Mormon Missionary Work Turns to Social Media

The Mormon Church plans to do less door-to-door missionary work, replacing it with the use of social media, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

"The world has changed. The nature of missionary work must change if the Lord will accomplish his work," L. Tom Perry, an apostle with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told the newspaper.

"Access to the Internet by missionaries will be phased over several months and into the next years."

Another reason for the shift, he said, is that people have become less willing to let people into their homes.

The Mormon plan to phase in social media in missionary work comes on the heels of another major shift in church policy.

In April, the church gave its blessing to the Boy Scouts of America's plan to allow gay youths to join.

The church said Mormon chapels, usually closed during the week, will now be open so missionaries can use Wi-Fi to receive information from people interested in the church and contact them.

Missionaries will be encouraged to use Facebook and text messaging as part of their recruitment.

In an effort to further make the church more accessible, Mormon meeting houses will be opened for tours, church leaders said.