(image: Deseret News)

Changing the world one tweet at a time! A little dramatic? Elder Bednar doesn't think so. I just watched his BYU devotional address and I'm excited. It's all about the way we can use social media to share 'the hope that is in [us]' (1 Peter 3:15). How something as simple as a social media post can help combat negative messages with edifying truth. The Church has already run some brilliant social media campaigns (i.e. #BecauseofHim) inspiring positive online conversations around the world. Here are some excerpts from Elder Bednar's address.

"Social media channels are global tools that can personally and positively impact large numbers of individuals and families. And I believe the time has come for us as disciples of Christ to use these inspired tools appropriately and more effectively to testify of God the Eternal Father, His plan of happiness for His children, and His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world; to proclaim the reality of the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days; and to accomplish the Lord’s work. 

Beginning at this place on this day, I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy—and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood."

So go on, share the goodness!

"Recognize that there is a power greater than ours, that no matter how good a man is, he is not good enough, that no matter how wise he is, he is not wise enough, that no matter how strong he is, he is not strong enough for all the things which he will face in life, and that there is a source of power to which he can go with the assurance that he will be listened to and that there will be a response."

- President Gordon B. Hinckley

After the longest three weeks of my life, I got my mission call. For Mormons, a mission call is the most important/highly anticipated letter you'll ever get. It's a letter from the prophet assigning you to serve in one of the 300+ missions worldwide for 18-24 months. I'd been waiting many months (years really) for this and there it was, sitting in my mailbox. I ran inside, impatient to open it. Luckily half my family were home to witness, although in hindsight I wish I had've waited for all of them to get home. But the suspense was killing me, so I opened it. Hands shaking, I pulled the contents out and started to read. My eyes went straight to the location; I couldn't help myself. I yelled something in disbelief then read out the first sentence for my family's benefit.

"Dear Sister King. You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the England Manchester mission."

!!! There was a lot of screaming, hugging, crying, phone calls, and Facebook statuses on my behalf after the announcement. I've been somewhere between shock and excitement ever since. But as excited as I am to serve in the country I've been dreaming of for as long as I can remember, the reality that I'm going to be a missionary is setting in and I have a lot of preparing to do. I report to the MTC on January 24th.

Some fun facts about my mission and the Manchester area in general:

My mission area is pretty much the whole north west coast and goes as far east as Manchester, from the Scottish border down to the middle of Wales.

Probably the biggest thing I'll have to adjust to in England is the insane cold. The average temperature in winter is 4°C and a 'warm summer's day' is around 18°C. I think I'm going to have to invest in some thermals if I'm going to survive walking the streets every day. I found it kind of funny that the first thing on the personal items to bring list was an umbrella. Typical England. At least I get to enjoy an Australian summer before plunging into the cold and wet.

Weather and culture aside, I'm really looking forward to being a missionary. It's the best decision I've made. I know that the hardest things are always worth doing and that as long as I have a testimony of the things I'll be teaching and a desire to serve and love others, Heavenly Father will make my weaknesses strengths. I've been listening to general conference in the car this week. I loved the talk by Elder Nelson about missionaries where he explains their purpose. It really reassured me that by going on a mission I'll be able to help people change their lives for the better and have the happiness and peace the gospel has brought to my life, and that's a much better way to spend my time than anything else I could be doing right now. Here's the talk:

I love Sundays. Best day of the week in my opinion. And why is that Dudley? Well, it's one whole day where I get to clear my head and ponder what I really value in life. Today I was studying my favourite book. I'm up to the part where Alma and his people are in bondage to the Lamanites. Despite being treated like slaves with absolutely no way of escaping, they trust that God will keep his promise to free them. Their patience reminded me that the Lord always answers our prayers, even if it takes longer than we expect. And while we wait he eases our burdens so that we can endure our challenges with faith and hope (Mosiah 24). I love it how the scriptures always tell me exactly what I need to hear. I so needed a reminder to be patient this week (and always really).


Anyhow if you can't be bothered with my ramblings watch this video. It's pretty great.

Like this guy, I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, written by ancient prophets to help us in our day. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. It supports doctrines and clarifies ambiguities in the Bible. It contains everything we need to find peace and true joy in this life, and eternal life with our families. I've come to know that it is true through answers to sincere prayers. I know it in my mind and heart and I cannot deny it. It contains absolute truths that help me to live a better life and have confidence in the future. Basically, if I could recommend one book in the world to anyone it would be this book. Life-changing.