Ensign Magazine call for stories about positive uses of the Internet

[Heather]

The April Ensign (p. 2) has a call for stories about positive uses of the Internet:

"Although some Web content can be spiritually dangerous, the Internet also offers many positive opportunities. How have you and your family used this tool in beneficial ways, particularly in ways connected to gospel principles? Please label your response 'Positive Use of the Internet' and send it by May 16 [to ensign@ldschurch.org]."

I think it would be great if any of you would like to share your feelings on how the Internet has been positive in your life. I think there are a lot of great stories from LDS.net that would be perfect to submit to the Ensign. There have been four members from LDS.net who were baptized recently (Pushka, Ex19k, Andrew777 and HoosierGuy) and several people who have had great experience sharing their beliefs with others. I think it would be great if friends of other faiths were to share how having LDS websites on the Internet has a positive affect on your life too.

So please submit your thoughts to ensign@ldschurch.org and also feel free to post them here to share with everyone else.

[PapilioMemnon]

The Ensign is also looking for people to share their thoughts and feeling about General Conference. Read below:

Daily Gems
Share Your Conference Experience
---------------------------------------------------

Please share your thoughts and feelings about general conference with us.
For example, how did you feel as you sustained a new Church President in
the solemn assembly? What personal instruction or inspiration did you
receive from the conference messages? What new thing are you going to do
after listening to conference? What impressed you most about this
conference? E-mail us at ensign@ldschurch.org. Please include your
name, state or province, and country.

Well as heather stated yes I did do a lot of my investigating through this site. And i think i will post a little on the link to the Ensign. Not only is this a great site for investigators to come to have thier questions answered but i have met a lot of great ppl here also.

[Hemidakota]

Same with Church News.

[Heather]

Has anyone had a chance to submit anything?

[Hemidakota]

I nominate Ramenxxxx. LOL

[pam]

Originally Posted by Heather

Has anyone had a chance to submit anything?

Actually I have something I could post to them. I will do it today once I get off work.

[pam]

Okay this is what I sent in and would love to share with everyone whether it gets selected or not.

I just wanted to share how the availability of the internet has helped me. I've been a member all my life. I think at times you become very complacent in your studies of the gospel. I know I have over the years. Since becoming a member of lds.net many years ago and frequenting their forums, I have discovered how that complacency has hindered my growth in the gospel. Many of the topics have gone over my head. LDS.net and it's forums have given me the motivation to study more. To read the scriptures. To read more gospel related books. To stand up for my beliefs. To search for answers, not only that I have but that those searching for the truth have as well. I have a long way to go but step by step...line upon line...precept up on precept. This may not have happened without the availability of the internet and wonderful sites such as lds.net to visit.

[tomk]

Heather:

I sure appreciate your making these kinds of things known to us.


Here is what I submitted to the Ensign:

"Positive Uses of the Internet"

One of the tools on the internet that I benefit from are some of the "LDS"-centric forums that are to be found online. Although not official sites sanctioned by the LDS Church, these forums still present a safe place where myself and other members of my family can interact with members all over the world and share in our common values and maintain our focus on the Savior.

Non-members also frequent these sites. It is a wonderful blessing and priviledge to share with them our beliefs, and as the Spirit directs, invite them to meet in person with our missionaries. I suspect there are many who read what we have to say in these forums who remain silent, but still are able to have that seed planted that Alma talks about in Alma 32. The Lord "worketh by means" and I feel these wholesome internet forums are a good example of this.

Thank you,


Tom Knowlton
Spring Hollow Ward
American Fork, UT

[tomk]

Here is my response to General Conference:

This past October General Conference was a wonderful experience for me and my family. Elder Holland read my mind when he turned to President Monson and gave his personal witness of the "falling of the mantle" upon President Monson's shoulders. I was so glad the Elder Holland took a few minutes to do this, for I believe that such was on the minds of all the Saints at that time. Elder Holland's words were our words, President Monson. We love you and sustain your as our Prophet.

One of the messages that really spoke to me was Elder Bednar's talk about praying with the intention to get-up and DO something. This is an area of prayer that I need to grow in. As the words fell from the mouth of Elder Bednar I felt the Lord's calm witness to me that these words were for me.

I also appreciated Elder Holland's comforting words about an open cannon of scripture. As he testified, this practice of the restored church fundamentally distinguishes us from other Christian faiths. This, plus Elder Holland's first part (given 6 months earlier on the true nature of the Godhead vs the common Trinitarian view) formed a seemless and much needed clarification that we are Christians and that continuing revelation is part of the Living Church of Jesus Christ!

Thank you,


Tom Knowlton
Spring Hollow Ward
American Fork, UT (USA)