About two-thousand years ago, Christ commanded his disciples to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” More recently, Elder David A. Bednar echoed that command when he encouraged 21st-century members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to share their beliefs online. He said, “I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy. …” Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ have answered that call in a variety of creative ways. Of course, sharing that which has brought so much personal joy and fulfillment with a world full of strangers comes with its challenges.
In the face of opposition and antagonism, it can be easy to feel alone. We want Latter-day Saint creators around the world to know that you are not alone. We are here, and we invite you to join us in advancing the cause of Zion by striving to create content guided by the following ideals:
- Love. The Savior Jesus Christ outlined in no uncertain terms what it means to be one of his disciples: “By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” We echo President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel that “Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions. … [Christ’s] true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation.” We strive to meet opposition with patience and respect instead of disdain and mockery. We recognize that discipleship is contingent, first and foremost, on loving others as Jesus loves us.
- Truth. We strive to create content that is accurate, honest, and in alignment with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ. We feel not only a desire but also a responsibility to share accurate information about our religion while also challenging misinformation in kind and productive ways. We believe in seeking knowledge and guidance through a range of epistemological tools, including academic scholarship and also divine revelation (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:118, Matthew 16:17).
- Unity. We seek conversations that foster mutual understanding and edification. Where disagreement arises, we aim to disagree well without seeking to compromise the dignity of those we disagree with. When we perceive we’ve been mistreated by others, we strive to respond with patience and with an attitude of reconciliation (see Matthew 18:15). This applies to interactions with nonmembers, former members, and our fellow members of the Church. We stand for the ethical treatment of all of God’s children and recognize that our wrestle is not against flesh and blood, “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. …”
- Boldness. We strive to create content that lives up to the advice found in Alma 38:11-12, “See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength. Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love. …” We do not believe that peacemaking and boldly standing up for what we believe to be right are mutually exclusive ideals. We strive to embody both.
- Faithfulness. We believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. We strive to create content that reflects faith in, and faithfulness to, Jesus Christ. We strive to follow His example and keep His commandments because we love Him (see John 14:15). We also believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s restored church in these latter days. We believe in the foundational truth claims of the Church. Our highest priority is to seek after and follow Jesus Christ, and we believe that the Church of Jesus Christ helps us to accomplish that.
This is not a list of attributes we pretend to have already mastered but rather a view of what we each aspire to work towards and become. We do not expect perfection of ourselves in this endeavor, but we do pledge sincere, repeated, and concerted effort until we might be made perfect in Christ. We are not official representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ, but we have covenanted at baptism to take upon ourselves the name of Christ. Thus, we will strive to humbly and confidently share the good news of the gospel far and wide, waiting for that fateful day when we hope to hear our Savior say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
If you are a Latter-day Saint content creator and wish to add your name to this document, please visit this link.
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Bridger Coburn Jennifer Roach Michael Bendall
Nathaniel Givens Ryan Sorensen Shima Baughman
Mimi Bascom Becky Squire Christian McOmber
Kurt Francom Jeffrey Thayne Sara Phelps
Kyle Smith Michael Peterson Lynnette Sheppard
Kempe Nicoll Ashly Stone Rachel Rhien Tucker
Carol Rice Daniel Smith Ashley Getz
Pam Peebles Jasmin Rappleye Rachel Cushing
Kai Elkins Brian Arnett Skyler Sorensen
Guy Johnson * Fred Zundel Jennie Moss
Ari Coleman Jeff Roundy Shannon Jones
Jacob Ryder Greg Matsen Beth Martineau
Evan D. Wirig Sonrisa Hasselbach Lydia J. Wadsworth
Beth Martineau Greg Matsen Kamden Hainsworth
Jeff Roundy Jennie Moss Fred Zundel
Jessica Spackman Derek Crimin Matthew Sailors
Elissa Nysetvold Daniel Sorensen Priscilla Davis
Dawn Anderson Jenny Panemeno Rachel Snider
Shelbi Stanfill Todd Bruce Megan Dahl
Nate Russell Mandy Davis Austin Smoot
Kjersti Christensen Jacob Roundy Jacob Crapo
Benjamin Pacini Christie Hurst Amanda Anderson
Amber Pearce Tyler Mercer Kaari Lines
Tyler Mercer Abby Watson Madison C. Packer
Samuel Serrano Linsie Draper Joey Vogl
Bryan Dorman Eliza Sewell Richard Durrant
Sean & M’Shelle Dixon Kyle Jacobs Jackson Howell
Ryan Mercer Mike D. House Jeffrey Law
Dustin Moore Kary Ann Hoopes Marianne Pierce
Charles Neal Lauren Draney Shima B. Baughman
Ashli Carnicelli Sarah Cook Sonrisa Hasselbach
Jerald Simon Carrie Yost Dawn Anderson
Brandon Brooks Crystal Minnick Shannon Andrews
Elisabeth Child Mandy Davis Alysha Collier
Erin Guy Charles Stanford Melissa Draper
Leticia Dada Lynnette Sheppard Lita Merrill
Arianna Mortensen Rhonda Steed Javier P. Potzsch
