Elder Brent H. Nielson on the expansion of missionary work in a digital age
Church News
Church News
4.9 • 782 Ratings
🗓️ 22 March 2022
⏱️ 47 minutes
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Summary
In recent years, smartphones, tablets and social media have allowed missionaries and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to reach “unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (D&C 58:64). Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ spans “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” (Alma 37:4) This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy. Beginning in 2014, Elder Nielson was assigned to assist with the Church's missionary efforts, serving as the executive director of the Missionary Department from 2015 to 2020. Elder Nielson recalls the miracles he has observed as the Church began to transition from traditional missionary efforts to using technology to reach millions more people. Also featured in this podcast is Scott Taylor of the Church News staff, the former president of the Arizona Phoenix mission, who implemented some of these early changes in that mission.
The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | As the director of the missionary department, when the virus hit, was thinking, whoa, how are we going to do this? |
| 0:14.8 | But this generation was prepared for such a time as this. They're already experts on these devices. |
| 0:21.1 | And we had done the homework in the past to figure out how can we share the gospel using |
| 0:25.7 | these devices. |
| 0:27.2 | And we had had the prophetic and apostolic direction from the 12 and the first presidency. |
| 0:33.7 | And we were ready. |
| 0:35.1 | I mean, it's amazing. |
| 0:36.9 | I often say that prophets and apostles can see around corners. |
| 0:41.7 | And if you check the statistics of the church, |
| 0:44.5 | you will see that in the year 2020, |
| 0:47.2 | our missionaries with almost the entire world locked down. |
| 0:50.5 | They baptized 125,000 people. |
| 0:53.6 | And it was a miracle to watch. |
| 1:03.2 | I'm Sarah Jane Weaver, editor of the church news. |
| 1:06.2 | Welcome to the church news podcast. |
| 1:08.3 | We are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of the Church |
| 1:12.7 | of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |
| 1:19.5 | In recent years, smartphones, tablets, and social media have allowed missionaries and members |
| 1:24.4 | of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to reach, as recorded |
| 1:28.1 | in Doctrine and Covenants 5864, the uttermost parts of the earth. Even in the midst |
| 1:34.5 | of a global pandemic, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ spans every nation, kindred, tongue, |
| 1:40.1 | and people. This episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Brent H. Nilsson of the Presidency |
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