Techies and the Church

Technology is a powerful tool to the Church; it is also a major distraction. Computers are used at temples for records and have drastically increased the rate at which ordinance work can be performed. Computers used for genealogy allow members to find and ensure temple work is performed for loved ancestors. Computers also play a large role in welfare management, materials management, and record keeping. However, technology has become a huge distraction in the Church as well. A Sunday School teacher sharing a lesson while 4 or 5 students play games, text, or check sports scores on iPhones has become a frequent occurrence. The Spirit has a hard time teaching when these things are going on. I personally am a fan of physical scriptures, because it removes the temptation of opening an app or game on a phone. It even feels a bit strange for me to see a bishop carrying around an iPad. I hope that technology can continue to be a powerful tool for the Church, while the distraction component can be minimized.