Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 The “I am a Mormon Campaign is coming to the South and other places. We had a combined Sunday School class for everyone 14 and older to explain the “Campaign”. It will interesting to see how this goes over in the Bible belt.Do you think such campaigns peek interest or anti-Mormon activity?How has it been received in area’s where you live…I have only seen it on the internet, but the Church is going to put them on TV in this area. Did anyone else attend a joint Sunday School meeting?http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-lds-church-media-campaign,0,2963153.storyComments or opinions?
LeSellers Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 The “I am a Mormon Campaign is coming to the South and other places. We had a combined Sunday School class for everyone 14 and older to explain the “Campaign”. It will interesting to see how this goes over in the Bible belt.Do you think such campaigns peek interest or anti-Mormon activity?Doubtless both.Brigham Young, on hearing that the bells of he11 rang whenever a new Temple was being built, said, "I want to hear them more and more."Lehi
sjdawg Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 I find it interesting that Sunday School time was dedicated to a PR Blitz
Senator Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 I find it interesting that Sunday School time was dedicated to a PR BlitzEh..hem..Missionary work, my friend. Missionayr work!
sjdawg Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 Eh..hem..Missionary work, my friend. Missionayr work!I guess so. I have never been able to figure out why the truth requires such a carefully cultured public image.
cdowis Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 (edited) I guess so. I have never been able to figure out why the truth requires such a carefully cultured public image.Going door to door is no longer "cool" or effective. It still comes down to person-to-person contact.It is "carefully crafted" because the church is going to spend alot of money, and you want it to be effective. We don't want to waste our tithing money on something that does not work.. The church has some of the best and most experienced people working on this. Edited September 26, 2011 by cdowis
Zakuska Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 Going door to door is no longer "cool" or effective. It still comes down to person-to-person contact.It is "carefully crafted" because the church is going to spend alot of money, and you want it to be effective. We don't want to waste our tithing money on something that does not work..On my Mission door-2-door was the least effective of any method of contact. Sadly it also made up most of the time spent during the day. So we tried to come up with better methods such as train station blitzs during peek hours. Street displays etc.
David T Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 (edited) I was present for one of the regional training meetings where a Salt Lake representative from the Missionary Department as well as the area 70 presented this to Stake Presidents, Bishops, and Ward Mission Leaders, and the High Council Missionary Reps in the Northern Georgia area.The purpose of the Combined Priesthood/Relief Society and/or SS meeting is to help members understand and be familiar with what many of their friends will be seeing on Television and on the Billboards, and to encourage members to prepare their own Mormon.org profiles. Also, letting them know the key purposes of the campaign, and make clear that it doesn't have anything to do with electing any currently running candidates Stats have shown that those not exposed to Mormons still feel we are all cultish, 'weird', arrogant, and bigoted. (Not to mention Polygamists). While certainly there are sadly some who fit those categories, the campaign is designed to show very clearly that this is not the 'norm', and that most members are otherwise quite normal members of society who work, have families (only one spouse!) and have fun "just like you do", and also have strong conviction of love for Jesus Christ. some videos show individuals who are struggling with difficulties like cancer, infertility, prioritizing, etc, others show their passions in life (a scientist, a school teacher, an off-road enthusiast).The age for online Mormon.org profiles was also just lowered to age 14 to allow youth to participate and share through Social Media - apparently stats show that 99% of LDS youth are asked by their friends about either the local campaigns and online I'm A Mormon videos.A key reason for the training is because in earlier test markets, there was no preparation on the local level, and the local members had no idea what was going on, and were somewhat caught off guard by the questions, and wondered what their friends had seen, etc.The principal of the campaign being, "Let our members speak for themselves". I think it's pretty cool, actually.The plan is to eventually (very soon, actually) end door-to-door tracting. Edited September 26, 2011 by nackhadlow 1
sjdawg Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 Going door to door is no longer "cool" or effective. It still comes down to person-to-person contact.Pretty sure it never was cool or effective. Even as a member I don't appreciate drop in visits by the missionaries. 2
Mansquatch Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 Going door to door is no longer "cool" or effective.It was fun though. Am I alone in liking it?
Zakuska Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 It was fun though. Am I alone in liking it?I always wanted to do the "book from heaven" approach but apartment buildings didn't make that possible.
sjdawg Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 The principal of the campaign being, "Let our members speak for themselves". I think it's pretty cool, actually.So can I assume the profiles aren't subject to any editing by the Church?
russianwolfe Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 Let's not forget that in most of the past century, our enemies had the public stage and were free to define us and our beliefs. Except for the most egregious statements about us, the Church mostly ignored what these accusers had to say. In the last part of the last century, the Church began to take the public stage to counter the claims of the opposition. And the opposition began to lose ground. In an attempt to retake control of the public stage, the opposition began to cry that we were redefining ourselves as Christians when in reality we were providing the true definition that was always true. The 'I am a Mormon' campaign is the next step to portray ourselves in a positive light to counter the almost 150 years of negativity that went on before.Marvin 2
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 I find it interesting that Sunday School time was dedicated to a PR BlitzI think maybe the reason for the 14 and up is combination of these age groups would be easier. That way the high school kids can answer questions concerning it? All I know is I got to be a student instead of a teacher as well as next week...double bonus.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 I guess so. I have never been able to figure out why the truth requires such a carefully cultured public image.You have not been around the net much then...or the grip that rumors have.
David T Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 So can I assume the profiles aren't subject to any editing by the Church?No. If something is unclear, they may ask for a clarification or rewording from the profile creators themselves, but nothing is ever actually removed or added by any Church employee/Missionary.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 The plan is to eventually (very soon, actually) end door-to-door tracting.Do they truly think that member referrals will keep the missionaries that busy?
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 So can I assume the profiles aren't subject to any editing by the Church?I would think they would just reject them instead.
Sky Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 My ward recently had a combined Sunday School meeting about the ‘I am a Mormon’ efforts. I have to say that I think it’s pretty exciting, and I can’t wait to set up my own profile! The push for this is pretty intense. Basically, the internet is the new public square, and there are conversations taking place all the time about the Church on the internet. It’s about taking part in those conversations and making our voices heard. We realize that not everybody will love us, but you also never know who you might be able to make a connection with. The three basic questions you are supposed to answer:1) About me…2) Why I am a Mormon…3) How I live my faith…You also have the option to answer additional questions if you choose to.
David T Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 Do they truly think that member referrals will keep the missionaries that busy?There are an increasing number of online missionaries,and many discussions and baptisms occurring as a result of those online communications. There is more than one way to 'get into the home'. the reality is that The internet,and friends/members, are far more effective today than knocking on doors with nametags and suits.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 There are an increasing number of online missionaries,and many discussions and baptisms occurring as a result of those online communications. There is more than one way to 'get into the home'. the reality is that The internet,and friends/members, are far more effective today than knocking on doors with nametags and suits.Except our missionary children become mighty men and women, and our future leaders…I don not see a keyboard replacing that. When I hear from my son, I hardly recognize the "man" he is becoming. Not to mention the skills they learn that help them interact with people which is a great help is business opportunities. I for one am grateful that we still have these young men and women as a visual representation of our faith.
David T Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 Except our missionary children become mighty men and women, and our future leaders…I don not see a keyboard replacing that. When I hear from my son, I hardly recognize the "man" he is becoming. Not to mention the skills they learn that help them interact with people which is a great help is business opportunities. I for one am grateful that we still have these young men and women as a visual representation of our faith.A keyboard can play a major part in the initial contact phase. I certainly think the plan is still to have Elders being full-time Teachers, in person, just with the full-time finding being more centered on the Bishops and the Wards, and individual members. Imagine if all the time spent knocking on doors was spent teaching, and contacting in more effective ways.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 A keyboard can play a major part in the initial contact phase. I certainly think the plan is still to have Elders being full-time Teachers, in person, just with the full-time finding being more centered on the Bishops and the Wards, and individual members. Imagine if all the time spent knocking on doors was spent teaching, and contacting in more effective ways.Just as long as they get to see the change in a person's life and the role they help play.
Saints Alive Posted September 26, 2011 Posted September 26, 2011 I centianly hope the US never turns into Nazi Germany, not only will they have the churches rolls, they'll have a webpage with your mug on it.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 (edited) I centianly hope the US never turns into Nazi Germany, not only will they have the churches rolls, they'll have a webpage with your mug on it.You should read about "Goodwin's Law". Also who are you talking too? Did I miss something? Edited September 26, 2011 by Bill “Papa” Lee
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