WASHINGTON D.C., United States - Working out who you are and developing relationships with others has never been easy for teenagers and young adults, or anyone for that matter. Add in a whole new dimension to those questions, through Internet identities and relationships, and young adulthood becomes a whole lot more complicated.
New Zealander Adam Ruri, a student at Brigham Young University in Utah, is one young person who is finding ways to be himself wherever he is, in real life and online.
Ruri is close to finishing one degree, a Bachelor of Science in Business, and wants to pursue a law degree after he graduates.
Since completing his one year term as student body president, Ruri recently began a summer internship for Senator Bob Bennett in Washington, D.C. While in the U.S. capital, Ruri was also selected to serve as the International Student Association President at BYU.
He returns to campus this fall semester, along with more than 30,000 other students from across the globe.
Through these different experiences, Adam Ruri has learned how to be true to his faith in real life, as well as in cyberspace. While many are living two lives, one in the real world and another on the Internet, in places like Second Life, Ruri is committed to being himself wherever he is.
“I make a conscious effort to ensure my online profiles, pictures and conversations match what I am doing in my life ¯ that they correctly define who I am,” he says.
Two years ago, a senior leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder M. Russell Ballard, encouraged Latter-day Saints to use new media to help others understand what the Church really is and who Mormons really are. He said that Latter-day Saints are best equipped to do this rather than letting others define Mormon beliefs and experiences.
“Elder Ballard’s encouragement was an important factor in my development of a blog,” says Ruri.
His blog, “For The Mates,” is a place where he writes about his day-to-day activities. As he does so, Ruri’s faith is woven into pretty much everything he does and talks about.
“I really want to enter the online conversation about my faith,” he says. “I’m trying to help people realize that members of the Church want to talk about the gospel and that we are happy as we live it.”
On his blog he also regularly writes spiritual thoughts, which he calls “Mormon Notes.” As a part of this online conversation, he also adds links on his blog and Facebook page to the Mormon Messages videos on YouTube.
“I know that we may never know the entire impact of our examples to others, the online world is no exception. I’m committed to constantly being ready and willing to be a good example wherever I am, online or not.”
Recently, Elder Ballard urged graduating students at Brigham Young University to proclaim their belief in Jesus Christ and to avoid being defensive.
“The online world can be a fantastic place,” says Ruri. “Instead of escalating arguments and saying harsh things, you can ponder what you should say and craft a thoughtful reply or simply leave a more friendly remark. There is no need for anger or contention.”
