Technology; A Blessing and a Curse

 "...Thou shalt not ^aidle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy ^btalent that it may not be known." 

-Full Reference-

There are countless opportunities provided to us through the virtual world.

We can go all over the world in the blink of an eye.  We can see the Great Wall of China, travel to the Eiffel tower, then talk to another person on the other side of the world, all while eating at the local burger joint. 

 

This technology, more specifically, the internet, has allowed us to keep in touch with people that we otherwise would not be able to and keep tabs on them(ahem... FACEBOOK-Stalking!).  We can take classes online and learn in ways that may not have been dreamed of even ten years ago.

But there are dangers too.

Viruses.  Hackers.  Time-wasters.(yes, they're a danger too!)

Back when I was home, instead of spending some quality time with my family, I wanted to try to save the galaxy from the tyrant Mengsk.  Again.  

I wanted to survive the Zombie Apocalypse with my fellow virtual survivors, rather than chilling with my real family.  

I wanted to beat down the Sith Lords(or join them to rule the galaxy... One can never decide...) instead of playing with my little brother.

Y'know, the little things.

Technology is wonderful.  I will never argue that, but I look back to the time that I could've been spending with my family, maybe helping those around me, and I just shake my head...

What could I have done with all that time that I spent on the computer???

I love video games!  There is no arguing that.  I love playing the stories, listening to the music, discovering who beat who.  But I feel like I could've spent it more wisely!  As it states in the bible; there is a time for EVERYTHING(!) and it's important that we not waste the already little time we have! Amulek (A missionary from The Book of Mormon) reminds us,

"For behold, this ^alife is the time for men to ^bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of ^cthis life is the day for men to perform their ^dlabors."  -Full Reference-

The internet is great, wonderful, and all around useful, but think about what we could be doing instead of wasting time. (Unless, of course, you're doing something useful, in which case; Good on ya!)

In the Mormon Message below, David A. Bednar(an Apostle) provides the following two questions to help us with our use of technology;

1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?

2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?

Made with excerpts of David A. Bednar's  talk, "Things as They Really Are"

In the end, I can only remember the prophetic council of Jacob(another prophet from the Book of Mormon), which helps me when I'm trying to make a choice-

"O be ^awise; what can I say more[!]?"

-Full Reference-

Note: There is a voting option to the right that you can select a question that Elder Hart and I will answer!  Vote!  Make your voice heard!  Let us know that people care...  :( 

Question; What methods have you learned to help you spend your time effectively?

Parents: They really do care!

"I, [Aram], having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my [Father and Mother]..."

                                                                                          -Full Reference-

I wish I had spent more time with my family before I left on my mission.  I wish I had gotten to know them better and built up a better relationship with them.

Yes, we have a good relationship right now, but I think back to what it could be if I spent more time getting to know them when I was younger...

When I look back at my child and teen years, I take a look back memory lane.  I see flashes of the little things my Dad did for me.  He tried to reach out to me but something else was always more... Important. (you know; video games, books, homework, etc.)

Created with excerpts from M. Russell Ballards' Talk "Fathers and Sons: A remarkable relationship"

Did I take a moment and ask my parents about their hopes and dreams?(shocking, right?)  What about their life BEFORE I came into the picture? (Yes, there is a before)  How much time did I really spend with them?

Made with excerpts of Robert D. Hales Talk "Our Duty to God: the Mission..."

It's a two way street, both parent and child need to want it...

But how do we increase our relationship???

We do it the same ways that we build friendships with other people!  At least that's what I've found.  I talk with them, I ask them how they are doing!

I think it's kind of like that with God.  

Do we really know our Heavenly Father?  Do we want to know Him?  He's already there, just waiting for us to go to Him and let Him know that we are ready to start talking!  This Mormon Message really puts it in perspective!

I know that we can go to our Heavenly Father in prayer and talk with Him, just as we do with our parents here on Earth.

What activities have you seen that help build a better relationship with your parents?

Note:  Elder Matt Hart will be taking over posts on Fridays starting next week!  Be sure to give him a warm welcome!

Patience: It's a virtue for a reason

"Go forth among... thy brethren and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls."

-Full Reference-

Patience has been something that I've struggled with my entire life.  I want to keep pushing forward, I want to keep improving myself as fast as I can.

Most of the time, that's not in Gods plan.  FALSE!

God realizes that if I improve as fast as I want too, I would be very, very, very, tired...

 King Benjamin(a prophet-king from The Book of Mormon) talked to his people about this.  I'll 'liken' this scripture to how I read it when I need a reminder to slow down,

"...See that [improvement is] done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [you] should run faster than [you have] strength."

-Full Reference-

Improvement has a cost-
Trials.  Time.  Pain.

Even when we exercise, we're tearing muscles to make them stronger.  When we go through trials, we're trying our Faith, to make our spirits stronger.

Something that has always helped through these times of trouble is the fact that I can always go in prayer to my Heavenly Father.  I can talk with Him.  I can ask for help.  I can tell Him what I'm feeling.

Like any loving Father, he knows what's going on, but he still wants to hear it from us!

I also found that serving/helping others is a GREAT way to help me feel better.  It just gives you that warm tingly feeling!

Over time, I have learned that patience with our Father in Heaven and trying to understand why He would allow us to go through trials is a way to thrive while going through our tribulations.

This Mormon Message is a great uplifter and it's helped me out a lot!

Made from a speech given by Quentin L. Cook, "Hope Ya know, We Had a Hard Time"

How have you learned to help yourself be more patient?

Creating; A lifelong dream...

"And it came to past that he began to speak to [the] people from [his blog]; and they could not all hear his words because of the greatness of the multitude; therefore he caused that the words which he spake should be written and sent forth among all those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words."

-Full Reference- 

I've always wanted to do... something.  Throughout all of my life, I have loved taking apart things, figuring out how they work, making new things out of the scraps.  

It's safe to say; Lego's were my favorite toy while growing up.  

To tell you the truth, sometimes in the past, I grew frustrated with myself;  "I want to have his/her talents!", "Why can't I do stuff like they can!?", "I wanna be creative too!"

Every single time, I eventually came to the same conclusion and sometimes, I didn't like it;

I am me.

I have my own talents, my own abilities, my own skills.  When I don't pay attention to them, I don't hurt others, I hurt myself.  If I want to build up other talents, I practice them, I try them out.  I go to God in prayer and ask him to help me.  Eventually, I become more than I was.  

When I use my talents, my gifts, I am being just as creative as those people of whom I was jealous.

This short clip helped inspire me to use my talents.  Yes, it's aimed at women but it applies to everybody!

This was made from excerpts of a speech given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Happiness, Your Heritage

How have you been able to realize and develop your talents?

Feel free to comment!  In fact, it's encouraged! :)

~Blog will be updated Tuesdays and Fridays~

Soul Writing

I'm a soul writer.
You're a soul writer.

In some way shape or form, we all just want to write down the things in our hearts.  We want to share it with others.  we want others to understand why these things are important to us.

    That's why I'm making this blog.

I want to share what I believe.  I want you to understand why it's important to me.  You may not accept the things I write; That's okay.

    Like Nephi(A Prophet from The Book of Mormon) wrote,

    "And upon these I write the things of my soul...  For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them... Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart Pondereth continually upon the things I have seen and heard..."  -Full Reference-

These things mean a lot to me.  I want you to know that.

Hopefully, I don't become a 'Sole' writer, where my writing is simply thrown on the metaphorical ground to be walked upon, left in the dirt, where the only ones who truly appreciate this are the soles of the feet that walk upon it.  Nephi (the same guy) was worried about this too.  So he included a couple of verses in his record, which I will put in the context of this blog...

    "Nevertheless, I do not write anything [in this blog] save it be that I think it be sacred...  For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet... I say, trample under their feet, but I would speak in other words-  They set [them] at naught, and hearken not..."   -Full Reference-

I know you can gain something from this blog.

It might be inspiration, you might be going through a hard time.  It might be knowledge, you might just be curious as to what goes on in my head, it might be uplifting, you may have an insight that helps you in your day to day life.

In the end, reading this will be what you make of it.  I invite you to, if nothing else, pay attention to the thoughts and feelings you have while reading.

That's all I ask.