On August 4, 2010, John Pontius said “Hello, World!” — his first “UnBlog My Soul” post. At that time, John had been told he had only six months to live. So, via the UnBlog, John recorded his powerful witness of Christ and of the gospel he loved. Even though he initially intended it only for his family and closest friends, the UnBlog grew in visibility and respect — much of it because John was a humble writer with a unique gift for teaching, preaching, expounding and exhorting all to literally and figuratively come unto Christ.
In the 1,489 days between then and now, the UnBlog has been blessed with 507 posts, 4,637 comments and 922,458 page views. It is subscribed by good people in almost every country on the planet. Statistics show that at any time during the day, someone is researching or reading something found on the UnBlog. As John used to say, “The sun never sets on the UnBlog.”
Yet today, the UnBlog is undergoing a new and exciting phase.
And it involves you.
FROZEN
Effective today, the UnBlog has been frozen to future posts and comments. All content (pages, posts and comments) currently published on the UnBlog will remain online, but will not be added to from now on. Although I’ll never say “never”, I will say that it is not anticipated, nor intended, that the UnBlog will publish any more posts (there may be occasional announcements about John’s books, but these will not be content-based posts which allow comments).
The reason for this is simple: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Now is the UnBlog’s time to step back. It’s as plain and simple as that; no other motive than that.
THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY
It’s also time for another blog to step forward. A blog which — as Elder Bednar stated at an August, 2014 BYU Campus Education Week — sweeps “the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy.”
That blog…is yours!
That’s right — if you are already blogging about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, fantastic! If not, then I join with Elder Bednar in inviting you to no longer light a candle and put it under a bushel (Matthew 5:15), but to “arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (D&C 115:5). Please give this some serious, prayerful consideration.
You may be tempted to feel like you can’t do your own blog. Maybe you’re not a writer, you don’t have time, or you don’t know anything about blogging. I can relate; I didn’t feel I could, either.
Technically, there are ample Youtube videos to show you how to start and maintain your own free WordPress or Blogger blog.
Spiritually, you have an apostle of the Lord promising you profound blessings by sharing your voice online (especially read the last two paragraphs of Elder Bednar’s talk). And with the strength of the Son of God giving light and lift to your words, over time, He will help your online testimonies soar to heights that will astound you and inspire others. Of this I can testify.
The Lord will also bring experiences to your recollection which will provide you with content ideas. Simultaneously, He will often lead people to your blog, where they will read your posts, contact you and exclaim, “You have no idea how much I really needed your post today!” It may take some time, but never despair — it will happen.
He’ll also bring resources and people into your life, as He did mine, to help you easily clear any technical and content-related hurdle. The obstacles Satan will erect in your way are but illusions on your God-ordained path.
The content which John and I, and everyone who’s posted or commented on the UnBlog, will also be here to help you, too.
THE UNBLOG — A TERRIFIC CONTENT SOURCE FOR YOUR BLOG
The UnBlog features a rich reservoir of resources to help you with your non-commercial blog, social media posts, FHE/church talks or lessons, etc. Here are four ways you can incorporate the resources found here into your online content:
Search UnBlogMySoul By Topic
At the top right of every UnBlog page, just underneath the banner, is a search box with “Search UnBlogMySoul” above it. Just type the word or phrase you’re researching in the box, then click the “Search” button, and up will pop up every UnBlog post that contains that word or phrase.
Review the Archives of UnBlog Posts
Under that Search box (on the right-hand side of every UnBlog page) is an “Archives” section. Here, just click the pull-down menu and select the desired month and year. The UnBlog will then display every post from that month and year, in reverse chronological order (newest at the top, oldest at the bottom).
Books, Downloads & More
When you hover over the menu tab “Books, Downloads & More”, you’ll see sub-tabs for all of John’s books, free downloadable essays and audio recordings, and links to some meaningful videos which address Zion and some of the principles regarding it.
Links to Other Terrific Blogs
Over the years, I have had the blessing of becoming familiar with other blogs which have an approach and content similar to the UnBlog’s. I enthusiastically recommend you visit the blogs listed in the “Recommended Blogs” section at the top right of all UnBlog pages.
A NOTE FROM JOHN AND TERRI
There are no mortal words or emotions to describe the profound gratitude we have for everyone who contacted us, commented on posts, attended the UnBlog Family Reunion, purchased books and CDs and attended firesides. These were all done with one and only one objective in mind: to help bring you closer to the Savior.
Yet John’s and my highest degree of appreciation goes to our family and — as our extended family — those who actively administered the UnBlog since John’s passing. I have no doubt that your sacrifice and time, talents and energies will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams by He who delights in exceeding our expectations.
Finally, to our UnBlog family, I have a personal request: Please finish what “UnBlog My Soul” started. We would love nothing more than to see many, many more blogs emerge, actively encouraging anyone and everyone to “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32).
Because, when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “It’s all true, it’s all true, it’s all true!”
Hurrah for Israel!
Terri Pontius
Like this:
Like Loading...