Rhonna Farrera, social media missionary and influencer, opened her Women's Conference discussion by highlighting the darker side of social media and how it affects us.
'Sometimes we feel like we're in a dangerous spot,' she said. 'Have you ever felt bound by social media?'
Farrer noted many people engage in bullying, negative postings and rude humor on social media. She compared social media to a dangerous fire but can be used in good ways, such as spreading the gospel.
'We know there's bad out there, but we can bury the bad with love. We can flood the earth with positive messages,' Farrer said.
Farrer offered several tips to 'reach beyond borders' and influence the world positively through social media, including relying on a circle of influence, finding ways to post positive messages and rallying believers behind the gospel.
Farrer said LDS women's voices matter on social media and encouraged positivity and sharing personal testimonies on social media.
Quoting Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, she encouraged women to use social media to share their faith and compared their influence — if unified — to a flood.
'What if we were coworkers with angels, and looked at technology as a tool to rally believers and go forth and build?' Farrer asked.
Rhona Farrer share ways to use social media positively to unify others and share the gospel. (Carley Porter)
Farrer discussed a twitter account called Book of Mormon 365, which posts a passage from the Book of Mormon on social media every day for a year. She identified this as a powerful tool for gathering people together under a common belief and said many other users would comment on the scripture posts with positive gospel messages, mentioning the positive messages overwhelmed any negative messages.
Farrer also encouraged attendees to avoid distractions on social media — like envying other peoples' lives — and instead become a powerful, united voice by utilizing social media to minister to within their circle of influence online.
'When we link arm in arm and look at ourselves as sisters in Zion, this is what the Lord wants,' Farrer said.
Following Farrer's address, professional speaker and writer Brooke Romney took to the podium to discuss ministering through social media.
Romney said that although ministering through social media can seem daunting or trivial, even the smallest influence matters.
'I'm not a scholar, a teacher, and I've never been a missionary, but the Lord has trusted me to spread his gospel,' Romney said.
Romney warned against coming across as aggressive or 'preachy' on social media and used real examples from her friends' personal accounts to demonstrate that simple, reflective messages can inspire others to turn to the gospel.
''Sharing a raindrop of goodness combined with everyone elses' will create a flood. Don't try to create that flood on your own through mass communication,'' Romney quoted from the LDS church's website.
Romney said social media ministry is more effective through simple messages and encouraged attendees to focus on 'finding the one.'
'We live in a world obsessed with numbers, but the only number that matters to our Savior is one,' Romney said.
Everyone has their own strengths and responsibilities to serve others, Romney said. She then encouraged attendees to find their strengths and remember that influencing one person positively can be more meaningful than attempting to reach out to a larger group.
'Stop scrolling, and make more deliberate decisions with your social media time,' Romney said. 'Will you help him reach the one?'