Isn’t technology wonderful? Most of us are so used to the conveniences afforded us by modern technology that we hardly even think about it anymore. Yet, it really isn’t too long ago that such things as online banking, online bill pay, and online shopping were more a story line out of a science fiction novel than reality.
I’m old enough to remember standing in long lines at the bank to get cash out. Does anyone else remember those little bank books we used to keep track of our money? I think I was just starting my first professional job after college when ATM’s first came out. Payday was always a busy day at the bank because everyone was there to deposit their checks. There was no such thing as automatic deposits then. Today, I not only do not have to go to the bank to deposit a check or get money out, but even when I do go to the bank, I don’t even have to get out of my car to do what I need to do.
Look how online shopping has revolutionized the whole retail industry. Sure, nothing beats walking around a mall yourself and looking at the merchandise in the stores, but for those who have a strong aversion to shopping like I do, online shopping is absolutely wonderful.
Travel arrangements is another area where technology has not only made things easier but cheaper as well. Take our travel plans for example. The minute we decided we were going to go Home for the holidays, we went online and started to shop around. I even called a few airlines directly to compare prices with those I found online. Two days later, we found a really good fare through one of the online vendors so we made our reservations and bought our tickets online. We received confirmation a minute later that our flights were booked and paid for.
Yes, technology is truly wonderful. How did we ever get by without it?
One of the greatest advances in technology is in the field of communication. Look at how we’re communicating today. We have cellphones, we text, we email, we IM, and we develop and maintain relationships through social networks. How many of us experience a panic attack when we’re out and about somewhere and realize that we’ve forgotten our cellphones at home? How many of us actually go back home to get it? I suspect quite a few of us do so.
Yes, modern technology is truly wonderful. How did we ever survive without it?
The Internet has completely changed the way we do things. People today tend to get their information from the Internet before any other source. Those of us in the information field are familiar with the claim that libraries aren’t needed anymore because the Internet has pretty much made them obsolete. Thankfully, this hasn’t proven true. Still, it does serve to drive home the fact that the Internet has become the primary destination for those looking for information of any kind.
Because the Internet is such a powerful tool, it behooves all of us to be educated and discerning users. As most of us know, the Internet is not without its pitfalls. We’ve talked at some length about most of them.
Today, I’d like to just reiterate one of those pitfalls; the source!
The Internet has allowed all of us with an inclination to do so to publish an article, a journal, or even a whole book. Anyone anywhere can post his or her opinion on any topic. If we’re not careful, we could end up making our decisions based on the opinion of someone who is completely unqualified in that area. If you remember, I used the example of someone who had no medical training or experience giving medical advice. Honestly, who would you take medical advice from – someone like me who has no medical training or someone who is a trained, certified, and experienced medical doctor?
Elder Russell M. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently commented about the power of the Internet:
The Internet allows everyone to be a publisher, to have their voice heard, and it is revolutionizing society. Before the Internet, there were great barriers to printing. It took money, power, or influence and a great amount of time to publish. But today, because of the emergence of what some call New Media, made possible by the Internet, many of those barriers have been removed. New Media consists of tools on the Internet that make it possible for nearly anyone to publish or broadcast to either a large or a niche audience…The emergence of New Media is facilitating a world-wide conversation on almost every subject including religion, and nearly everyone can participate. This modern equivalent of the printing press is not reserved only for the elite.
Now some of these tools – like any tool in an unpracticed or undisciplined hand – can be dangerous. The Internet can be used to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and can just as easily be used to market the filth and sleaze of pornography.
In the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen an increase of Mormon related articles and discussions on the Internet and the Media. In fact, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church) appears to be a hot topic today. As educated and discerning users and consumers of the Internet and the Media in general, I ask you to please consider where and who the information is coming from. I’ve always believed that if I wanted to know the truth about something, the best place to go is the primary source.
As you read articles and blogs about Mormons that are out there, I ask you to please look closely at the source. If you want to know more about Mormons, I invite you to ask those of us who are Mormons. Ask those of us who live and practice our faith. If you want to know what we believe, please let us tell you and not someone who really doesn’t know what they’re talking about. If you are curious about what Mormons teach please visit our Sunday services. We would love to tell you.
Allow me to share with you our basic beliefs as stated in the 13 Articles of Faith.
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost?.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement? of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances? of the Gospel? are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance?; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands? for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy?, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority?, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles?, prophets, pastors, teachers?, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy?, revelation?, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible? to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon? to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel? and in the restoration? of the Ten Tribes; that Zion? (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon this the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping? Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Yes,
