Back in the 19th century, President Brigham Young said, “Every discovery in science and art that is really true and useful to mankind, has been given by direct revelation from God. … We should take advantage of all these great discoveries … and give to our children the benefit of every brand of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work.”

In 1972, President Spencer W. Kimball said, “I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse.” He then spoke about devices not yet invented in 1972 that would enable church members to connect with each other immediately.

We live in an amazing world of technology, and it is essential for each of us to use it wisely and in the ways that God intends us to use it. In the October 2010 general conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf warned us about becoming distracted by media, electronic tools and gadgets that can “become hurtful diversions or heartless chambers of isolation.”

There is danger that technology can overtake our lives. We can become so busy multi-tasking with e-mail, Facebook updates, radio, iPods, and tweets that we never have a quiet moment to reflect on what we’re actually doing or to take a moment to listen to the Spirit. However, if used properly and in balance, technology can be a wonderful tool to bless our lives and accomplish God’s purposes.

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