The Perils of the Digital Age
3 June 2010
If you read just one article in the Ensign this month, this is the one to read.
“Things As They Really Are” by Elder David A. Bednar touches on a topic I feel strongly about. Over the past few years I’ve grown increasingly concerned about the disconnect we often feel when we allow too much media (internet, TV, etc) to take over our lives. I’ve experienced this myself with a private blog I’ve been running for a few years now. Too many times I was writing about my life instead of living it. Too many times I let hours slip away as I read one friend’s blog after another.
It’s an easy trap to fall into. One I’ve had to make a conscious effort to avoid time and again.
Elder Bednar explains why this is more than just a waste of time (which is bad enough). He relates this disconnect to the overall plan of salvation, illuminating why that physical disconnect is the opposite side of the coin from pornography and other physical enticements.
Both extremes minimize the blessings and purposes of having a body to begin with. An important part of our spiritual growth.
Eldar Bednar also addresses the fact that our moral guidelines should be just as steadfast in the cyber world as they are in the real world.
Thank you.
I’ve seen righteous women of God say things online they would never say in person. I’ve seen that snowball into more serious and devastating consequences. It’s a heartbreaking thing to witness and, unfortunately, an increasingly common situation.
There are positive uses of the Internet, to be sure. This month’s Ensign addresses that as well. But in all things, moderation. Temperance is a godly trait for a reason.
So here’s my little amen to the principles Elder Bednar teaches. It’s a worthly thing to discuss in our families. I’ll leave you with Elder Bednar’s chilling quote:
“I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls.
We would all do well to heed that warning.”
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