If you're new here, read more about the More Good Foundation. We help members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon church) share their beliefs on the Internet. Learn more about what Mormons believe or talk with Mormons at LDS.net.

I have been with the More Good Foundation for a few weeks, and I am thrilled to participate in this work. I am becoming ever more convinced that the Foundation’s ideas about getting positive LDS information out on the Web, as well as its approaches to most effectively have that information found, will truly bear much fruit so far as increasing the world’s understanding and even acceptance of the Lord’s true Church.

My first contact with the Foundation occurred when I responded to an e-mail from BYU that invited students/alumni to apply for an internship. I did so and was soon asked to come in for an interview, whereupon I met Allen Wyatt and Giuseppe Martinengo for the first time. I had prepared for the interview by visiting the Foundation’s Web site, and Allen and Giuseppe were able to build on my newfound knowledge by telling me a little about, for instance, the fact that in their work they strive to make information more accessible to non-members by using terms like “Mormon” instead of “Latter-day Saint.” It’s true–the average Joe will have no idea that we tend to call ourselves “LDS.” He will go on Google and search under “Mormon,” and, currently, that won’t return the best sites about us. Joe will read a little of what is returned in such a search, feel that his curiosity has been satisfied, and chalk up the Mormon Church as one more religion he definitely doesn’t want to get involved in.

The More Good Foundation hopes to level the playing field by meeting people on their own terms. If they want to call us “Mormons,” then that’s what we are. If Google produces more search results under “Mormons” than “LDS,” so be it. We are no less members of the true Church, and we can use the Foundation’s Internet research to our advantage, writing “Mormon” articles that are (*gasp!*) positive and truthful.

I have been busy with, among other things, writing articles about Mormon beliefs and practices that I feel will greatly benefit anyone who comes across them. It’s surprising how easy it is to sit down and write a paper on a basic topic like honesty, charity, or baptism. To show volunteers some examples of the kind of material the More Good Foundation is looking for, I want to invite anyone who has interest to take a look at the site www.olympicmormons.org. Nearly every article posted there has been written from scratch. Pay special attention to the Basic Mormon Beliefs articles, and keep in mind that I wrote most of them simply from personal knowledge and experience, not even referring to another person’s article to give me ideas on the layout or key points to include. Three of the articles I managed to write in one four-hour sitting, and I don’t even have a degree in English!

I say all this just to drive home the point that practically any member of the Church could volunteer a bit of time and lay down some basic knowledge and beliefs that could be shared with the hungry world via the Internet. Please write something, adding to our goal to see “more good” on the Web.

To reiterate a call by Giuseppe in a previous newsletter, try to do a paper that totals around 800-1000 words (that’s only a page and a half). Possible topics include, but are not limited to: faith, repentance, atonement, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, priesthood, scriptures, prayer, temple work, forgiveness, Word of Wisdom, sacrifice, the Sabbath day, fasting, service, law of chastity, eternal marriage, and tithing. Have fun!

Comment by Giuseppe: As Chad explained so well, it’s very easy to be part of this great work. Another thing you may consider is to send us short stories or personal experiences that illustrate some gospel principle. I would be particularly interested in missionary experiences (when you were a missionary or when you met the missionaries) but you may want to write about other experiences… So, go ahead; don’t be afraid; discover the excitement of writing and be published right away…

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