How to Use the Interwebs Like a Mormon

I love to write (don't know if you can tell), and I have put some of my stories online. When I started doing that, I made the decision to only write clean, uplifting, or moral things. This applied to more sites than just Facebook. Wherever I am on the web, I want people to be able to say, "Oh, yeah, that sounds like something a Mormon would say."

Part of this reasoning comes from the fact that the internet is far less forgiving than our Savior. I found that everything that you want permanent online often disappears, and nothing you want deleted is ever permanently gone. Consequences of online actions can still haunt us long after we've repented.

The other day, I read this in Alma 12:14. "For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence." Every aspect of our lives will be judged, including our Facebook page. We cannot think that what we do online is an exception to this rule.

So here are a few guidelines that Sister Johnson uses.

1. Don't get in arguments online. Calm discussions are fine, but fights aren't fun and give you lingering negative feelings, even if you win.

2. Use uplifting language. Don't swear, don't tell dirty jokes, and don't post negative things about others. Let your permanent internet things be good things.

3. Monitor your pictures. Just like choosing to wear modest clothing, there is a way to present yourself modestly in photos. Does your picture say, "Cute," or does it say, "Sexy?" Be honest with yourself. Sexy is inappropriate.

4. Use your computer in a public place. If you would be embarrassed for your family or others to see what you're doing or reading online, you probably shouldn't be there. Use that to your advantage to protect yourself spiritually.

5. Put a name on what you say, even if it's not your real name. You may feel that what you do or say as an anonymous user doesn't hurt you, but this is a lie sponsored by Satan. A mask of anonymity often tempts people to do things they wouldn't normally do, like cyber-bullying. So make an account and sign in.

6. Follow church pages and channels so uplifting, edifying things will appear on your newsfeeds. All of the apostles have Facebook pages now, and there's a Mormon Channel on YouTube. The internet is cool now because you can see what you want to and not see what you don't want to.

Now watch this: Bullying: Stop It

I'm not an academic sort of person. How do I study the scriptures?

Why don't we start a study session and work on this together? First we're going to need some materials. A Book of Mormon to start with.

Ah! Thank you!

Now we need a study journal.

This will do.

Let's get a clock as well.

I don't think Mom will mind if I borrow this.

And finally, a Spiritual Enlightenment Enhancement Device. It works best with the pointy end down.

Ooh! Let's pick the red one.

Okay. So. Let's set the clock for thirty minutes. If you don't have as much time, you can set it for 15 minutes. If you have loads of time, an hour could work. It's whatever fits with your schedule. And you do have to schedule it in. Pick a time in the day that will give you the best opportunity to learn. Why do we set a time limit rather than a chapter limit? you may ask. The Book of Mormon isn't a chapter book or a history textbook in the normal sense. We want to be led by the Spirit in what we study.

Speaking of, we need to start with a prayer too. Gotta invite the Holy Ghost.

We open our Book of Mormon, get out our journal, and have our colored pencil at the ready. Now we have two options: Study by the chapter, or study by the topic.

Study by Chapter
So you're OCD like me and would rather read in order, eh? That's cool. I like getting the full picture and being surprised by what I end up learning. I'm on 2 Nephi 32.

I may have gotten ahead of myself. SO MANY COLORS!!!!

As you read, underline or shade any words, phrases, or verses that you like or that stand out to you. There is no wrong way to highlight your scriptures. I use different colors to mean different things. You can start with just red and work your way up. Like, verse 3 is awesome. And verses 8 and 9 have some parts that make me want to pray more.

Study by Topic
Maybe you're feeling like Heavenly Father wants you to study a certain topic, like Humility. The Index has bunches of scriptures on that!

See?

Ether 12:27 looks good. Or how about Mosiah 3:19? I wonder what Alma 5:27 says? And if we look up pride, we can learn more about the opposite of humility and what not to do.

Now let's get a pen and put that blank paper to work. I guess you could use your pencil too. Maybe you can write down how Satan doesn't want you to pray, but Heavenly Father wants you to pray always. Or if you're studying about humility, write about how God has given us weaknesses to keep us humble, but that doesn't mean we're doomed to be weak.

Keep writing. Keep reading. Sometimes you'll read more than you write. Sometimes you'll write down more than you thought you read, and then some more. That's why we need to have the Spirit with us.

Our time is up, and you can get back to work. Now go about your day feeling far more refreshed and spiritually strong!

How to Write a Talk

Uh oh. The Bishop just asked you to give a talk next week in Sacrament Meeting. From the sound of every Sacrament Talk Ever, this is something most people avoid. You're not a public speaker. Why couldn't the Bishop have asked Brother Smith who has something to say for every question in the Gospel Doctrines class?

Relax. This doesn't have to be a big deal. Almost no one who gives a talk in Sacrament Meeting is an experienced public speaker. I took debate for three years to gain some confidence to speak at church, and I still get nervous. However, as long as you are prepared, the Spirit will fill your mouth and you will touch the hearts of everyone in the congregation.

Step One: Identify your Topic
   This is usually pretty easy because the Bishop just gives it to you. If the Bishop gave you free reign, pray about it. If he gave you a talk to speak on, boil it down to one or two words. Then take some time to meditate on it.

Step Two: Research
    This step should take most of your time. Spend a few hours or days just doing research on your topic.
Scriptures
Church Magazines
LDS.org for basically everything else
True to the Faith is a great resource for simplified definitions of gospel topics.
Preach My Gospel can help a lot too.

Step Three: Write an Outline
    This is just like writing an essay. Remember how you thought, "I've graduated from school. I'll never have to write another essay ever again!" Well, you were sadly mistaken.
     The ward loves to hear your personal experiences, so don't avoid using them because you think you're boring. You are awesome and unique and stuff. Your experiences helped build your testimony, so use them.
     This is my favorite outline. Change up the order or add/delete stuff as needed.

Introduce yourself and your topic

Point One

     -Scripture

     -Quote from a talk

     -Personal experience

Point Two

     -Scripture

     -Quote from a talk

     -Personal experience

Point Three

     -Scripture

     -Quote from a talk

     -Personal experience

Close with Testimony on topic

Step Four: Flesh it Out (optional)
    Some people like to speak from an outline. I do not. I like to write out my essay/talk/oration. The more research you've done, the easier this will be. The better you understand your topic, the simpler you will be in explaining it.

Step Five: Practice on your Cat
     Your cat will judge you far more than the ward will. Practicing will help you get out some of your jitters.

-or-

Step Five: Practice on an Unsuspecting Non-Member Friend

     Why not do some missionary work while you're working on your talk? Practice on a trusted friend who won't be mean, but can give you some constructive criticism.

Step Six: Give a Masterful Talk in Sacrament Meeting that goes Better Than Expected

     Prepare yourself for all of the compliments you will receive from the ward. It's not just an assignment; you have helped them feel spiritually uplifted.

-or-

Step Six: Ignore Your Outline or Pre-Written Talk Entirely as You Follow the Spirit When You Speak

     This happens to me more than I thought it would. It's entirely possible for the Spirit to give your talk for you, but you have to have something prepared and have done some of the work.

Congratulations! That wasn't too painful, was it? As an added bonus, you've learned far more about this particular topic than you ever thought you would. Teaching is one of the best ways to learn about any gospel topic. That's probably why Heavenly Father has us give talks in Sacrament meeting.