PROVO, Utah – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints built up suspense this week when they said to expect a major announcement, and on Sunday church leaders spoke about changes to their missionary program.
Members of the LDS church gathered at meetinghouses across the world Sunday at 4 p.m. for a broadcast, and church leaders said the Internet will now play a major role in the way members of their church share their faith.
Elder L. Tom Perry is a member of the LDS church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and he said, “The church is finding new ways to bring forward their missionary work in this digital age.”
Perry said most people connect primarily online, and he said the church’s missionary efforts will adapt to reflect that. He said that in the coming months they will be phasing-in access to the Internet for active missionaries. In the past, missionaries were largely prohibited from getting online.
Church leaders have encouraged members to use resources like Facebook.com and Mormon.org to help share their belief’s with others.
Perry also announced that church meetinghouses will now be open for tours for non-members interested in the LDS church.
