The Church and Globalization

In 1833, in Kirtland, Ohio, the following prophecy was received: “And then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations, the house of Joseph, of the gospel of their salvation. For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fullness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ” (D&C 90:10–11; emphasis added). The interesting thing about this prophecy is that when the Prophet Joseph Smith received it, to that point in time and for thousands of years prior, a good rider on a fast horse was the ticket for communication at a distance (Christensen, 2008). Following the Restoration of the gospel, an outpouring of innovation and invention took place that has connected the world in ways never before seen. As we read in the text, technology has transformed and progressed the development of globalization. Globalization has been a means in which the Church has prospered into an international religion. Globalization benefits the Church’s widespread development, the well-being of members and nonmembers, and the light in which others perceive the Church.

Globalization is, as defined by our guest speaker, the process by which a web of global connections between states and individuals becomes both increasingly intensive and extensive, or as Hawkins simply stated, the process by which the world becomes a single market (demand and supply).  Globalization has enabled millions more opportunities to learn of the gospel and be benefited by it.  The Church sends out 53,000 missionaries to over 350 missions in 162 nations (Wasden, 2004). Transportation has enabled missionaries, apostles, and prophets to travel to any country in the world to teach the people, dedicate temples, aid education and work opportunities, establish religion programs (institute and seminary), and direct the progress of the Church. Humanitarian aid has been offered in places, like Haiti, and in ways that were not previously possible in a less-globalized world due to the increase of communication and access to those areas.  “President Spencer W. Kimball mentioned that in his opinion, the scientists who developed jet aircraft were inspired by the Spirit in order to enable the leaders of the Church to travel rapidly from one place to another around the world to supervise the Church and its progress. He added that ‘of course, we let other people ride them (Christensen, 2008).’” As a result of globalization, the Church has changed countless lives in immeasurable ways.

Missionaries and other prominent leaders traveling are not the only sources for proclaiming the gospel worldwide; in fact, the Internet has caught the attention of more eyes and more hearts than personal meetings with missionaries.  Due to globalization, the Church has made itself known worldwide through websites like lds.org or Mormon.org and other broadcasts. General Conference is all-inclusive every six months and publicized through various sources in order to reach a larger audience. Social networking has taken the Church into a whole new light.  Many famous bloggers, such as Nienie Dialogues, or “I am a Mormon” Ads are created by members of the Church for various and often inspiring reasons.  These blogs, videos, and other works on social networks are viewed daily by millions of people worldwide. Technology and globalization have transformed the Church into a flourishing international religion.

The Church tries to maximize on every opportunity to share the gospel.  Globalization has opened up doors that have never existed due to the increase in the world’s interconnectedness. Globalization has enabled the Church to reach ears and hearts in more places and at more frequency than has ever been permitted. The prophet and apostles have repeatedly encouraged members to take advantage of the ways in which the gospel can be shared with others. Globalization interlinks the world by providing many ways to interrelate and communicate: online, radio, television, phone, satellite communication, jet-propelled aircrafts, etc. Globalization has facilitated ways and methods for “every man” to hear the fullness of the gospel.

Sources

Joe J. Christensen, “The Globalization of the Church Educational System,” in Global Mormonism in the 21st Century, ed. Reid L. Neilson (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2008), 183–201.

Samuels, David J.  “Comparative Politics”.  Pearson Education, 2012.  p. 346 

Wasden, K. L. (2004, October 05). Lds mission network. Retrieved from http://www.mission.net/