Navigating Social Media with Kindness: Lessons from the Book of Mormon

"Who are you amidst the world's noise? Are you what another sees, another feels, or are you the dream within your heart whose light reveals warmth, love, and compassion?"

- Midegah

In the context of growing online hostility, particularly against tribal leaders who affirm the truth of the Book of Mormon and present other narratives from the same periods, it is crucial to focus on the teachings of leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). President Dallin H. Oaks, current leader of the LDS Church, offers guidance that is particularly relevant in addressing these challenges. He stated:

"Jesus Christ, Our Perfect Example: We need to love and do good to all. We need to avoid contention and be peacemakers in all our communications. This does not mean to compromise our principles and priorities, but to cease harshly attacking others for theirs. That is what our Perfect Role Model did in His ministry. That is the example He set for us, as He invited us to follow Him."

These words remind us of the example set by the Peacemaker, known as Yehoshua by his mother and Yahaawzhowa by tribal peoples—a name phonetically identical to the one later referred to as Jesus Christ by Europeans in the 17th century. The shift in pronunciation and meaning, coupled with centuries of colonial exploitation, can make it challenging to bridge the cultural gap between Indigenous peoples and those who have historically acted in the name of Jesus, in ways that are not the way he spoke or acted. While that contradiction is overlooked by the western european descendant, how can it be overlooked by those domestic to the land, who carry heaven granted promises, and their views on who the devils really are before them? This historical context underscores the need for greater respect towards cultures that had direct contact with the Peacemaker over those who misappropriated or obtained the history and messages in passing, and if given by Angelic visitation it was never to replace the remnant (the descendants of the brothers of Laman), but instead to assist them with their cousin Lamanites. There has been a 1500 year conflict internal to tribal spirituality that the Mormons are late to the show on and have yet to participate in finishing as they have been too drunk on our history and the wealth and prestige garnered from it.

It is important to recognize that the wealth displayed by some in the Americas, while simultaneously elevating the Book of Mormon, often overshadows the struggles of those now labeled as "tribal." These communities continue to face forced poverty, confined to reservations that are starkly lacking in resources and opportunities. True Christians, committed to the teachings of the Peacemaker, should prioritize supporting initiatives focused on the preservation and empowerment of these communities. However, there is often silence when help is sought, with some instead focusing on superficial displays of righteousness, which can come across as arrogant and unkind.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with its substantial financial resources, sometimes prioritizes the construction of grand temples—viewed by many tribal peoples as empty palaces—over initiatives that could directly benefit Indigenous communities. When temple practices are shared, or our people infiltrate to learn, they are found to resemble the traditional four-room lodge still used by the Midewiwin communities, including similar hand gestures, teaching order, albeit the LDS do these functions without the sacred items used in the tribal traditional ordinances, and with the LDS Creation Story having a heavy focus on the King James version of Genesis which differs greatly from the source Torah. This resemblance can make claims of fullness and restoration by LDS difficult for those whose traditions are being mirrored, watered down, or constantly changed for financial benefit, leading to feelings of frustration and misunderstanding, or that "European peoples stole traditions especially when authorized Midewiwin Priests try to communicate on what is held in common and are instead attacked.

It is a fact that the Midewiwin pre-date the Mormons.

It is easy for the tribal person to assume that in the 1830s as their ancestors were marched west that their culture and identity was stolen, not just their possessions.

Imagine the impact of investing in a language preservation center, a cultural preservation hub, or a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Consider the potential of establishing a family and generational trauma center, or a secure sacred records facility, where ancient knowledge can be protected and shared without fear of theft or exploitation. Such initiatives would honor the true spirit of the Book of Mormon by supporting the very peoples whose histories it chronicles, and whom your history completely sought to obliterate.

Yet most are not aware these options did present themselves by the LDS Church, without our request, and authorized officials reached out to us, willing to work with us, so long as the Tribal leaders associated with these initiatives only worked with that singular church. Imagine a nation and its political and spiritual leaders being told they can receive help only if they remove the voices of every other group in their communities? Yet little is discussed publicly on this.

Those who carry the Book of Mormon, while sometimes appearing to be adorned in arrogance, should remember that they are holding a photo album of history belonging to the remnant traditions of the first peoples of the Americas, not Europeans. This history predates the genocide by European ancestors, and while its brilliance is often proclaimed, the forced plight of their descendants—the First Born Peoples of the Americas—is frequently overlooked. The Peacemaker's teachings urge us to love and do good to all, avoid contention, and be peacemakers in all our communications. This message is not about compromising our principles but about fostering respect and understanding, even amidst differences. By following the example of the Peacemaker, as emphasized by President Oaks, we can counteract the negativity that has affected individuals and communities, particularly those expressing their cultural and historical connections to the Book of Mormon. In doing so, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate world that honors the richness of histories and cultures that define our shared humanity.

Misunderstandings in Culture

Tribal communities are diverse, with many traditions arising from multiple migrations, wars, and resulting displacements from the 6th to 20th centuries. In the 1820s, when a record was discovered in the northeast at the same time the United States began mass migrations of domestic peoples west of the Mississippi, it should not have been alarming. It called for those who found the record to seek out those in its records. While language translations posed challenges, just as an English speaker in Europe might struggle to find Germans and Germany without knowing they are Deutsch and Deutschlanders, understanding is possible. English speakers often forget their sounds are not always reality.

In 1844, when Joseph Smith died, over 80% of the LDS Church's members, nearly 40,000 people, lived in England and would immigrate to Utah over the next decade. This migration forced the image of the Book of Mormon and the Church into that of European kings, similar to previous European churches, creating another Catholic-like church on our lands with our history, without understanding it, the context, or our perspectives.

This makes the materialism repulsive and the focus on leaders in distant high castles confusing, as our leaders and those in the Book of Mormon would have chosen to give all for the poor and needy, and to live humbly.

The Power of Words

Words hold immense power. They can uplift and inspire, but they can also harm and destroy. The Book of Mormon teaches us the importance of speaking kindly and with integrity. In Alma 37:6, we learn that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." This reminds us that our words, though seemingly small, can have significant impacts. In the digital realm, a single comment or post can spread rapidly, affecting many lives. Therefore, it's crucial to exercise caution and thoughtfulness in our online communications, striving to emulate the Savior's example of compassion and understanding.

Social Media vs. Real Life

There often exists a disconnect between how people present themselves online and who they are in real life. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, as the anonymity of social media sometimes emboldens individuals to say things they wouldn't say face-to-face. It's crucial to remember that behind every screen is a real person with feelings and emotions. The Book of Mormon emphasizes the importance of authenticity and sincerity, urging us to align our online personas with our true selves. By doing so, we follow Christ's example of being true to our principles while respecting others.

Impact on Families and Children

The negativity that can pervade social media doesn't just affect individuals; it can also have a ripple effect on families. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to the psychological impacts of online negativity. Studies have shown that exposure to cyberbullying and negative comments can lead to anxiety, depression, and a decrease in self-esteem.

Consider the story of Chief Midegah's family. Over the past two years, growing attacks have been directed at tribal leaders like Midegah, who hold authorized traditional, cultural, language, and record-keeping positions. These leaders express that the Book of Mormon, while overly anglicized, is true and that more history from that period and beyond exists. Ironically, it is often members and podcasts of the LDS Church, who plead with the world to believe their faith is true, that then attack the very Indigenous people who claim it as their ancestry. These attacks may stem from fear or misunderstanding, questioning what it means if Indigenous peoples do not fully need saving.

It is important to remember that not all Indigenous peoples are descendants of Laman, or Lamanites. Many touting the book are not aware that Laman is a son of Lehi and there were other sons as well. In the Book of Mormon, Lehi gives blessings to his sons Jacob and Joseph, indicating that their descendants would be a remnant, meaning they would remain. This highlights the right of their descendants to speak on their family history and cultural heritage. If they remain and finally speak out, what message does it send when those benefiting from that history choose instead of helping to attack, slander, and shame without end?

Chief Midegah found himself ensnared in a distressing cycle of harassment that exemplifies the concept of reactive abuse. Despite his repeated pleas for the harassment to cease, he was met with silence from the leadership of the Church. This inaction stood in stark contrast to the Church's swift measures, such as excommunication, against individuals who were critical of the Church or its historical figures, like Joseph Smith, particularly on contentious issues such as polygamy. While the Church has been proactive in addressing internal dissent, there appears to be a glaring absence of dialogue with other faiths and, more critically, with tribal peoples like Midegah and his community. Chief Midegah has been instrumental in the organization of a Restoration leadership council that has Presidents of 3 restoration branches participating with senior Rabbis and denominational Christian faiths, and one thing is shared as a theme, the harshness of Latter-day Saints towards people.

This lack of engagement has left tribal leaders vulnerable to attacks, with their legitimate expressions of faith and heritage being met with hostility rather than understanding. The very same situation they faced until 1978 in the United States and 1999 in Canada when they were not even allowed to raise their own children. The situation underscores the need for more inclusive and respectful communication channels between the Church and diverse cultural communities, fostering an environment where differences are not only tolerated but valued.

But accountability also must be expressed, and the 60,000 children taken by the LDS Church during the boarding school period is a very hard thing for indigenous to overlook. Forgiveness requires repentance but it appears those who are "saints" never have to repent for anything as long as they have their paper signed as "worthy".

The attacks on Midegah were so egregious that his children had to be removed from social media. His oldest son, David, often comes home upset because of what other kids share about his dad on social media. This creates a negative memory related to the Church, not just with one family, but nearly all traditional tribal communities from the Maya, Salish, and Anishinaabe, who have been working together on this initiative. How will their descendants ever view the Church in a good light when so much harm has intentionally been done?

Despite Midegah not writing a single record, with the histories come from lodges around the Americas, he is still attacked simply for saying the Book of Mormon is true and other records support it. These communities know there are many histories, memories, and traditions in the Americas due to migrations, separations, and infiltrations of foreign beliefs. However, there are traditions that support memories of a great peacemaker from a 1200-year period of 700 BC to 500 AD, which is often lost amidst the turmoil from 800 AD to 2000 AD, another 1200-year period.

Lessons from the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is rich with teachings that promote kindness, empathy, and understanding. In Mosiah 4:30, we are counseled to "watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds." This encourages us to be mindful of our online interactions and to strive for positivity and compassion in our communications. By internalizing these teachings, we can become more conscious of our digital footprint and its impact on others, following the Savior's example of love and peace, becoming a peacemaker.

Practical Steps for Promoting Kindness Online

• Think Before You Post: Before sharing a comment or status update, consider its potential impact. Ask yourself if it aligns with the principles of kindness and empathy.

  
  

  • If you make a mistake, apologize, just as Chief Midegah did when his frustrations boiled over in the very first month of his proclamation that The Book of Mormon was true and only Saints attacked him and his children incessantly.

  • Grant forgiveness, even as you repent, allow others to grow beyond their mistakes.
    

• Be a Positive Influence: Use your social media platforms to spread positivity and support. Share uplifting messages and be a source of encouragement to others.
  

• Educate and Guide Children: Teach children about responsible social media use. Encourage them to be kind and thoughtful in their online interactions and to speak up if they encounter negativity.
  

• Reflect on Your Habits: Regularly evaluate your social media habits. Are there areas where you can improve? How can you better embody the teachings of kindness from the Book of Mormon or the teachings you have in your culture in your online presence?

  
  

Conclusion

In conclusion, aligning our social media behavior with the principles of kindness and integrity is essential for creating a supportive online community. By reflecting on our own habits and making conscious efforts to promote positivity, we can contribute to a more compassionate digital world. Let us take inspiration from the Book of Mormon and the example of Jesus Christ, striving to be examples of kindness and empathy, both online and offline. As we do so, we can help create a digital environment that uplifts and supports all who engage with it. By prioritizing kindness over conflict, understanding over judgment, and empathy over indifference, we can become agents of positive change in the digital landscape.