Church to Launch “Because of Him” Easter Initiative
Contributed By By Ryan Morgenegg, Church News staff writer
The “Because of Him” video, released in 20 languages, has been viewed more than 2 million times since it was posted April 13.
Article Highlights
- Using the Internet and social media, the Church is inviting people to consider all that is possible in their lives because of Jesus Christ.
- The Church purchased the masthead space on YouTube’s homepage for Easter Sunday to promote a new video that depicts the importance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Members can help by finding, “liking,” and sharing the video and memes using the hashtag #becauseofhim.
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Beginning Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014, and running through Easter, April 20, the Church is launching an Easter initiative called “Because of Him,” focusing on the hope, healing, and salvation made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Elder David F. Evans, Executive Director of the Missionary Department, said, “As followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to do as He has instructed: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ The ‘Because of Him’ Easter initiative is part of an ongoing effort to follow the Savior’s admonition.”
Using the Internet and social media, the Church will extend an invitation for people to consider all that is possible in their lives because of Jesus Christ. The invitation will direct people to visit the web page mormon.org/becauseofhim. On this Easter web page, visitors can read the Easter story, learn more about the teachings of Jesus Christ, view the video “Because of Him,” or chat online with a full-time missionary.
The new video created for the Easter initiative depicts the importance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ compared with various historical events. Containing no speaking, the video uses text, music, and visuals to help viewers become believers. Brief scenes from the ministry of Jesus Christ are reminders of all that is made possible because of Him. Viewers of the video are invited to visit mormon.org/becauseofhim to learn more about Jesus Christ, His atoning sacrifice, and His Resurrection.
The Church has purchased the masthead space on YouTube’s homepage for Easter Sunday. “We anticipate being able to reach over 100 million people on YouTube alone Easter Sunday,” said Elder Evans. “When you think about how long it would take for missionaries to contact this many people, it becomes clear how important technology is in the work of our Heavenly Father. The Easter holiday is the ideal time for us to help people remember all that is possible because of Jesus Christ.
“One of the examples of the Lord hastening His work is the marvelous technology available to us to share His gospel. With the ‘Because of Him’ initiative, we will be promoting the video and web page on Internet sites and throughout social media. Viewers will be able to access parts of the initiative through promotional videos, Internet banner ads, social media memes, and YouTube.”
An example of one of the Easter initiative memes that can be shared to invite others to know more about Christ.
Latter-day Saints can get involved in the initiative in several ways. First, for those members using social media, look for daily postings on mormon.org/becauseofhim starting April 13.
Second, go to the mormon.org Facebook page and “like” the page. This will allow the initiative’s daily postings to appear in a person’s Facebook newsfeed. Each day, a new, sharable graphic will be posted focusing on something made possible “because of Him.” The same thing can be done for those using Google+ or Twitter.
Scene from the new Church Easter video, “Because of Him.”
The third way to get involved is by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others using the initiative’s various offerings. When making social media posts, include the hashtag #becauseofhim. While using social media, members may share personal thoughts and feelings about those things made possible using #becauseofhim.
On the mormon.org/becauseofhim web page, members are encouraged to read and share the written Easter story as well as the “Because of Him” video with friends and acquaintances.
The full initiative containing the video, web site, and social media components will be available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The video will be available in 17 additional languages.
Scene from the new Church Easter video, “Because of Him.”
An example of one of the Easter initiative memes that can be shared to invite others to know more about Christ.
