Blog 10 Andy Sais

            Globalization has been defined as “…the spread of political, economic, and cultural dynamics among governments, groups, and individuals beyond the borders of any one particular country (4).”  Globalization has become more of a reality in this day and age as more countries and societies are becoming interconnected. As BYU students and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have to ask ourselves how globalization is affecting the church itself. Joseph Smith in his Standard of Truth declaration said, “…the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done. (3)” In other words, because globalization has caused the world to become more interconnected it has been a means to fulfilling the prophecy given my Joseph Smith. As we understand what globalization is, what the General Authorities say about it and its consequences we understand that it is not only beneficial to the church but it’s a means to the fulfillment of prophecy.

            We can see that from early on, the Lord had the world in mind when He restored His church through the prophet Joseph Smith. Prophets headed the call almost immediately by sending missionaries overseas. The work began in faraway areas such as Asia, the South Pacific, and Europe. However, the work was somewhat inefficient by today’s standards do to the lack of technology and the length of time it took to travel. Missionaries also didn’t have a lot of initial success in some of these areas such as Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle-East. These setbacks however haven’t deterred the church from striving to establish the church worldwide.

            Political Globalization is an aspect of globalization that is important for the church. The church as an international non-governmental organization has been able to benefit from boarders opening and advances in communication. Since the fall of the Soviet Union and as the world has become more advanced technologically, the church has been able to send missionaries, offer humanitarian aid, and establish the church in places that would have been otherwise impossible. The church’s efforts to become a global church reflects its desire to build bridges with all people and cultures. President Uchtdorf counseled church members to be bridge builders by creating positive interactions with all nations, societies and religions of the world (2).  

Globalization has also been defined as the “amount” of transnational connections (4). Exponential advances in technology, especially over the past 40 years, have led to further these connections. Jet engine planes have made international travel cheaper, and faster. Satellite communication has made it possible and efficient to share information across the world, and the internet has made it possible for anyone to communicate at any time and in many places. President Kimball urged members to utilize new media advances as tools for sharing the gospel (3). The church now has started “youtube” video campaign, published many websites, and urges members to utilize blogging and social networking to communicate with the world to share the gospel.

In October, 2008 Elder Ballard said in his conference address, “The little Church that started in 1830 with just a handful of members has now grown to more than 13 million Latter-day Saints in many different nations around the world, and we are well on our way to penetrating every continent, visiting every clime, sweeping every country, and sounding in every ear. (3)” It is apparent that globalization is a means to establishing the church over the whole continent. As nations open their boarders to others and as technology improves communication and travel we will witness the gospel penetrating every continent. 

Sources:

1)      “The Global Church Blessed by the Voice of Prophets”. Dieter F. Uchtdorf. October, 2002  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/10/the-global-church-blessed-by-the-voice-of-the-prophets?lang=eng

2)      “Global Church Benefits All People and Nations”. Dieter F. Uchtdorf. May, 2011 http://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/global-church-benefits-all-people-and-nations?lang=eng

3)      “The Truth of God Shall Go Forth”. M Russell Ballard. October 2008 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-truth-of-god-shall-go-forth?lang=eng

4)      “Comparative Politics”. Dr. J Samuels. Pearson. 2013