Over the last few days it's
become apparent that many people have the mistaken idea that I represent the
LDS Church, online, because I have been extended, by invitation, media
credentials to cover LDS General Conference from inside the press room at the
LDS General Conference Center during the live broadcasts. So, let me clarify
by saying as directly as I know how to say it:
I do not, in anyway,
represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in any official
capacity, nor have I ever stated that I do. The opinions and information which
I write about, or share, here on this blog emanate completely from my personal
views and desire to share various aspect and events of the Mormon faith, and
only from the perspective of a member of the LDS Church and nothing more. And
in no way do I claim to speak on behalf of the LDS Church or for other members of
the Church. I am solely responsible for what I post here on
this blog and what I say elsewhere and would never want anyone to think otherwise.
With that said, and perhaps
where some of the misunderstanding comes from, is that I consistently write in support
of direction and counsel given by LDS Church leaders and uphold the doctrine
of the Church, relentlessly, without opposition.
With that purpose at the
core of what I do, online, I am a loyal follower and distributor of a good
amount of content, which is posted on LDS.org, Mormon.org, the Mormon Newsroom,
etc. But in no way in doing these things does the LDS Church have anything to
do with it, other than my responding to a general call to every member of the Church to engage in the same activity; albeit, I am more obsessive than many.
However, I act 100% independent in doing so.
Coupled with that foundation, I
admittedly have a bold voice in opposing some of the opposition to what I
personally find contrary to the Church, and its leaders, advocated online associated with controversial social issues.
Some considers me a social
media "pioneer" among members of the LDS faith in the area of
sharing the gospel online. And although I would never have thought to describe
myself in those terms, initially, along with many other members who blazed the trail right alongside of me I now accept the designation, with enthusiasm, and
hope to continue encouraging others to get involved.
Today, I see this chapter of my life, as an interesting and exciting facet of my own personal
history, which is also part of the history of the LDS Church in launching its
social media presence online. Anyone who understands the concept of how social
media works know it's all about sharing from one person to the next, digitally. This
is something I was actively not only doing, independently, but also working hard to encourage others to do, too, at that time.
In looking back, it
shouldn't seem odd that when social media, in general, began to be recognized
as a powerful way to broadcast a message that the "Online News
Media" department of LDS Church Public Affairs would utilize the new
media. Who better to engage than a member who was already successfully using it? So, they reached out and extended the invitation to me to sit in the media
room during General Conference along side of other media outlets without
giving any direction as to what I should do or say, nor have they ever.
I want to publicly thank
LDS Church Public Affairs for extending the initial invitation and for allowing
me to continue to sit in the media room over the last few years. It has been a wonderful time
of my life and a tremendous personal blessing, which I shall always treasure. Each and
every conference has been a thrilling experience in witnessing, firsthand, the
work of salvation as it rolls forward.
However, after much prayer
and consideration not wanting to have any confusion with what I write here on
WBMW being misconstrued as representative of the official LDS Church and my great respect for the work of the Church online, I have
decided it is best to discontinue broadcasting General Conference from the LDS
Conference Center.
As with all pioneers, it's
time to move along and forge my way toward the next frontier. And besides, I
really miss General Conference weekends with my family, our traditional
cinnamon rolls, and tweeting in my PJs!
tDMg,
Kathryn Skaggs
Comments