Internet Safety

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by pam

Unfortunately I have found this to be very true especially lately.

That is why you ask your cyber friend for the name of the ward and stake that they are in, and the name of their bishop. Then you can go online to mormon.org - pull up their ward and check to see if they gave you the correct bishops name. Now write a letter to the snail mail address and ask LOTS of pertinent questions about your cyber friend.

My HT was the branch clerk, and he got me the email address of my now husbands bishop and I emailed him quit a list of questions.

[Honor]

Originally Posted by Iggy

That is why you ask your cyber friend for the name of the ward and stake that they are in, and the name of their bishop. Then you can go online to mormon.org - pull up their ward and check to see if they gave you the correct bishops name. Now write a letter to the snail mail address and ask LOTS of pertinent questions about your cyber friend.

My HT was the branch clerk, and he got me the email address of my now husbands bishop and I emailed him quit a list of questions.

Interesting approach, but if anybody asked me that information I'd probably say, "Excuse me, but just who do you think you are?" At least here in Utah, giving out your ward is just about the next best thing to giving out your home address. Plus, they have as much of a reason to believe that you are who you say you are as you have to believe them. If someone is out to fool you they'll know exactly where to look for this kind of stuff or they'll be as transparent as can be. If you can find out the name of a bishop with a ward name - so can they. You need to assume that they have access to every bit of the same info that you do.

I'd also be interested to know how a bishop would respond to a request for information like that. I certainly wouldn't appreciate my bishop telling someone who met me online info about me. His job is to look out for ME, not the other person.

I say pay attention to things people tell you. If something doesn't add up, be wary and trust your instincts. GENERALLY if I've felt that something was a bit off with a situation, I was usually right. I try to take what people say online at face value until it has a direct impact on me and then I'll question everything.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Honor

Interesting approach, but if anybody asked me that information I'd probably say, "Excuse me, but just who do you think you are?" At least here in Utah, giving out your ward is just about the next best thing to giving out your home address. Plus, they have as much of a reason to believe that you are who you say you are as you have to believe them. If someone is out to fool you they'll know exactly where to look for this kind of stuff or they'll be as transparent as can be. If you can find out the name of a bishop with a ward name - so can they. You need to assume that they have access to every bit of the same info that you do.

I'd also be interested to know how a bishop would respond to a request for information like that. I certainly wouldn't appreciate my bishop telling someone who met me online info about me. His job is to look out for ME, not the other person.

I say pay attention to things people tell you. If something doesn't add up, be wary and trust your instincts. GENERALLY if I've felt that something was a bit off with a situation, I was usually right. I try to take what people say online at face value until it has a direct impact on me and then I'll question everything.

Honor- I was of course talking about those who are using LDS internet dating services. When it comes to when one of them wants a face to face- then exchange this information.

When husband and I reached that point, I told my Branch President that he would be hearing from him and visa-versa. My Branch President also talked with husbands Bishop.

Those who are not LDS and are on LDS based dating services and forums don't talk the talk or walk the walk. I came across quite a few before I met Husband. After about the 3rd pm I knew they were phonies. Same goes with those who come here to this forum and try to pass themselves off as LDS. They just can not talk the talk.

Another thing- if you really want to meet your cyberspace friend, meet INSIDE the Temple. I would recommend you meet when your Ward or Stake are all going. OR plan a LDS.net get together and meet that way.

[pam]

I think both of you have made wonderful comments. I thank both of you. Both make wonderful sense to me.