By Nicole Rodriguez
"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." — Articles of Faith 1:13
We live in a world overflowing with content. Every scroll, click, and share shapes the way we think, feel, and act. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints and content creators, we bear a responsibility not only as consumers of media but also as creators. That's why I'd like to introduce a framework I call THRIVE: a guide for creating and consuming content that reflects our values.
T - True: Base Everything in Facts
Misinformation spreads fast. We've all seen a post that felt convincing but turned out to be misleading, and many of us have shared something before verifying it. As creators, we owe our audience better than that.
Truth, as we understand it in the gospel, doesn't shift with trends or convenience. What is true today will be true tomorrow. So, before we publish, let's ask: Can I back this up? Let's check our sources, question the intent behind the content we share, and commit to accuracy over virality. As consumers, let's pause before hitting "share". One fact-check can stop a wave of misinformation.
H - Honest: Create with Integrity
President Hinckley, the 15th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught, "In matters of honesty, there are no shortcuts... There is only the simple, honest truth spoken in total candor."
Honesty in content creation means being transparent about who we are and why we create. It means resisting the temptation to perform a version of us that gets more likes but reflects less truth. When we show our real experiences, real beliefs, and real intentions, we build trust. And trust is the foundation of any meaningful connection, online or off.
R - Respectful: Honor the People Behind the Screen
Respect takes many forms in digital spaces, and each matters.
Respect means giving proper credit when we use someone else's work. It means protecting others' privacy, remembering that what we share about people can follow them in ways we never intended. And it means refusing to contribute to the culture of harassment and division that too easily finds a home online.
Paul taught, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying" (Ephesians 4:29). That standard doesn't pause when we open a browser. Every comment, caption, and share is communication — and it either builds or it doesn't.
When we share opinions (and we should), let's do it from an informed, grounded place. The world has enough noise — let's choose to show up as disciples of Jesus Christ.
I - Inspiring: Make People Act
Every piece of content we create should move someone. Companies inspire people to try something new. Teachers inspire students to think differently. We can inspire others toward Jesus Christ.
Mormon, a prophet and primary writer of the Book of Mormon, taught that "that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually" (Moroni 7:13). That's the standard. Not content that entertains for a moment and fades, but content that genuinely moves people — toward a better habit, a moment of reflection, a desire to serve.
Before we post, let's ask: What do I want someone to do, feel, or become after seeing this? If we can't answer that, we might not be ready to share it yet.
V - Virtuous: Guard What You Put into the World
Virtue is about morality and character, and it shows up in the content we create and consume. As creators, let's ask: Does this promote integrity, kindness, and purity? As consumers, let's go further and ask: What kind of person does this content encourage me to become?
The Lord commanded, "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly" (D&C 121:45). Not occasionally. Not when it's convenient. Unceasingly. That's a standard that follows us into every scroll, every click, and every share.
The things we feed our minds shape the people we grow into. Choosing virtuous content doesn't just guard our hearts — it keeps us anchored to who Heavenly Father is helping us to become.
E - Edifying: Leave People Stronger
Edifying content builds people up intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. This is the final test, and it's a high bar. Something can be true, honest, and even inspiring, and still fail to edify if it leaves people feeling empty.
The Lord instructed, "Strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings" (D&C 108:7). All your conversation. All your doings. That includes the content we create, share, and engage with every day.
Before we publish anything, let's ask one final question: Will people leave this stronger than they came? If the answer is yes, share it. If not, reconsider.
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