This is a great post/discussion about how we can use the excellent communications tool that the internet is to spread accurate information about the church.

It seems to me that some of the most widely influential content on the internet these days (especially when it comes to youth) are flash cartoons and video-games (this opinion is tainted, of course, by my personal love of this type of media). Unfortunately, much of the available flash content hardly upholds any moral standards or promotes anything remotely considered “good.”

My response has been to create a website that provides cartoons and games based on the Book of Mormon and LDS culture, but I pride myself on creating content that is not dry and preachy (like so many others who have attempted similar things), but rather has appeal even to the most savvy gamers and tech-heads. I’ve seen my site’s influence spread internationally and even had a few missionary experiences come of it. To use a buzz word, the effect has really been “viral.”

Often people don’t even realize they’re playing a “Mormon” video game, but the hope is that sometime down the road they’ll recall the name “Nephi” or “Moroni” as a foundation for the Spirit to work some miracles.

http://www.bomtoons.com

The Church does recognize the information on the Internet that is contrary to the Church and we are doing several things to improve the visibility of Church sites. There are also many good members who are helping to create positive Internet content about the Church. If you want to help, see http://www.moregoodfoundation.org. Although these efforts are already making a difference, we need more help.

Your mormonconverts.com is a great site. On your Basic Beliefs page (www.mormonconverts.com/mormon-beliefs.html), why not add a link to http://www.mormon.org for people who want to learn more?

Thanks for starting a blog. It allows us out here in electron-land to communicate with you directly.
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I’ve been frustrated…
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…over the past few years about the amount of anti-mormon internet sites and content that is clogging up much of the primary keyword search results relating to the church.

This does so much damage that I’m not even sure the church realizes. Once someone starts studying the church, one of the natural things to do is look up “morminism” on the internet.

In many cases (too many) they find an alarming amount of anti-mormon sites and literature. It poisins the conversion process for an investigator.

Just in my ward, about a month ago, there was a couple who had been baptized over a year earlier, went to the temple, held callings and the husband up and left the church.

Why?

Because he start studying anti-mormon sites.

We spend so much money, time and effort on our missionary efforts and its being undermined by our…

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…Lack of Pro-LDS Sites On the Internet!
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It bothered me so much that I started a site (MormonConverts.com).

But what is even more frustrating is that the church has the resources to completely dominate the search listings for LDS related keyword searches.

One solution would be to start a “ward blogger” calling in which that person would create simply, gospel related content and link to LDS “authority” sites and to each other.

I know that would open the doors for some abuse, but the alternative is allowing the anti-mormon sites to DOMINATE the search listings.

MoreGoodFoundation.org has some very telling statistics on this…it’s alarming to say the least.

In any case, thanks for starting this blog and allowing us out here to interact with you.

David Frey
MormonConverts.com

MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better.

THANK YOU for updating this site. It is a bajillion times better than the previous.

Larry Richman wrote a recent post on his blog entitled “Why use the Internet?“. I highly encourage you to read his post.
It brought back memories of my first exposure to the internet. I graduated in 1996. My senior year (1995) was the first…

I understand that you are the project manager for LDS.org and director of the Internet Coordination Group at the Church, and that this is your own personal “blog”–but it’s great to see a blog with ties so close to the Church. Any idea if the Church might start an officially sanctioned blog?

Do you ever monitor the so called “bloggernacle”? Thanks again for the great ideas on your blog. Looking forward to the upgraded Gospel Library links.