Episode 111: Missionary Work in the Digital Age (Scott L. Howell)

Y Religion

BYU Religious Education

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4.8 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 1 September 2024

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Description

Since the introduction of missionary work in 1830, Saints have used a variety of tools and practices to share the good news of the gospel and bring people unto Christ. Some of the most common methods have included standing on a collapsible soapbox, knocking on doors, using flannel and flip charts to illustrate lessons, sharing slideshows and videos, and utilizing a primary guide, like Preach My Gospel, to teach prepared discussions. The recent introduction of social media and the use of smartphones are two of the latest tools reserved for the youth of this generation as they engage in missionary service. President Harold B. Lee taught that “the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ are divine. Nobody changes the principles and [doctrine] of the Church except the Lord by revelation. But methods change as the inspired direction comes to those who preside at a given time.” In this episode Dr. Scott L. Howell, assistant teaching professor of Church history and doctrine, discusses the recent shifts in methodology for the gathering of Israel. He provides insight on how the youth might craft their digital dossiers prior to their service, details safeguards for using technology before, during, and after missionary service, and previews a number of phone apps and Church resources for engaging with the gospel online. In melding traditional and modern approaches, we can further the reach of this marvelous work and wonder.

Publications:

· “‘Knocking on People’s Computers’: Missionary Work in the Digital Age” (Religious Educator, 23.3, 2022)

· “Preparing Missionaries in the Digital Age” (Liahona, February 2023)

· “Same Purpose, New Approach: A Case Study of the North Dakota Bismarck Mission using Social Media during COVID-19” (BYU ScholarsArchive, Faculty Publications, 6153, 2022)

· “‘How Beautiful Are the Feet’: The Use of Footnotes in General Conference Reports” (Religious Educator, 24.2, 2023)

· “The Diachronic Usage of Exclamation Marks Across the Major Book of Mormon Editions” (Interpreter, 53, 2022)

Click here to learn more about Scott L. Howell

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, why religion friends. John Hilton here.
0:03.0	On a recent trip in Mexico, I found myself in an Uber with a driver who had a cross on his rearview mirror.
0:11.0	I asked him about the cross he was displaying and that led to a
0:14.5	gospel conversation. I didn't have a Book of Mormon in my backpack to share with him
0:19.2	but I did have the Book of Mormon app. If you're not familiar with this app, it's produced by the church and is a great resource.
0:27.0	I love the Gospel Library app for deep studying, but that's probably too much to share with somebody that you're just introducing
0:34.1	the church to.
0:35.7	The Book of Mormon simply has the text of the Book of Mormon in dozens of languages and
0:41.0	also audio versions, as well as the Book of Mormon videos. Best of all, it's really easy
0:46.8	to share this app with others. I made two taps on my phone and my new Uber friend was able
0:52.0	to download the Book of Mormon app in Spanish using the
0:55.4	QR code I showed him.
0:57.8	It's amazing how technology is opening up new avenues for sharing the gospel.
1:03.1	When I was a full-time missionary, I had a handful of VHS cassettes I would show to the investigators.
1:08.5	Do you remember that amazing movie, On the Way Home?
1:11.4	Wow, I still love that one. But in today's episode, our guest, Dr Scott Howell, describes how technology has completely altered, how we can both find and teach others.
1:23.0	For example, he describes a church app that I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't aware of.
1:28.0	Much of the church's media library is now transitioning to Gospel Stream, which is an app that the missionaries use a lot.
1:37.5	It's a visual world that we live in and the church has just populated the gospel stream with so many beautiful videos and graphics and
1:48.1	and they help our missionaries teach online and in person. They could easily, literally five minutes, put together a lesson
1:56.5	using a one or two minute video clip. The Now You Know series is especially well developed
2:02.0	for non-members, basic teachings of the church, beautiful graphics,
	...

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