Using Technology to Spread God's Message

Don't like this news one bit.

Mormon missionaries will soon spend less time knocking on doors and more time chatting online with potential converts. Church apostles said the change reflects the growing importance of social media and people's preference to connect over sites such as Facebook rather than opening their homes to strangers.

Under the new rules, missionaries must get permission from their mission president before sending emails to converts or people of the opposite gender. They are still required to send emails from public computers where a fellow missionary can see the screen.

Martinich says giving 18- and 19-year-olds more access to the Internet on missions is a delicate balance, and could lead some to waste time surfing the web or on Facebook. But, he said it's simply unrealistic to do mission work in today's world without embracing technology.