on Fast & Testimony Sundays. Check out Glenn Beck’s, if you haven’t already. It’s SO. VERY. AWESOME. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKtAPT9KEfM
m&m
September 19th, 2008 @ 11:02 pm

t gets my defenses up when I read stuff from clearly sheltered, hyper-conservative Mormons who think that “judge not unrighteously” means that you CAN judge if you’re RIGHT about what you’re judging. Argh.

Uh, and that isn’t a judgmental comment? Wow.

I think you are right about Elder Ballard’s idea about blogging about our lives, but bear in mind that not everyone is blogging to respond directly to Elder Ballard. Some people blog to sort out and record their thoughts and bounce them off of people who do believe the same way. Or just to sort out their thoughts. I think it’s a bit much to then assume that they are hyper-conservative and sheltered. Or doing it wrong.

Of course we ought to be sensitive, and to keep in mind that Elder Ballard said that no one likes to have religion shoved down their throats. But, I also think that there are different styles and personalities and approaches that will reach different people.

Fellow Mormon bloggers deserve some compassion, too, imo. Even if you think they are doing it wrong.
Natasha @ Becoming Something
September 20th, 2008 @ 12:25 am

Let me be clear: It was ONE blog in particular. One blog that stated the reason for the blogging. The one blog written by someone who was a life-long member and felt it okay to speak as passionately as I did about people who are “unrighteous”. THAT was what I was saying was wrong. Church leaders have said that’s wrong in other venues. Hinckley telling us not to be arrogant. Other leaders have said to not shove our religion down people’s throats, although not in so many words. We’re told by Ballard to be tolerant.

Like I said, I don’t usually write this way or think this way about most things. But this was one heated comment from me, not an entire blog supposedly designed to convert people.

The rest of my comment was hypothetical, using this person’s blog as an example. Like saying, “Please don’t do this!”

I know that people blog for different reasons. Like I said, I had a blog that wasn’t really well suited for religion.

“Sheltered”? Ya, that could be a judgment. Or an observation. It’s not even meant to be a criticism, more a statement of fact. “Hyper-conservative”? Same idea. The criticism was with the point of view, not the description of “sheltered” and “hyper-conservative”. But ya, you could read some judgment in there.