Tweeting LDS General Conference, every six months, has now become an established, favorite online tradition of many faithful Latter-day Saints, who have come to love social media because of its power to share the gospel online.
I've come to really look forward to tweeting General Conference, and gathering, online, with so many great members who enjoy it as much as I do. I love it because of the great spirit that attends, what many may find surprising, digital missionary work. But trust me, it's real and for many of us who regularly participate, countless experiences leading to more extended gospel conversations are often the result.
Tweeting General Conference on Twitter is not for every member. Some prefer to follow the tweets via the hashtag #LDSConf and when inspired retweet a favorite message. Either way, it is a thrill to see the words of living prophets take center stage, on Twitter, and know that many outside of the Mormon faith are being touched by their inspired messages.
During one General Conference members on Twitter got a huge thrill when Dieter F. Uchtdorf sent a shout-out during his talk:
"With so many social media resources and a multitude of more or less useful gadgets at our disposal, sharing the good news of the gospel is easier and the effects more far-reaching than ever before. In fact, I am almost afraid that some listening have already sent text messages like “He’s been speaking for 10 minutes and still no aviation analogy!” My dear young friends, perhaps the Lord’s encouragement to “open [your] mouths” might today include “use your hands” to blog and text message the gospel to all the world! But please remember, all at the right time and at the right place.
Brothers and sisters, with the blessings of modern technology, we can express gratitude and joy about God’s great plan for His children in a way that can be heard not only around our workplace but around the world. Sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone’s life for eternity."
For LDS members, who gather to tweet General Conference, this is exactly what we are doing. We are focused and understand our purpose. It is more than a social activity. Each of us have a testimony of using technology to build the kingdom, and in a sense, it is a personal offering to do so.
As a brief reminder of how to tweet LDS General Conference, most effectively, I am reposting some tips that I created previously:
Tips for Tweeting #LDSConf
1. For those following the hash tag #LDSConf let's try to keep the stream loaded with quality content specific to the conference.
2. Avoid excessive idle chatter using the #LDSConf hash tag.
3. If you must chat, drop the #LDSConf hash tag. That way, for those who decide to check out what #LDSConf is all about, they will find an amazing stream of inspired content that makes sense!
4. DO use the hash tag #TwitterStake to chat with other Mormons on Twitter!
5. Tweet #LDSConf with a purpose -- to share the gospel with those outside of our faith.
6. If you tweet over 120 characters it makes retweeting difficult.
7. Resist urge to tweet every six seconds... ; )
8. Share personal feelings about #LDSConf alongside tweeting the conference message.
9. Consider sharing LDS resources throughout the conference, i.e. LDS.org, Mormon.org, Mormon Messages, etc...
10. Have fun!
To learn more about what Mormons do on Twitter, why, and how -- you can read some of my previous posts:
I've been asked a number of times WHY I tweet General Conference on Twitter? Many concerns have been raised, -- one being that you can't get as much out of conference if you are focused on reading other tweets and deciding what you want to tweet. This can be true, if you look at it that way... but I don't.
I believe it was during the Sunday afternoon session of conference that our dear Prophet and President of the LDS Church's name, Thomas Monson, was trending on Twitter! Such wonderful exposure to the eternal truth, that God speaks to His children, today! I hope you'll excuse me for not recalling exactly when this happened, but I was busily engaged throughout the entire weekend, while I tweeted as best I was able, with nine rambunctious grandchildren, and their parents! It was a glorious weekend!
LIKE, SHARE and JOIN US!
tDMg
Kathryn Skaggs a.k.a. @LDSNana on Twitter
General Information about how to watch April 2015 General Conference
"General conference is a semiannual gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During general conference weekend, Church members and others who are interested gather worldwide in a series of two-hour sessions to receive inspiration and instruction from Church leaders."
I've been tweeting conference for a couple of years now and I love it. But I might just add one to your list: Don't let tweeting get in the way of the spirit. This is something that I have tried to find a balance too and I think might be encompassed in what President Uchtdorf was saying in his talk about the right time.
ReplyDeleteThere are many talks that are fairly easy to tweet, but there are some where I know for a fact that I need to put down the computer and pick up my journal (Elder Holland frequently makes me do this). I find that on certain talks, if I am worried about what I can fit into 140 characters, I'm going to miss some big stuff for my personal growth.
That being said, I still plan on tweeting again this year, but it's easy to get swept away. So I'm going to work at finding balance. Again.
-Christian
(@luconius)
Excellent point, Christian. I felt that same feeling last conference when Elder Bednar was speaking. I often feel that it is good to, instead of tweeting exact quotes, tweet what the Spirit teaches you personally. Most important, seek the Spirit.
DeleteSee you there @luconius : )
Once upon a time, I was a prolific tweeter during conference. It brought focus and purpose to my attending #ldsconf. My tweets became my notes - and I drew from them often for Facebook status posts in the weeks that followed! But, last #ldsconf, Twitter started putting me in Twitter jail for posting too much - too many, too often. I learned my lesson and I'm anxious to rejoin the #twitterstake next week!
ReplyDeleteI now refer to #ldsconf as my semi-annual "spiritual retweet". It is my opportunity - our opportunity - to help the prophets, seers and revelators tell the world how much the Lord loves every mortal soul. It is an honor and a privilege that I do not take lightly and Kathryn has provided great guidance here to nurture that missionary spirit of conference.
I'm @heartensoul4u
Tweet y'all next weekend!
Thank you for emphasizing the importance of tip number 7:
Delete7. Resist urge to tweet every six seconds... ; )
I have, as yet, not been in Twitter jail. But since so many have, I am extra cautious not to allow this to happen.
For those who have no clue what we are talking about, this is when Twitter, for a short period, suspends your ability to send out Tweets. It can be very frustrating for those in 'time-out". So, take this tip to heart and don't over Tweet.
See you there @heartensoul4u
I am excited to join in the tweeting of General Conference!
ReplyDeleteTwitter Jail sounds funny... ha ha.
@mysouldelights
See you there, Becca. And please, stay out of jail! Those who have been locked up were extremely bummed about it. ; )
DeleteThanks, I used your tips to make a handout for my YW. I can send you the png file, if you would like. Just let me know. I posted it on Sugardoodle's fb page if you just want to view it there.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Betsy! Can you give me the link over to Sugardoodle?
DeleteI just put it on her Facebook wall. I put the files on my extremely rudimentary webpage here is the link http://saintmoon.com/twitterstake%20link.htm
DeleteJust darling! I'll have to share it. :)
DeleteFor recommendation #6, I'd ask that people please use the native RT button rather than appending RT to the front of a tweet. I don't have time to read the same tweet a dozen times when I'm looking through the #ldsconf stream.
ReplyDeleteAdding RT to a tweet is best reserved for adding insight to someone else's tweet. Twitter recognizes and rewards people for Native Retweets, so using the RT button does a better job of saying, "Me too!", making good tweets visible.
Thanks SpeckUp, we will keep that in mind.
DeleteJust a good reminder for keeping #ldsconf easily readable with fewer duplicate posts, so I can spend more time focused on Conference, rather than tweeting.
Delete