{"id":481,"date":"2007-12-15T23:20:42","date_gmt":"2007-12-16T06:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newcoolthang.com\/index.php\/2007\/12\/welcome-to-the-big-time-bloggernacle\/481\/"},"modified":"2020-01-09T05:44:47","modified_gmt":"2020-01-09T12:44:47","slug":"welcome-to-the-big-time-bloggernacle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.newcoolthang.com\/index.php\/2007\/12\/welcome-to-the-big-time-bloggernacle\/481\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to the big time, Bloggernacle"},"content":{"rendered":"

As has been mentioned in a couple of other bloggernacle blogs (Julie at T&S<\/a>, sidebar at BCC<\/a>, and live on-location reporting from Steve H. at Splendid Sun<\/a> among others), Elder Ballard just<\/a> encouraged<\/a> the graduating class at BYU-Hawaii to start a blog. <\/p>\n

No, I’m not kidding.<\/p>\n

Here are some excerpts from the talk<\/a>:<\/p>\n

As I look into your young faces, it is an uncomfortable reminder that I am in my 80th year. By some accounts that makes me pretty old. Actually, some folks think some of the Brethren may be too old to know what’s going on in your world. Let me assure you we are very much aware…<\/p>\n

This is your world, the world of the future, with inventions undreamed of that will come in your lifetime as they have in mine. How will you use these marvelous inventions? More to the point, how will you use them to further the work of the Lord? …<\/p>\n

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 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the pen is mightier than the sword.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d In many cases, it is with words that you will accomplish the great things that you will now set out to do. …<\/p>\n

Today we have a modern equivalent of the printing press in the Internet and all that it means. The Internet allows everyone to be a publisher, to have their voice heard, and it is revolutionizing society. Before the Internet, there were great barriers to printing. It took money, power, or influence and a great amount of time to publish. But today, because of the emergence of what some call New Media, made possible by the Internet, many of those barriers have been removed. New Media consists of tools on the Internet that make it possible for nearly anyone to publish or broadcast to either a large or a niche audience. I have mentioned some of these tools already, and I know you are familiar with them. The emergence of New Media is facilitating a world-wide conversation on almost every subject including religion, and nearly everyone can participate. This modern equivalent of the printing press is not reserved only for the elite. …<\/p>\n

Now some of these tools \u00e2\u20ac\u201c like any tool in an unpracticed or undisciplined hand \u00e2\u20ac\u201c can be dangerous…<\/p>\n

As you know, the New Media has already profoundly impacted the old world of newspapers and other traditional media. Once upon a time, as a church leader I might give a newspaper interview, then wait a day or two for it to appear somewhere deep inside the newspaper. Then that newspaper was thrown away, and whatever impact it might have had dissipated rather quickly…<\/p>\n

You can see how important the right words are today. Words recorded on the Internet do not disappear. Any search by Google or Yahoo is going to find one’s words, probably for a very long time…<\/p>\n

That word conversation<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

The challenge is that there are too many people participating in conversation about the Church for our Church personnel to converse with and respond to individually. We cannot answer every question, satisfy every inquiry, and respond to every inaccuracy that exists. As I said at General Conference in October, we need to remember that there is a difference between interest and mere curiosity. Sometimes people just want to know what the Church is. And some who seek answers want them to come directly from a member of the Church, like each one of you. They appreciate one-on-one conversations…<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration. Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true. …<\/p>\n

We are living in a world saturated with all kinds of voices. Perhaps now, more than ever, we have a major responsibility as Latter-day Saints to define ourselves, instead of letting others define us. Far too many people have a poor understanding of the Church because most of the information they hear about us is from news media reports that are often driven by controversies. Too much attention to controversy has a negative impact on peoples\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 perceptions of what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really is…<\/p>\n

As I said in the beginning, the power of words is incredible. Let your voice be heard in this great cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

First, to all y’all Mormons who are interested in blogging on Mormonism and getting some extra traffic to your new blogs, feel free to shoot us an email over at the Mormon Archipelago (aka ldsblogs.org)<\/a>. We are always happy to add good quality blogs focusing on Mormonism.<\/p>\n

Second, what do you seasoned Mormon bloggers think? We have been predicting some acknowledgment of Mormon blogs from SLC for some time. While this is no shout out to the little coalition of blogs we generally call the bloggernacle, it is certainly a green light for us to keep on keepin’ on with our authentic Mormon blogging I think. I for one am pleased that the first comments from an apostle on the subject of Mormons blogging has been an encouragement to press on rather than a discouragement. <\/p>\n

What is your take?