I’ve been thinking about electronics at church. I’m not quite 100% positive what I think or feel about them yet. We have a problem with them in Young Women, girls bring cell phones to church. Some of them say they have their scriptures on them, so they need them. Yet I still see those same young women texting during prayers and lessons. Some even go so far as to stand up in the middle of class and leave to go answer a call. So what do we do? They have their scriptures on their phones so we should let them keep their phones right? Well what about the fact that they use their phones for things other than their scriptures?
Really though this problem is not limited to the youth. I sit in sacrament meeting and see people pull out their cell phones and text. I even see grown adults playing games during church on their phones. Once I was in a class (nursery) and another parent was talking about a cruise she’d like to go on. Pulls out her phone and hops on the internet and starts looking it up so she could tell the rest of the adults more details. What about ipads? People use those as scriptures and notepads in church. I must admit I haven’t seen an ipad used for games in church, maybe because it is so much bigger it would be completely obvious whereas with a phone or ipod people think they are being more discreet (hate to break it to you, you’re not). Even when an ipad is only being used for “appropriate” things I still feel it’s a distraction. They are huge and bright and distracting. As far as scriptures on phones and ipods I’m not positive my feelings on those yet, still letting that one mull around for a while. But using them for any other purpose just feels irreverent to me. I feel like it is yet another way Satan can drive the spirit out of a room. This in my mind makes them rude and inconciderate to those around you as well. Not only do they distract the owner/user but others and the spirit as well. I think phones should be turned off during church, or at least completely silenced. Vibrate is not sufficient, that can still be heard, that also still allows your phone to distract you. There are a few exceptions, those people whose jobs require them to be on call. Well maybe there is only one exception because that’s the only one I can think of.
I can’t really picture someone pulling out a cell phone and texting a friend with the Savior sitting next to them. So why do people feel it is ok do to that when someone who is trying to learn about the Savior and become closer to the Savior, trying to feel the love of their Savior, is sitting next to them? I can’t help but wonder how many spiritual experiences have been missed because of some electronic device. These are just my own thoughts and feelings on this. Please don’t be offended if you think differently. Also please don’t feel like I am referring specifically to you, I’ve been thinking about blogging about this for quite some time. Please DO feel free to share your thoughts about this topic. I’d like to know what other people think. Since I feel like I’m in the minority in this one, judging by how many people pull their phones and other gadgets out during church.
6 comments:
I don't think having your scriptures on your phone is enough of an excuse to have your phone in class. They can simply go to the library and check out a BoM or whatever. I think you should ban then during YW. Would the parents back you guys up on that? It's totally rude and detracts from the Spirit. There is absolutely NO reason for a teenager to have a phone on and be using it during church.
I have to say I agree with you. It drives me crazy to see people texting or playing games on their phones at church. I am fine with them using them to read scriptures and sing hymns, but other than that they should not be brought to church. When I was reading about the girls in YW in made me think that maybe you could get some scriptures from the library and tell them all electronics must be turned off. If they argue they use it for the scriptures then hand them a paper set to use that day. I don't know. It's frustrating. As hard as it is, try to ignore it so you can still feel the spirit instead of feeling frustrated the entire time you're trying to listen.
I completely agree. My husband does use his for lesson manuals in church and even that drives me crazy. I understand the use of having them outside of church, but during church I think having your own set of scriptures is more conducive to the spirit at church. I agree with the other two comments. I would talk to the parents about your concerns and see how they feel about it, but either way, I would say no phones in YW. They can borrow some scriptures.
I can imagine that there will be a talk on this in GC this April. All singles ward bishops say to leave phones in the car. Last week I heard a bishop say that by not being able to give up the phone for 3 hours shows the Lord that your phone is more important to you than the Lord. Nothing is going to happen in 3 hours that requires you to be so connected. But I do admit I use my phone at church all the time. I can't sit still that long. And I don't even have scriptures on my phone.
I totally agree with you. I never liked phones at church. I always left mine at home. I didn't even take it to church. Until I had baby #2 and I can hold him and look at my scriptures in the other. It is much easier to look at them. If I didn't have my scriptures on my phone I probably wouldn't have any scriptures with me. Just because I have enough to carry. However I still don't like taking my phone to church and am not a fan of phones at church. So right now I am being a hypocrite. It's late, I don't know if this even made sense. Haha!
I agree with you!! Its like electronics are the Golden Calf that people are worshipping! They can't go 3 hours without electronics? Does that mean they can't go 3 hours without praying or thinking of the Gospel?!?! I agree with whoever said that this might come up in GC, I hope it does!!
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