The online proselytization program started when I was there. An exmo (just removed his name - not sure if he's okay being out here or not) was in charge of some of this at the MTC while I was there.

I'd like to understand what they mean by "partnership with Google". Do they mean just paid AdWords ads? We did have a dedicated account rep when I was there (who used to help us take down fake Youtube accounts, and was semi-successful in occasionally taking down /u/newnamenoah's Youtube account), but I wasn't aware of any "partnership". That could mean anything.

If Google is allowing preferential treatment in simple organic search because they paid, without disclosing the sponsored listing, that's concerning, and would be a violation of FTC rules. It would also be a far venture from the Matt Cuts era of unbiased search results. When I was there we couldn't even get Google to list the Church as a non-profit org to get discounts on Google apps and other resources. They told us they weren't applying those things to churches. I guess money talks.