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The Virtual Missionary: The Power of Your Digital Testimony
Thanks to modern technology, our ability to share, influence, and serve online has multiplied exponentially. This inspiring and informational book will teach you exactly how to maximize platforms like Youtube, blogging, and social media sites to increase your online missionary work. Join the movement, spread the gospel message, and build up the kingdom-all without leaving your home!
181 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2017
13 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 4, 2018
I've long thought about this concept of a virtual missionary, so when I found this book I was anxious to read it.
As someone that struggles with verbal communication, missionary work in the traditional sense is a bit intimidating. I would much rather sit down and be able to compose my thoughts and feelings through writing. I'm sure I'm not alone in facing the obstacles that keep us from using the internet as the powerful missionary tool that it can be. From not knowing the mechanics of starting a blog to being intimidated by the prospect of attacks from those that appose the personal feelings you share. Not wanting to be preachy and not knowing if I really had anything of value to share have stopped me many times.
All of these questions and concerns were addressed in this quick read. The author does such a fantastic job of teaching why sharing your testimony online is so needed in today's world. I felt very inspired to face the challenges and try in my small way to add light to the world. Maybe what you have to say won't change a thousand lives but by putting your testimony, gained through experience out there you will give light to someone who may desperately need it.
I truly felt very excited to get started and really caught the vision of why and how to be a better member missionary through the power of the internet.
As someone that struggles with verbal communication, missionary work in the traditional sense is a bit intimidating. I would much rather sit down and be able to compose my thoughts and feelings through writing. I'm sure I'm not alone in facing the obstacles that keep us from using the internet as the powerful missionary tool that it can be. From not knowing the mechanics of starting a blog to being intimidated by the prospect of attacks from those that appose the personal feelings you share. Not wanting to be preachy and not knowing if I really had anything of value to share have stopped me many times.
All of these questions and concerns were addressed in this quick read. The author does such a fantastic job of teaching why sharing your testimony online is so needed in today's world. I felt very inspired to face the challenges and try in my small way to add light to the world. Maybe what you have to say won't change a thousand lives but by putting your testimony, gained through experience out there you will give light to someone who may desperately need it.
I truly felt very excited to get started and really caught the vision of why and how to be a better member missionary through the power of the internet.
January 8, 2018
Great book about sharing what you believe in online! I've been an online influencer for about 10 years and many times this book resonated with me and opened my eyes. Not only does Greg Trimble motivate you to use the internet as a gospel tool in sharing beliefs, but he gets a little technical and shows you how to start, and what to do to be an effective online missionary. So many great quotes and ideas -- I rarely read a book twice, but I'm definitely going to use this as a resource and reminder to do good and share goodness online. I think this would be a great book for the Young Men and Young Women to read as well.
October 16, 2017
In his book, The Virtual Missionary: The Power of Your Digital Testimony, Greg Trimble discusses the directive to "sweep the earth with a flood" and the use of the internet in proclaiming the Gospel
'to all the earth."
He makes some good points for why it is important to use the internet as a missionary tool and how we can go about doing just that. He does include some technical elements for how to set up a blog or website, what makes articles go viral, etc., but mostly he just encourages you to share your testimony online to the best of your ability.
'to all the earth."
He makes some good points for why it is important to use the internet as a missionary tool and how we can go about doing just that. He does include some technical elements for how to set up a blog or website, what makes articles go viral, etc., but mostly he just encourages you to share your testimony online to the best of your ability.
November 2, 2018
I started this book with no real expectations. I figured it would give me some ideas on how to use social media to share the gospel. Well in the day it took me to listen to it I came away wanting to start a blog and even write a book. I will have to check out Greg Trimble's blog for sure.
May 4, 2018
In The Virtual Missionary: The Power of Your Digital Testimony, Trimble talks about how he started his blog and grew its online presence, and gives encouragement and directions for creating your own blog to share your testimony with the world. He speaks from the experience of not only creating his own personal blog, but also his professional experience in the online world as the creator of a digital marketing company.
He starts off by explaining that the Church has encouraged us to share the gospel online. “In July of 2008, Elder Ballard asked members of the Church to ‘join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration.’ …Elder Perry followed up a few years later requesting us to join with him, ‘In this exciting new work by becoming Facebook friends with the missionaries in your area on your own computers and sharing their gospel messages online.’ And most recently, Elder Bednar asked us very clearly to sweep the earth with messages of goodness using various social media outlets” (pages 19-20).
He then addresses the problem of “Internet transparency:”
He talks about the problem of investigators turning to the Internet after the missionaries leave, to find out more about the church, and having antagonistic information come up in the first results, which makes them no longer interested in having the missionaries return. He explains how to help combat that problem by writing a blog post to address the very things that people search for, such as “Is the Book of Mormon true?” “Is the Book of Mormon false?” “Was Joseph Smith a true prophet?” “What is the purpose of temples?” etc. He tells how to use keywords in the title and meta information for the post, to help when Google indexes it, so it will come up higher in the results.
There are chapters about overcoming your fear of sharing, not waiting until something is perfect before posting (or else it may never be posted), adopting a conversational writing style, and how to format your blog posts so that it will be read by both people and Google. He talks about how much easier it is to share things where people will see them than to approach them individually to talk about the gospel, and that what you say may plant seeds that you never know about.
One chapter talks about “Staying Positive with the Critics.” “It will be tempting to respond to critics, to call people names, to be sarcastic, or to demean and belittle because of a comment here and a biting remark there. …If you stay positive, others will take notice and be drawn to the things that you’re writing. If you become negative, then people will be turned off to your message” (pages 120-121). It warns that “If you are willing to begin creating content that is favorable to the Church and you are defending the truth online, there is a good chance people will begin creating content to discredit you as well. It is something that you’ll need to be ready for if you’d like to become a virtual missionary for Zion” (pages 122-123).
Other chapters cover practical things like how to set up a blog and how to create an online strategy for your stake. The book ends with warnings to remain humble and not to expect to get rich from blogging, followed by one last chapter encouraging online missionary work. There are also appendixes with available tools and a list of ideas for topics to write about. Finally, there is a “bonus chapter” about writing a book and getting it published.
He starts off by explaining that the Church has encouraged us to share the gospel online. “In July of 2008, Elder Ballard asked members of the Church to ‘join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration.’ …Elder Perry followed up a few years later requesting us to join with him, ‘In this exciting new work by becoming Facebook friends with the missionaries in your area on your own computers and sharing their gospel messages online.’ And most recently, Elder Bednar asked us very clearly to sweep the earth with messages of goodness using various social media outlets” (pages 19-20).
He then addresses the problem of “Internet transparency:”
Because of the transparency of the Internet, each of us have been forced to dig deeper into our testimonies. Many of us have been blindsided by some of the historical aspects of the Church that have come forth, and it can be hard to swallow new ideas that contradict the things we’ve been taught for so long. In no way does it mean the Church is being dishonest with the information that it has, just because new things have come forth. For me personally, I love the transparency that the Internet provides. It helps us get to the bottom of things that have remained a mystery for years. But just hearing cursory descriptions of new information shouldn’t cause us to make rash decisions against the Church. We should look at it as an opportunity to learn more about topics that have been obscure in the past.
He talks about the problem of investigators turning to the Internet after the missionaries leave, to find out more about the church, and having antagonistic information come up in the first results, which makes them no longer interested in having the missionaries return. He explains how to help combat that problem by writing a blog post to address the very things that people search for, such as “Is the Book of Mormon true?” “Is the Book of Mormon false?” “Was Joseph Smith a true prophet?” “What is the purpose of temples?” etc. He tells how to use keywords in the title and meta information for the post, to help when Google indexes it, so it will come up higher in the results.
There are chapters about overcoming your fear of sharing, not waiting until something is perfect before posting (or else it may never be posted), adopting a conversational writing style, and how to format your blog posts so that it will be read by both people and Google. He talks about how much easier it is to share things where people will see them than to approach them individually to talk about the gospel, and that what you say may plant seeds that you never know about.
One chapter talks about “Staying Positive with the Critics.” “It will be tempting to respond to critics, to call people names, to be sarcastic, or to demean and belittle because of a comment here and a biting remark there. …If you stay positive, others will take notice and be drawn to the things that you’re writing. If you become negative, then people will be turned off to your message” (pages 120-121). It warns that “If you are willing to begin creating content that is favorable to the Church and you are defending the truth online, there is a good chance people will begin creating content to discredit you as well. It is something that you’ll need to be ready for if you’d like to become a virtual missionary for Zion” (pages 122-123).
Other chapters cover practical things like how to set up a blog and how to create an online strategy for your stake. The book ends with warnings to remain humble and not to expect to get rich from blogging, followed by one last chapter encouraging online missionary work. There are also appendixes with available tools and a list of ideas for topics to write about. Finally, there is a “bonus chapter” about writing a book and getting it published.
September 17, 2019
A convincing read and follows a clear direction our church is heading. As President Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches us to more like missionaries.
As a Ward Mission Leader I found great insight in sharing the Lords technology made simple. Written in a way that you will understand; easy as 1. 2. 3. Allowing for his easy formula to be duplicated.
Greg gives specific insights as to the why-how’s into spreading our gospel virtually and online. A clear worth read to all who want to partake in the power of your own social testimony.
~ Dennis Schleicher
As a Ward Mission Leader I found great insight in sharing the Lords technology made simple. Written in a way that you will understand; easy as 1. 2. 3. Allowing for his easy formula to be duplicated.
Greg gives specific insights as to the why-how’s into spreading our gospel virtually and online. A clear worth read to all who want to partake in the power of your own social testimony.
~ Dennis Schleicher
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews