Presentation on the LDS Church's use of technology to do the work of the Lord and spread the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Several quotes from Elder David A. Bednar's talk, To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood. Also a visual model of the Digital Universe (all the public web properties) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church).

1. The LDS Church’s Use of
Technology
Presentation by Jimmy Smith @jrs76
October 19, 2014

2. 2
Agenda
• Timeline of Technology Statements
• Statements from our prophets and apostles on the use
of technology to further the work of the Lord
• LDS Church Digital Universe
• Video: Elder Bednar: The Sweep the Earth as with a
Flood
• Video: “I pray when …”
• Members’ Use of the Internet in Church Callings

3. 3
• "Every discovery in science and art, that is
really true and useful to mankind has been
given by direct revelation from God,
though but few acknowledge it. It has
been given with a view to prepare the way
for the ultimate triumph of truth, and the
redemption of the earth from the power of
sin and Satan. We should take advantage
of all these great discoveries, the
accumulated wisdom of ages, and give to
our children the benefit of every branch of
useful knowledge, to prepare them to step
forward and efficiently do their part in the
great work.”
• Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954]
1862
• Brigham Young
1966
• David O. McKay
1974
• Spencer W. Kimball
2008
• M. Russell Ballard
2013
• L. Tom Perry
2014
• David A. Bednar

4. 4
• Pres. McKay prophesied scientific
discoveries that “stagger the
imagination” would make possible the
preaching of the gospel to every
kindred, tongue, and people.
• "Discoveries latent with such potent
power, either for the blessing or the
destruction of human beings, as to
make man’s responsibility in controlling
them the most gigantic ever placed in
human hands. … This age is fraught with
limitless perils, as well as untold
possibilities”
• Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 4
1862
• Brigham Young
1966
• David O. McKay
1974
• Spencer W. Kimball
2008
• M. Russell Ballard
2013
• L. Tom Perry
2014
• David A. Bednar

5. 5
• "I believe that the Lord is anxious to put
into our hands inventions of which we
laymen have hardly had a glimpse. …With
the Lord providing these miracles of
communication, and with the increased
efforts and devotion of our missionaries
and all of us, and all others who are ‘sent,’
surely the divine injunction will come to
pass: ‘For, verily, the sound must go forth
from this place into all the world, and unto
the uttermost parts of the earth—the
gospel must be preached unto every
creature’ (D&C 58:64)”
• When the World Will Be Converted, Ensign, Oct.
1974
1862
• Brigham Young
1966
• David O. McKay
1974
• Spencer W. Kimball
2008
• M. Russell Ballard
2013
• L. Tom Perry
2014
• David A. Bednar

6. 6
• “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.”
• Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet - Ensign
July 2008
1862
• Brigham Young
1966
• David O. McKay
1974
• Spencer W. Kimball
2008
• M. Russell Ballard
2013
• L. Tom Perry
2014
• David A. Bednar

7. 7
• “When I was a young missionary, we were able
to speak with contacts on the street and knock
on doors to share the gospel. The world has
changed since that time. Now, many people are
involved in the busyness of their lives. They
hurry here and there, and they are often less
willing to allow complete strangers to enter
their homes, uninvited, to share a message of
the restored gospel. Their main point of contact
with others, even with close friends, is often via
the Internet. The very nature of missionary
work, therefore, must change if the Lord is to
accomplish His work of gathering Israel ‘from
the four corners of the earth’ (2 Nephi 21:12).”
• Missionary Work in the Digital Age, Worldwide
leadership training meeting, June 2013
1862
• Brigham Young
1966
• David O. McKay
1974
• Spencer W. Kimball
2008
• M. Russell Ballard
2013
• L. Tom Perry
2014
• David A. Bednar

8. 8
• “Messages and pictures that used to
require days, weeks, and months to
send and receive now can be
communicated around the world in
seconds. We thank thee, O God, for the
prophets who have taught and prepared
us for the time in which we live—and
who have urged us to use technological
advancements to support the ongoing
mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.”
• To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood, Aug 2014
1862
• Brigham Young
1966
• David O. McKay
1974
• Spencer W. Kimball
2008
• M. Russell Ballard
2013
• L. Tom Perry
2014
• David A. Bednar

9. http://prezi.com/xhfxaasktxfs/lds-church-digital-universe/ 9

10. 10
Elder Bednar Video
• To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood, Aug 2014
• Video segment 13:50 – 14:45

11. 11
“I pray when …” Video
• Example of a gospel message created by Church
members and communicated through social media
• To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood, Aug 2014
• Video segment 18:47 – 21:37

12. 12
Handbook 2: Members’ Use of
the Internet in Church Callings
• Recently updated guidelines open up the use of
websites and social media accounts for members in
carrying out their callings.
• Handbook 2 (section 21.1.22) states:
• “Members may not create websites, blogs, or
social media profiles on behalf of the Church or
to officially represent the Church and its views.
However, they may create websites, blogs, or
social media profiles to assist with their
callings.”

13. 13
• “How will you use these marvelous
inventions? More to the point, how will you
use them to further the work of the Lord?”
• Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet, Ensign, July 2008

14. 14
How the Church is Using
Technology

15. 15
Action Items:
Suggested Places to Start
• Create an LDS Account
• ldsaccount.lds.org
• Securely allows access to additional Church content and features on
LDS.org and Mobile Apps
• Download one of the Church’s mobile apps
• https://www.lds.org/pages/mobileapps
• Start with Gospel Library or LDS Tools
• Try out social media
• There is no better way of learning than doing
• Visit some of the Church sites you haven’t before
• And share the interesting things you find
• Index (it’s a stake goal!) on FamilySearch.org
• Get help from your kids and grandkids, if necessary

16. 16
Thank You
• Contact me, Jimmy Smith, on Twitter @jrs76
• Find this presentation online at
slideshare.net/jrs76
• LDS Church Digital Universe Prezi interactive
infographic