#14: Micro-service projects in "The Vineyard".

I love lds.org. It is a fantastic repository for all things Mormon.  As I was perusing the site recently, I stumbled across a sweet new feature for anyone looking for a 5-minute service project (specifically designed for those of us with short attention spans...."Squirrel!").  


I now introduce you to "The Vineyard" (http://vineyard.lds.org/). 


As stated on the site, "Helping in the Vineyard provides service opportunities that can be completed in minutes.  Participants from around the world spend as much or as little time as they like completing the activities online.  As a result of the thousands of acts of service, the Church is able to publish and share more resources worldwide."  In less time than it takes you to read this post and/or dance the Macarena, you can perform a micro-service project in "The Vineyard"!


Here are some of the great things you can volunteer to do:


1. Church Publications: Proof and edit Church magazines (Ensign, Liahona, New Era, The Friend, Nintendo Power....okay, okay, not the last one)

Lehi contemplates a career in bowling.

2. Church Multimedia: Review and tag Church multimedia to share with the world by reviewing images/videos and by submitting multimedia of your own (I should probably hold off on submitting my Mormon/Celebrity comparisons from Post #6).

Master Kimball and Master Yoda.

3. Translation: Translate Church material into other languages so that the information can be distributed worldwide.  I bet "Wookieesh" is an option.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery translating
the Book of Mormon (into English, not Wookieesh).

4. Family History: Extract infromation from genealogical records to be indexed into familysearch.org.  This is actually one of my favorite activities.  It makes me feel like I am contributing even when I don't have time to do my own family history.  Plus, some of the names I find are hilarious.

I like how these pictures are slightly crooked.
Apparently these people had their photo taken during an earthquake.

5. Church Technology: Design software applications for technology projects that the Church is working on.  This one is a bit above my head, but I know some awesome engineers/nerds who should definitely give this project a look (you know who you are).

This picture makes me want to be a hand model.

6. Donations: In addition to volunteering your time, you can also support LDS philanthropic efforts through "The Vineyard".  You can donate to "Arts and Culture", "Caring for the Poor and Needy", "Education", and "Missionary and Temple" funds.

"The Good Samaritan" by Walter Rane, as found at
http://lds.org/images/Manuals/tchg-pix.nfo:o:158.jpg

Mormon Wookiee's recommendation of "The Vineyard": You should definitely check it out.  Kid tested.  Mother approved.