I was just talking to a friend about the emotional roller-coaster it has been reading and hearing all the voices on social media lately. She noticed I had taken a little social media break and empathized with wanting to step away from it all. I told her I understood what she was saying, but that that wasn’t the reason I took a break. Although it can often feel like a dark world out there where we just want to run away and hide, I believe that just means the world needs more voices of light and truth now more than ever!
Now you may be thinking, “Well yeah! But there’s already a bunch of people who #sharegoodness online. How would my voice make a difference?” Let me whip out a good ol’ cliche for you that is one hundred per cent true, even if it’s a little cheesy. (What’s wrong with a little cheese?) As Dr. Seuss so beautifully stated, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”
You have a purpose in this life that is unique. My goal is to help you define that purpose and use it to influence the world.
When most people seek information or answers to questions, they turn to the internet. Now think about those who search for information or answers about the Church. They will be offered a variety of biased information, good and bad. Good content can be very difficult to find and usually doesn’t answer key questions with absolute truth.
Elder Kevin W. Pearson said, “We must be a voice for truth. We must have the faith and courage to speak up and engage in social media in a positive, responsible, noncontentious, and effective way.”
The more truth that is out there, the easier it is to find. And it’s so important for those of us sharing good content, to remember to point others in the right direction. It can be a fine line of sharing opinion and sharing doctrine. I know many women who follow LDS influencers who share things that sounds true, but are mingled with just enough lies or half-truths that it seems harmless. So please be careful. It is essential that we create and promote online content that effectively communicates what the Church believes in clear, authentic, and engaging ways—especially on some of the most prevalent search topics.
President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Sisters, do you realize the breadth and scope of your influence when you speak those things that come to your heart and mind as directed by the Spirit?” He added, “we need your impressions, your insights, and your inspiration. We need you to speak up and speak out…[we need your] distinctive capabilities and special intuition you have received as gifts from God. We brethren cannot duplicate your unique influence.”
The prophet is speaking to YOU! I am speaking to YOU! You are reading this for a reason. We need your voice of truth and light in this ever-darkening world. I promise that your unique voice will influence your family, your friends, your community, and the world.
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