**I spoke in sacrament meeting today. My talk was to be based on Elder Andersen's talk We Talk of Christ and Bishop Harding also specifically asked me to talk about how we can talk of Christ on social media. Here's my talk:
What do you spend time talking about? Perhaps you spend time talking about your family. Or maybe sports. (That wouldn’t be me!) Or maybe books you have read recently (that would be me!) Or maybe politics. Or maybe you talk about art or tv shows or movies. Most likely you talk about things that are interesting and important to you. Typically I think we can learn a lot about a person based on what they talk about. I like to talk about my family, about books I’m reading, about teaching, and (in a positive way) about my friends and their importance in my life. These things matter to me. I also love to talk about the gospel and about the Savior.
Elder Andersen gave a talk in October Conference entitled “We Talk of Christ.” Much of what I will share will be based on his talk.
In 2017 President Nelson studied all 2,200 references of the name Jesus Christ listed in the Topical Guide.8 When Sister Nelson asked President Nelson about the impact of this study, he said, “I am a changed man.” He then said, ““As we invest time in learning about the Savior and His atoning sacrifice, we are drawn to [Him]. …
“… Our focus [becomes] riveted on the Savior and His gospel.”
Elder Andersen said, “In a world of work, worries, and worthy endeavors, we keep our heart, our mind, and our thoughts on Him who is our hope and salvation.
If a renewed study of the Savior helped prepare President Nelson, could it not help prepare us as well?”
I know it can!!
This past year held both a lot of good and a lot of bad. For me, personally, the two things that were the best about this past year were having more time with my family and studying the names of the Savior. Since March, each week I have selected a name of the Savior to ponder and to read about. I have mentioned this before in my testimony, so I apologize for repeating this...but I choose a name and try to choose an image that helps me picture that name. I usually read at least a few verses of scripture where that name is mentioned. During the week, I think about that name and how Christ acts in that role for me personally. As I have done that, my love for the Savior has grown. Here’s the thing: I have had a testimony of the Savior most or all my life. I want to be like Him. I love Him. But I know Him better now than I did a year ago. I think of Him as so much more than just my Savior and Redeemer now. Along with being my Savior and Redeemer, He is my Rock. I can rely on Him when the world feels unsteady or when it is literally SHAKING as it did back in March. He is the Great Physician and can heal me...both physically and spiritually and boy have we needed a healer this year! He is my Deliverer...delivering TO me all the greatest gifts (better than an Amazon delivery guy!) and delivering me FROM my sins, sorrows and ultimately from death. He is the founder of peace...and I have needed peace this year as the world seems to lack peace. He is Rabboni, meaning teacher and so much of what I know about teaching comes from Him. He is Immanuel...which means literally God with Us. Whatever I have experienced this year, He has been there by my side. When I suddenly and unexpectedly went from teaching in person to teaching online (something that has now continued for 10 months for me!!), He was there to strengthen me and help me figure out technology that I was not adept at. When I couldn’t meet with the young women in person and girls camp and trek and so many other events were cancelled, He quietly led me to know how to continue to love and serve and teach the young women. How to help the youth plan a virtual girls camp and a virtual youth conference and so on. I haven’t done it perfectly and I long for the day when we can all gather in person, but through the Savior and the Holy Ghost I have been led to know how to magnify my calling. When I have felt scared, lonely, sad, or discouraged, the Savior has come as Immanuel, as Wonderful Counselor, as the Light of the World, as the Author and Finisher of my Faith when my faith felt all but finished. I love Him so very much and even more now than I did last January, though I loved Him then. This has come as a result of study...but also as a result of really needing His help, His answers, His goodness in my life during the challenges of the past year. I prefer my learning to come from books—and I’m pretty good at learning from books—but I recognize that life is meant to be a laboratory and the most lasting learning and growth happens as we EXPERIENCE things, not just read about them. I’m so grateful for the ways I’ve grown closer to my beloved Savior this past year.
Listen to just a small part of Elder Andersen’s description of the Savior: “Like a guiding star in a clear, dark sky, Jesus Christ lights our way. He came to earth in a humble stable. He lived a perfect life. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He was a friend to the forgotten. He taught us to do good, to obey, and to love one another. He was crucified on a cross, rising majestically three days later, allowing us and those we love to live beyond the grave. With His incomparable mercy and grace, He took upon Himself our sins and our suffering, bringing forgiveness as we repent and peace in the storms of life. We love Him. We worship Him. We follow Him. He is the anchor of our souls.”
Elder Andersen spoke of how many people are turning away from faith in Christ. Faith in Christ is waning in much of the world. Then Elder Andersen said these words that seemed to burn into my soul. It’s likely you’ll remember them: “You and I speak of Jesus Christ, but maybe we can do a little better. If the world is going to speak less of Him, who is going to speak more of Him? We are! Along with other devoted Christians!”
As the world speaks less of Him, we will speak more of Him! That’s a challenge I want to undertake!!
But if we want to talk more of Christ, we have to know about Christ and we have to know Christ. When I was about 6 years old, one day I was at school and another student asked me if I was Catholic or Christian. I’d never heard either of those words before and didn’t really know what they meant. I asked a clarifying question and then said, “Well I’m a Mormon so I think maybe that’s Christian.” My friend assured me it was not Christian. I went home and told my parents about the conversation and I think they were a little embarrassed that I didn’t know I was Christian...but they taught me what that meant and that I AM Christian. Since that time, my knowledge and understanding has grown. We can’t speak of Christ if we don’t know about him and don’t have a relationship with Him.
At the beginning I asked you to think about what you talk about often. Was one of the things that came to mind for you the Savior? If not—or even if it was—how can you and I do a little better at following the counsel in 2 Nephi 25:26? “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” Can we talk a little more about Christ in our homes? In our families? Here in Church? And in the world, including on social media? How?
Perhaps when a child comes to us with a problem, we can talk about how Christ handled a similar situation. Perhaps when we speak—regardless of the topic we are assigned—we can be a little more mindful of connecting our topic to the Savior. We can share a little more openly with friends, neighbors, and even on social media the impact that the gospel of Jesus Christ has on our lives.
Elder Bednar gave a beautiful address about social media usage at BYU Education Week in 2014. He talked about how technologies have come forth at this time for the specific purpose of gathering Israel and hastening the Lord’s work. It’s no accident that we have access to communication tools that allow us to share our testimonies with hundreds or thousands of others with the click of a button. Elder Bednar gave some great counsel regarding social media use:
“We and our messages should seek to edify and uplift rather than to argue, debate, condemn, or belittle. Share the gospel with genuine love and concern for others. Be courageous and bold but not overbearing in sustaining and defending our beliefs, and avoid contention. As disciples our purpose should be to use social media channels as a means of projecting the light and truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ into a world that increasingly is dark and confused.”
I loved this...especially these words...edify, uplift, genuine love, courageous, avoid contention, project light and truth...
I was specifically asked to spend a few minutes talking about social media and how that can be a tool to “talk of Christ.” I’d like to share some examples that I have seen or heard about right here in our ward.
One of the young women regularly posts scriptures from the Book of Mormon on her Instagram stories. Typically, it is a verse from the CFM readings that week. Many, if not most, speak of Christ. She lets her testimony be known as she shares.
A member of our ward celebrated her anniversary this past week. She posted on both her personal and business social media accounts. Her post included a photo of her and her husband on their wedding day in front of the temple and then a heartfelt message about the joys and challenges of an eternal marriage. She probably didn’t think of this as “talking of Christ” but I think it was a beautiful way to affirm what she believes and lives.
Another member of the ward told a coworker—who is not a member of our church-- about the message that President Nelson was going to share with the world a week before Thanksgiving. He encouraged his coworker to listen to the message from a prophet of God. His coworker responded to the invitation, listened and even participated in the #givethanks initiative on social media. That ward member was talking of Christ and pointing his coworker to Christ. Many of you also responded to President Nelson’s invitation to post what you were grateful for on social media.
Another ward member invited her (grown) family members over for a holiday celebration. As part of the celebration the family watched The Christ Child video and while that ward member would be the first to tell you that it wasn’t a perfect experience, at least one member of her family felt something as they watched. This is a beautiful example of “talking of Christ.”
Another ward member has a text thread with her family. Their family has a scripture of the week. They send it through text...the scripture, an article to go with that scripture, and then everyone can read and respond when they have time. They send social media posts and inspiring thoughts as well. And because it is through text, they have a written record of their conversations.
Social media makes it so easy to share inspiring messages. These can be your own words or the words of others that you share. Many people are looking for the light and truth we have to offer. I run a group on Facebook that is responding to President Nelson’s invitation to study the blessings promised to covenant Israel. There are over a thousand members now, with new requests to join the group each day. It is a small and simple thing I do to talk of Christ, but I believe it is making a difference in the lives of those who participate. I regularly repost inspiring messages. On several occasions, I have had others reach out and thank me for the messages. Two different friends who are not of our faith have reached out relatively recently and said that a message I shared was really helpful. One friend said that more than once I have shared a message that specifically helped her with something she was facing. It’s so simple to repost something inspiring or something that speaks of Christ...but it can make a big difference.
We have ward and stake Facebook and Instagram pages where inspiring messages are regularly shared.
We are already doing a great job as a ward. I know there are countless other examples I could share. I follow many of you on social media and I see the positive messages that you post and that inspire and uplift and edify me...that bring light and truth into this dark world. But I also think we can do even a little more.
Listen to these words from Elder Bednar:
“What has been accomplished thus far in this dispensation communicating gospel messages through social media channels is a good beginning—but only a small trickle. I now extend to you the invitation to help transform the trickle into a flood. Beginning this day, I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy—and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood (see Moses 7:59–62).”
The word exhort stands out to me in his words. To exhort is strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something. It means to call for, to encourage, to appeal, to beg or beseech. It is a word that leads me to want to ACT. I can do more to talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, and preach of Christ in my home and family, in Church, with friends and neighbors and on social media.
Elder Bednar then went on to say this: “Imagine the impact we can have as hundreds of thousands and millions of members of the Lord’s restored Church contribute in seemingly small ways to the rising floodwaters. May our many small, individual efforts produce a steady rainfall of righteousness and truth that gradually swells a multitude of streams and rivers—and ultimately becomes a flood that sweeps the earth. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).
We can talk more of Christ. As the world talks less of Christ, we WILL talk more of Him! I exhort you to join me in that—in our homes, in our families, with neighbors and friends and even on social media! Out of our small acts will proceed that which is great!
Every time I read Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision, my heart is touched. This week was no different and I found his words ringing in my head. “I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two aPersonages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was bhated and cpersecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me dfalsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not edeny it, neither dared I do it;”
While we have not had the same experiences that Joseph had, may we also bear testimony to what we do know with the same conviction as Joseph.
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