Yes, Elder M. Russell Ballard is encouraging members to blog and use the internet as positive resprentatives of the Church.
Not only did Elder Ballard say the (ugly) word “blog,” the 79-year old Apostle invoked iTunes (with correct capitalization), podcasts, Facebook, and text-messaging. Kudos to Bookslinger of Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon for specifically being mentioned as a great example of the good a blog can do.
Much of his talk focused on how we can responsibly use the tools of the new media and to worthily represent the Church. I thought his comments served as an excellent reminder of how to be a good blogger:
Every disciple of Christ will be most effective, and do the most good by adopting a demeanor worthy of a follower of the Savior. Discussions focused on questioning, debating and doubting gospel principles do little to build the kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul has admonished us to not be “ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation” (Romans 1:16). Let us all stand firmly and speak with faith in sharing our message with the world. Many of you are returned missionaries and can carry on meaningful conversation in the language you learned on your mission. Your outreach can be international.
As you participate in this conversation and utilize the tools of New Media, remember who you are–Latter-day Saints. Remember as the Proverb states that “a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). And remember that “contention is of the devil.” There is no need to argue or contend with others regarding our beliefs. There is no need to become defensive or belligerent. Our position is solid; the Church is true. We simply need to have a conversation, as friends in the same room would have, always guided by the prompting of the Spirit and constantly remembering the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ which reminds us of how precious are the children of our Father in Heaven.
It’s a little chastising for me too, as this blog gets too mired in the crude politics of the day, it is too easy to get defensive and perhaps belligerent. He even quotes the scripture from which this blog takes its title but fails to live up to.
While the Bloggernacle has its good and bad, I think it serves the Church well for the most part. It’s exciting to see the Church recognize church blogs and to encourage members to join the effort. But also, good for those who have already started the conversation in the Bloggernacle and did not wait to be “command[ed] in all things.”
