With a few thousand dollars and a group of volunteers we’ve grown to over 60,000 fans on Facebook and have learned a lot.

First, social networking can influence young people

We’ve learned that viewing porn is generally accepted among many Facebook visitors. Typically when Voices For Virtue has posted about an issue related to “viewing porn” we’ll receive several comments declaring something like “I love porn.”  Below is a screen shot of Logan’s initial comment “I LOVE PORN” to our post   “Like” this if you don’t let porn or immorality control your life.

You notice only three comments later Logan made a second comment saying, “But honestly how does porn control ones life?”

As a result, he received dozens of answers to his question-not from his bishop, school teacher, or parent-but his peers from around the world. For example Julie answered: “logan its one of the worst addictions known to man or woman it will destroy anyone who views it. It’s also a known scientific fact that it damages your brain just like a drug. it destroys marriages and families and lives. if you think it doesn’t affect you then you are sadly mistaken…”

In building the Voices for Virtue core group of fans we recruited many LDS young people some have turned out to be return missionaries. They know the doctrine and appear to teach it well.

Second, youth get information from the internet.

Natalie from Burley High School in Idaho asks how does she repent? Now I’m not sure why Natalie didn’t ask her parents, her seminary teacher -and why she came to Facebook. But that’s where she (and thousands of other youth) come to Facebook and now to ”Voices For Virtue.”

In addition to links to a New Era article and Lesson 22 in the Young Woman’s Instructional manual dozens of responses came.  Parrish wrote, “Hi Natalie. The steps for repentance simply stated are to desire to sincerely repent, pray to Heavenly Father for forgiveness and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost will guide you in what additional steps you may need..…” Parrish goes on for a couple of more paragraphs.

Voices for Virtue received 1,130,142 Post Views from 9/16/2011 to 10/15/2011! That means over 1 million times people (Fans and non-Fans) have viewed a News Feed story posted by Voices For Virtue.  That’s not bad for one year …

In fact we are now planning our “Invest In Virtue” banquet on February 23 , 2011 at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

We’ve truly been blessed.

dr rick
Upward Reach volunteer / a voice for virtue

“Never be afraid to try something new.  Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.”  ~Author Unknown

Facebook has proven to be a very powerful force in influencing youth. Think of it…. through Facebook there is direct unfiltered access to youth-no parents, no organizations- one talks directly to the youth. The audience is enormous having over 1 million under the age of 30 who “like” LDS. The cost of marketing is minimal-pennies per fan. And a more recent but wonderful discovery is there are thousands of great LDS youth ready to strengthen other youth — All we had to do was provide them with the framework. 

No wonder Satan has chosen social networking to deliver his message.

On our Voices For Virtue Facebook page I’ve been amazed frankly at the difficult questions being asked and the quality answers being given. For example we posted:

Jaimie one of our fam posted, “… What happens to those who commit suicide? … I have had a friend commit suicide. Will they forever be condemned?… What do you think???”

Here is just a couple of responses from our over 60,000 fans:

Deaunna: Only Jesus Christ knows the state of mind of those who commit suicide. He paid the price for our sins- if we don’t use His atonementing sacrifice then we have to suffer and pay for our own sins (hell) After that price has been paid we will be assigned to a kingdom of glory- this scripture describes each kingdom. 1 Cor 15:40-42 talks about the resurrection of the dead. John 14:2 talks about the ‘in my Father’s house are many mansions’ I hope this helps. PM me if you want to talk some more. Don’t worry about your friend. He has a loving Heavenly Father!

Victoria: Although it is wrong to take one’s own life, a person who commits suicide may not be responsible for his or her acts. Only God can judge such a matter. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said: “Obviously, we do not know the full circumstances surrounding every suicide. Only the Lord knows all the details, and he it is who will judge our actions here on earth. ”When he does judge us, I feel he will take all things into consideration: our genetic and chemical makeup, our mental state, our intellectual capacity, the teachings we have received, the traditions of our fathers, our health, and so forth“ (”Suicide: Some Things We Know, and Some We Do Not,“ Ensign, Oct. 1987, 8). http://lds.org/study/topics/suicide?lang=eng&query=suicide

Over 100 comments-as a psychologist I reviewed each comment most of which appeared to be supportive and healthy counsel.

Now let’s try this one. We posted:

Rachel, one of our fam, posted, “I am fifteen years old. Why can’t I date? I don’t see the big deal.”

On Voices for Virtue Facebook page Rachel talks back and forth with Marc and Laura a couple of other LDS Teens, about the importance of waiting until she is 16 to date.   They tell Rachel about a couple of books: A whole chapter on the pitfalls of youth in the “Miracle of Forgiveness” and  a section on not dating until you’re 16 from  “Why? Powerful Answers and Practical Reasons for Living LDS Standards?”  Twenty-two comments later Rachel leaves the Facebook conversation seeming more content to wait to date and saying “Thank you for the book suggestions I am going to look them up!”

Now you tell me what is more powerful than a couple of youth “mentoring” another youth in a principle of a gospel on Facebook? Where else in Rachel’s life could she have had this “private” uplifting experience? To see more responses to Rachel’s see our recent newsletter:  Gospel according to Facebook

As a psychologist, I’m impressed with the Gospel and Psychology according to Facebook. There is real power here. 

I encourage each of us “if you have the influence”-whether that be share Voices for Virtue with your friends, make a financial donation, or whatever – “use it to help!”

dr rick
Upward Reach Volunteer

“It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good, and unpopular that which is unsound. ‘Tis right, … for a man who has influence to use it. From henceforth I will maintain all the influence I can get“  (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:286; as quoted in “Our Divine Constitution” )

Unless I saw it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it!

We allocated $1,000 to pilot “Voices For Virtue” message to LDS teens ages 13-17 on Facebook. We wanted to see if “teens” would be interested in “virtue” and “saying no to porn.”(See the add to the left.) Well, we found out.

About 10% of the total “Voices For Virtue” community NOW are 17 and younger… and it’s still growing as I write.

What’s this miracle all about?

While we are powerless to alter the Second Coming of Savior, we can influence the preparation of young people by strengthening virtue.  As the “banner of virtue” is raised, like Captain Moroni raising the “title of Liberty,”  Young people come running with their armor girded about their loins (See: Alma 46:21) to virtue.

Upward Reach Board Meeting

As you recall “Think Twice” is promoting “standards”-From the LDS  “For The Strength Of Youth Pamphlet” but not in a religious/LDS way. “Think Twice” is for ALL teens seeking to be better.

“Think Twice” message is “Be Better – it’s cool, popular and fun and everyone is doing it.”  (What a great message!)

On the other hand, “Voices For Virtue” is very clearly sponsored by and directed towards LDS youth now ages 13-30.

Cade (age 17) and Darin presented the “Think Twice” project to Upward Reach Board. The Board approved it! We’re ready to go. Above is a picture of Cade (Think Twice), Darin (Think Twice), Ardeth Kapp (Upward Reach) and Amberly (Voices For Virtue) at the meeting.

The next step…

Well that $1,000 was the last of our spending money. Elder Craven and I are back visiting  trying to raise more money … If you know anyone that would like to help us grow let us know.

If you’d like to help, donate below!

dr rick
a voice for virtue

“For every mountain there is a miracle.”  Robert H. Schuller

For over eight months Libi from Michigan, Bekah from Arizona, and Seanna and Cade from Utah-all teens- have been meeting once a week with myself and other Upward Reach staff.

During this time we’ve explored many options as we’ve consulted with experts in the field. Our successful experience with Voices For Virtue has also helped tremendously.

Building the “Think Twice” campaign has occurred with no interference of our “Voices For Virtue” campaign.  “Voices For Virtue” is a flagship campaign  and has focused on 18-30 year old Latter-day Saints.  The “Voices For Virtue” Facebook page has over 59,000 fans. It’s mission statement reads:

Young Adults strengthening ourelves in virtuous living by connecting through social networking in order to: 1) Raise awareness of the effects of pornography. 2) Connect to resources for change. 3) Build character. And 4) Strengthen participation in LDS young adult activities.

The mission is accomplished in part by teaching LDS doctrine and principles through the various delivery system.

On the other hand, the “Think Twice” campaign focuses on 13-17 year olds who are LDS as well as other religious affiliations. Simply stated “Think Twice” provides a place for cool teens to connect and find empowering resources to “BE The Influence.”

Think Twice is a social networking group of teens that empowers ourselves to harness the awesomeness within ourselves to be leaders, trend-setters, and positive influence. “BE The Influence.”

The content for “Think Twice” will be based on the “For The Strength Of Youth” Pamphlet published by the LDS Church and include such topics as:  1)      Media and Entertainment, 2) Music and Dancing,  3) Dating and Sexual Purity, 4) Dress and Appearance, and 5) Language.

Although “Think Twice” messaging focuses on popular, successful, cool teens keeping standards it does not focus on teaching specific LDS doctrine (like Voices for Virtue.) Simply stated “Think Twice” is for all teens seeking to do better and be successful. See “Think Twice” Facebook page  and also check out the Facebook Info page for more details.

The Upward Reach Executive Committee has approved the “Think Twice” campaign and has recommended it to be reviewed by the entire Upward Reach Board this week for additional feedback and recommendations.

dr rick
Upward Reach Volunteer

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James

Those members of the handcart companies died in many ways. For example, they died while
… pulling the handcart,
… eating a crust of bread,
… digging a grave for another,
and
… while praying.

On our 2011 trek to “Zion” our LDS youth are also dying in many ways. Here are some examples,
… 16 year-old Sally – while getting an abortion.
… 21 year-old Tom, a return missionary, while being sentenced 15 years-to-life in prison for rape.
… 18 year-old Mark staying home from Church, while feeling too evil and guilty because of his porn problem-he’s tried everything to quit!
… 23 year-old Emily, mother of a newborn, married in the temple-while telling the Bishop “I just don’t believe the gospel anymore.”
… 14 year-old Seth, while he takes his dad’s handgun and shoots himself. Leaving the note behind sharing distress about his homosexual feelings.

These stories, and more like them, unfortunately are happening in our LDS homes. These “last days” are everything the Lord promised.

Are you a member of the rescue party?

I have seen for myself the power of social networking in influencing youth. It’s clear that on a small scale Upward Reach is assisting in “rescuing” youth from spiritual hunger and lost direction. We are doing this by providing:

A morsel of - a “cell text” bringing a brief uplifting message.
A swallow of – a “Facebook post” showing someone cares.
A crumb of – a “Blog” demonstrating there is another youth going through the same thing.
A piece of dried meat from an angel - a “V-email” teaching much needed doctrine.

Upward Reach provides bites of spiritual nourishment to over 53,000 youth.

As Upward Reach “broadens our vision and lengthens our stride“ we must strengthen our rescue team and financial resources.

If you have any interest or ideas please let us know.

dr rick
An Upward Reach Volunteer

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.”  ~Dr. Seuss

Voices For Virtue now has over 50,000 Facebook Fans and about 300,000 post views!

Our fans include:

62% females and 37% male.
63% are 34 years old or younger. (Facebook uses 34 as the cutoff age)

Countries

We have seven countries with more than 100 fans including U.S., Philippines, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico. After the U.S. the Philippines has the most fans with over 3,000.  Other countries with fewer than 100 fans include: Germany, South Africa,  Saudi Arabia, Japan, Puerto Rico, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Austria, South Korea,  and Argentina. This is quite impressive because we’ve ONLY marketed to young adults in the United States.

Cities

The top 10 cities from which Voices For Virtue fans come –starting from the largest fan base include: Salt Lake City followed by Makati (Philippines), Phoenix, Dallas, Boise, Orem, Los Angeles, Provo,  Denver and Seattle.

Posts

One of the more popular Voices For Virtue post was made June 9 at 6:50 pm. We simply posted, “What made you laugh today?” This post received over 27,000 impressions in the Facebook world. (Impressions are similar to “views.”)

On June 6 at 3:26pm at the request of LDS.org/Youth we posted the new Mormon Message video “Chastity: What Are the Limits?” This post received 17,388 impressions. (These numbers certainly tells a little about the interest of our audience.)

V-emails

We are sendng out about 800 emails each Friday morning to about 9 countries- U.S., Canada, Germany, Philippines, Australia, United Kingdom, Mexico, Jordan, and Brazil. Twenty-to-thirty percent of our V-emails are opened which is about the average for e-mails 

An Effective Delivery System

Upward Reach’s campaign “Voices for Virtue” has evolved into a tremendous DELIVERY SYSTEM. We are now connecting LDS Young Adults with a variety of resources from ourselves-Upward Reach, Fight The New Drug and LDS.org/Youth.

In a recent Upward Reach executive committee meeting Elder Craven, Bob Echard, Gene Atkinson and myself agreed for now it would appear best to focus on building the social networking communities and connecting youth with uplifting content.

Fundraising

No doubt the social networking world could benefit from “a little light of Christ.” 

Our growth has been limited only by our FAITH to raise money to share our message.

dr. rick / a voice for virtue

Upward Reach Volunteer

“Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”   3 Nephi 12:16

Our fundraising efforts have paused, given Quinn Gardner’s increased health concerns.

Ashley and Deborah, two of our great volunteers, have left “Voices for Virtue” moving on to their next adventure.

“Change” from time to time among our Upward Reach volunteers is expected. Upward Reach relies on volunteers in part because of limited financial resources. When we have money we want to grow the “Voices For Virtue” community, develop a telephone app, and a related web site,

All Volunteer Army

One blessing received as an “All Volunteer Army” is the dependency we develop on a power greater than ourselves.

“We alone” cannot carry this “Banner of Virtue” through social networking.

Gideon defeated a Midianite army of 120,000 with only 300 soldiers. His army carried torches, empty clay jars, and blew trumpets. “Voices for Virtue” and it’s dozen volunteers, fight the battle with weekly emails, regular cell texts, and Facebook posts. You have to admit these are “very strange weapons” to fight such a powerful evil force.

We like Gideon and his army, must depend completely on the Lord IF we are to succeed.

Who knows, maybe the LORD is saying to “Voices for Virtue” like He did to Gideon, “You have too many men (volunteers and resources) for me to deliver Midian into their hands…” (Judges 7:1-2)

Whatever the Lord has planned for Upward Reach, I have complete confidence our social networking communities will continue to grow. I take strength from the example of Gideon. Gideon and his army faced the overwhelming strength of forces superior in equipment and in number. We have all the prove we need to believe- we are approaching 45,000 Voices For Virtue Facebook fans!

The outcome of Gideon’s mighty battle is recorded in one short sentence:

“And they stood every man (and woman) in their place …” (Judges 7:21)

Gideon won the victory. Voices For Virtue shall also win as we continue to pray, have faith, and work hard.

“Today, we are encamped against the greatest array of sin, vice, and evil ever assembled before our eyes. Such formidable enemies may cause lesser hearts to shrink or shun the fight. But the battle plan whereby we fight to save the souls of [young women and] men is not our own. It was provided … by the inspiration and revelation of the Lord. … I pray that each of us will stand in his or her appointed place, that the battle for the souls of [young women and] men will indeed be won” (Thomas S. Monson, “Correlation Brings Blessings,” Relief Society Magazine, Apr. 1967, pp. 246–47).

Perhaps in reading this e-mail you will be impressed with how you might contribute to our successful battle.

dr. rick / a voice for virtue
Upward Reach Volunteer

“The true measure of a person is not how they behave in moments of comfort and convenience but how they stand at times of controversy and challenges.” Martin Luther King Jr

How are we going to achieve our objective- of helping young people help themselves “Come Unto Christ?”

Through charismatic personalities? Through worldly technologies of social networking? Through dozens of volunteers? Through a positive attitude? Through raising large sums of money?

NO-these strategies alone will not be enough to accomplish our objective.  

We are involved in a project that all the money in the world couldn’t buy—We will achieve our goal based on one principle… through our faith in Jesus Christ. We are on a journey that needs more than just a positive attitude, technology, volunteers etc.  We need a miracle.

The “Lectures on Faith” (Lectures on Faith 1:24) teaches us faith does have power, dominion, and authority over all things. It is the very power by which God himself operates. I believe ”faith” will be the very power by which Upward Reach’s campaigns Voices for Virtue and Think Twice will succeed.

Faith truly is the moving cause of all action. And “a grain of mustard seed” (Matthew 17: 20) should be sufficient for our task… that’s all - one grain of FAITH!

It is a disappointment, however, to find many others who are not willing to trust the Lord—or to trust in his promise when he says, “Prove me and see.” I often wonder why men cannot trust their Lord. He has promised his children every blessing contingent upon their faithfulness, but fickle man places his trust in “the arm of flesh” and sets about to make his own way unaided by him who could do so much. (Faith: Faith Precedes the Miracle, Spencer W. Kimball pg. 3)

If you have to choose… keep your money and pray and develop a deep faith in our cause.

This way we are guaranteed success.

dr rick / a voice for virtue
Upward Reach Volunteer

“Miracles are the fruits of faith. . . . Where faith is there will be some of the fruits: ALL GIFTS AND POWER which were sent from heaven, were poured out on the heads of those who had faith.” (Joseph Smith; History of the Church 5:355.)

Communities That Care is based on the Social Development Strategy formulated by J. David Hawkins and Richard Catalano at the University of Washington.  Rather than a program, Communities that Care is an “operating system” that provides the structure, but not the content, of a community effort to address youth issues.  The model suggests essential characteristics of a successful community provides youth with opportunities for meaningful participation, ways to learn and develop selected skills, and recognition. As a result youth will attach and feel committed to the given community. See: Communities That Care

Skills For Action provides the content for youth to learn to communicate effectively, analyze and solve problems, set and achieve goals, work successfully as part of a team, and resolve conflict peacefully. Youth also learn skills to resist negative peer pressure, make healthy choices, and understand and appreciate diversity.  Skills For Action is provided by The Lions Club International.  See: Lions Quest Skills For Action

Strength-Based Approach is a social work practice theory, it’s a philosophy that emphasizes youth’s self determination and strengths. The approach focuses on the identification, creation, and reinforcement of strengths and resources within youth-directing youth toward “What to do” rather than focusing on problematic behaviors and “What not to do.”  See: Building Adolescents’ Assets and Strengths

In summary, Voices For Virtue social networking community uses the community structure of “Communities That Care”, the content/curriculum from “Skills For Action”, and the philosophy of the “Strength-Based Approach” to increase positive prosocial development and decrease problematic behaviors. A diagram of the Voices For Virtue^tm model is illustrated below.

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The strongest forces for change are within the youth themselves!

Voices For Virtue believes the strongest forces for change occur when a youth learns skills, competencies and doctrine while connecting with the Spirit.

I’d appreciate any feedback you might have concerning this Voices For Virtue community model.

dr rick / a voice for virtue

An Upward Reach Volunteer

For HIS power is in them…. Alma 8:31

From time-to-time I am reminded of our enemy. One such time was this week when we received a post from “Satan” concerning our blog “Are all sexual thoughts a sin?”

That’s correct, “Satan” sent “Voices For Virtue” a message. He was brief and to the point. He declared his purpose was to tempt God’s children to misuse their God-given power of procreation. He acknowledged he has been very successful. He signed his message - “That is all. Satan.”

Unfortunately, Satan’s war against “virtue” did not end with him being kicked out from heaven. As John noted, Satan and his followers were “cast out into the earth” and have come here with “great wrath.” The evidence of their wrath against “virtue” can be seen every day as we watch TV, go to work,  and talk to friends and family. 

Help, Please I need some help!   

We received another correspondence this week illustrating the tremendous power of “Satan.” It reads:

Dear Voices for Virtue,
I’m 14-year-old young woman by the way and a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints member. I’ve been a member since January 2011. Before I became a member, I had been a porn addict. Of course because of my addiction, impure and dirty thoughts come across my mind especially the images that I saw on the PC. When I found out watching porn is a sin and masturbation as well, I stopped doing these things before my baptism. At first, I wasn’t so tempted to watch anymore and the desires were very easy to control. But as time passed by, even when I sleep, sometimes I dream of the images that i saw before. This happened several nights and I knew satan was tempting me to go back to my bad behavior. I need to make my repentance true and I don’t want to go back to my deeds before. But the desires and enticements from satan are becoming more and more intense. Even when I read the scriptures or even pray, bad sexual thoughts would try to distract me! I try not to think of them but they just disturb me in a sudden. Prayer and reading the scriptures really help but is there something more I could do? Thanks! I’m looking forward to your response.

Voices For Virtue prepared the document “How do I strengthen virtue and overcome pornography?” based on some work of our Board Member Gene Atkinson. We sent this young lady a copy of the document. This document is located on our Facebook page uner the icon “FAQ“.

Perhaps we’ll recieve another response from “Satan?”

Response from LDS Church Foundation

And one final message we’ve received. This one from the LDS Church Foundation. They have agreed to give us $15,000 when we raise $50,000 .

Our future is as bright as our faith

We now have over 40,000 fans, a message of hope, a powerful delivery system, volunteers, an excellent business plan, enough faith to open the windows of heaven … and oh yea at this moment in eternity no money!

Pray for us.

dr rick / a voice for virtue
An Upward Reach Volunteer

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” Paul Coelho -The Alchemist.