I understand that we cannot text message faith. I remember hearing a lesson (at least a couple times over the course of six years of Aaronic Priesthood classes) about the necessity of humanity in faith and the Gospel. We cannot simply build robots (I believe one was named Cal…Q. Later) who regurgitate the lessons. And in fact, the lessons have become more organic and human with new materials.
But, still, we live in 2010 and we are moving forward. Technology is a part of much of our lives. How much do we use it to supplement our faith?
A while back, a friend of mine on twitter invited me to work with her to write an article on the LDSTech Community, (or at least cover the Developers Conference they held earlier this year.) I was flattered to be asked to work in such a project. I also found myself extremely inadequate.
I ultimately decided to decline the invitation.
This article isn’t going to be a comprehensive coverage of anything like that [so, if you happen to be reading this, @NotSoPoetic, it’s not like I stole your idea and went along without you :).]
But recently, I’ve been thinking about that.
I am somewhat interested in technology. I dual-boot between Windows XP (yes, I understand that this operating system is…almost a decade old) and Linux Mint. I don’t necessarily collect, but I am very interested in smartphones and their OSes, keeping track of news about the new iOS 4, Blackberry OS 6, Android, webOS, Windows Phone 7 Series, and…you get the point?
But I am simply an enthusiast. I don’t program. I don’t develop. I consume and scrawl out some code in a terminal occasionally in order to troubleshoot.
So, from a technological standpoint, I obviously don’t think I can even scratch the surface of talking about the LDS Tech community…except from a standpoint of being a consumer.
Back when I had a Palm Pilot (and then when I moved to a Dell Axim x51v…and then when I moved on to…you get the point), I always wanted to find some kind of program so I could load up the scriptures with me. Back then, I guess I just wanted to do it because I could. (Maybe such is true now).
So when I downloaded the LDS Gospel Library to my Palm Pre, I guess I felt the spirit of old times’ sake. Of course, if you don’t already know, the LDS Gospel Library is available for all the major mobile platforms.
I guess I could give a review. But again, that’s not quite the point here (although I will say I am quite impressed with the app.) I’m really just trying to provide a framework for discussion.
Of course, since we are all here, then we know about blogging. But are we just readers? Are we commenters, or are we writers as well? And beyond blogs themselves, do we engage technology with our faith in any other ways? Twitter, anyone?
I’m just wondering…how much…and in what ways…does technology supplement and help your faith?
Comments 12
I use technology quite a bit. Of course, I am a blogger here, and I find the interactions here extremely satisfying (and sometimes aggravating 🙂 ). I really feel like blogging has helped my faith quite a bit. It fills the void for another ill-prepared Sunday School or Priesthood lesson.
My wife thought I never studied the scriptures, and was surprised when I told her I read them online. http://www.blueletterbible.com is my favorite website for studying different translations of the Bible. I frequently refer to http://scriptures.lds.org to find BoM or D&C scriptures. (I wish I could get rid of the footnotes easily, because they don’t copy and paste well in a blog.)
I had my genealogy on my Palm when PAF was available for that platform, but I have a new Motorola Q and haven’t been able to figure out how to get the scriptures or PAF on it. I’ll have to check out the website. The funny thing is that my wife called me to ask when HER mother’s birthday was because she knew I was into genealogy and had it….
I wish I could get rid of the footnotes easily, because they don’t copy and paste well in a blog.
Upper right corner, “Hide Footnotes”.
I use my iPhone for scriptures/manuals etc. at church (sometimes for hymns as well). I like email a LOT more than the phone for hometeaching, etc. My current Bishop just sends out emails to schedule things which is nice…
I committed the sin of envy when I found out you folks HAD the BofM and D&C online, even if you do have wierd chapter numbers and verses. 😀
FireTag, perhaps we should team up to put a CoC version of the D&C and BoM online. Personally, I would like to get a copy of your version, and I think many people would find it a valuable resource. Perhaps we could collaborate?
Mormongandhi was looking for the same thing, and someone on Saint’s Herald may have found one for him, but it wasn’t searchable. I’ll see if I can find a link.
If it depends on me, we’ll be up to Section 185 before it gets done! 😀
I’m only 46 and I have to wear bifocals, which for me signals, 1) i read way to much or 2) I’m going blind from reading on the computer to much. I don’t know, but sometimes I’m old school I’d just like to have a book in my hand.
I think people sometimes hide behind the technology. I include myself in that opinion. The other thing that I don’t like is this, we may be having a conversation, but I still can’t hear the tenor of your speech, nor can I see your facial expressions. I think that’s the number one reason why we have disagreements on this site because of it. Without it, I think a lot of things get lost in the translation, like for instance jokes.
There is a non-searchable pdf version of our D&C (which may not contain Sec 164 yet). It’s a 1.6 meg file and its at
http://www.box.net/shared/x7067y9dqo
The D&C link was provided by jeswitts (becomingvisible.wordpress.com)
In process now of downloading an app for my iphone which has the entire stake on it (and it is taking a very long time to load…..). I love using my gospel library app, too.
Reading blogs has been tremendously helpful to my faith–it’s comforting to find other LDS folk who are devout AND not fans of G. Beck. Blogs have been a way to have thoughtful gospel discussions I don’t get to have in Sunday School, etc. It’s not even that the topics have to be deeper doctrine/little-known history, etc.–it’s just that here there is an opportunity to really develop an idea, work it through that we don’t get in the block. As an example, I read this post earlier today and have thought about the question of how technology is a blessing (or not) in my life.
I just came to this post after reading up on the MoTab Choir’s 100th anniversary of making sound recordings. I realize that may be of marginal relevance in this context, but thought it worth mentioning as a reminder that the Church, as an institution, has been (relatively) tech-savvy for a very long time now…
I learned long ago that trying to teach people in a chatroom, even when trying to clarify misconceptions and correct lies, is a good way to get banned.