The Mormons!

Elder Ballard (for those of you not of the Mormon Church, he is a member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles) recently spoke to graduating students at BYU-Hawaii encouraging them to use "new media". For whole article see: http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/apostle-urges-students-to-use-new-media
It is true that, "conversations about the Church would take place whether or not Church members decided to participate in them", so this was his counsel to those students:
“We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches,” he said.

“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.”

In response to that, I decided to create a new blog to begin "Mormon conversations". In the semester before I had Brenden, I got to work in the mormon.org area of the MTC. At first there were not that many questions being asked, but the people that came on were very sincere and had important questions about life and the church. It was so much fun talking about the church to those either trying to learn about it or clarify what they heard about the Mormons. After the Church changed the Mormon.org website to include video clips from converts conversion stories, the amount of people that came on to ask questions went up 200%. There is definitely a need for people to answer serious and important questions about this life, the life after this one, and basic Church beliefs and practices. Wouldn't it be awesome if we all got so involved with "Mormon conversations" that the critics and misconceptions all stood corrected?!
I remember that awhile ago Elder Ballard also spoke on media and told us to "Let Our Voices Be Heard" and let those who promote, write, or report on offensive subjects or misconceptions about the Church to know that what they did was incorrect; as well as thank those who write and promote correct and appropriate things. (See: http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=f951ee9ba42fe010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1)
The London Bureau Chief of the Washington Post recently published an article about the Mormon Church as one that is Global and focused specifically on why there was a 10% increase of Mormon Church members in Nigeria. This is the link to her article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2007/11/18/ST2007111801409.html?hpid=moreheadlines
There was just one part about her view of 'why' the Church extended the priesthood to all worthy males in the Church that was probably not quite accurate, but other than that, she did a wonderful job and I emailed her to let her know that her responsible research was appreciated and she emailed me back her thanks! Sure it may not mean much and reporters are usually busy, but it does make a difference and I hope that many more Mormon conversations will be taken up with the members themselves and not left up to the critics and speculation. Elder Ballards interview was even posted on YouTube regarding questions such as:
Are Mormons Christians?
Why do people say Mormonism is a cult?
How do Mormon beliefs differ from other Christians?
Is there Scientific proof authenticating the Book of Mormon?
Do Mormons worship Jesus Christ in their Church services?
It seems like the Church really is coming out in all kinds of "New Media". And he is right: "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".
This is my new website: http://themormonchurch.blogspot.com/