Imagine this conversation:

“Hey! My name is Clara. I will be one of your guides today! How are you feeling?” I asked, helping a woman into a ziplining harness.

“I’m nervous. I’ve never gone ziplining before!” She responded.

“You will do fine! We are amazing guides! Where are you from?” I asked, to get her mind off the heights.

“Florida,” She mostly likely responded, “Where are you from?”

“Me? Utah!”

“Really? Aren’t you Mormon? How did you get here? Are you even allowed to use technology?” She asked, genuinely.

“I walked across the Ocean like Jesus.” I responded. 

Haha just kidding. What I really said was this…

“I am Mormon and I drove my car from Utah, loaded it on a ferry and then drove to here…” I said, then had to move on to the next person. 

END SCENE!

Except not end scene. Because this conversation really happened while I was guiding in Ketchikan, Alaska. I shouldn’t have been confused since members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints AKA Mormons are often confused for the Amish, Mennonites, or Quakers. This is definitely not the first time I have had a question like this. It’s happened a few times and will probably happen a few times more. 

I’ll be honest. I loved it! 

A- It gives me a good laugh (not to their face because I try to be nice). 

B- When people say things like this or ask questions like this, it gives me the opportunity to learn and grow. Who doesn’t love that?!

Mormons LOVE technology.

They embrace technology. They endorse technology! All in moderation, of course. And with good intentions. We aren’t encouraged to cyber bully, but to uplift. We aren’t encouraged to spend all day on our phones but to use them to personally progress in life. Technology is a privilege that connects us all and can be a positive tool to serve, help, and communicate. 

Even back in the 1800’s, Church leaders were discussing technological advances in the world.

“Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind has been given by direct revelation from God . … It has been given with a view to prepare the way for the ultimate triumph of truth, and the redemption of the earth from the power of sin and Satan. We should take advantage of all these great discoveries … and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work.”

Brigham Young

I served an eighteen month mission for the Church in the southern provinces of Argentina at the age of 21. Without technology, I wouldn’t have been able to email my family once a week or keep in touch with my friends I made in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico and the USA. Technology helps us help each other! Isn’t that a wonderful thing? 

Technology also grants us freedom of speech, travel, blogging, sharing, and communication!

So of course Mormons endorse it! That being said, I can’t guarantee that all Mormons are perfect little angels and have never abused technology. I’m sure guilty of being a technological butt head.

I’ve gotten speeding tickets, may or may not have been mean to someone over the phone or on social media, and quite possible, I may have, at some point, used the tech to waste lots and lots and lots of time. Heaven knows (and so do quite a few people) that I’m FAAAAAR from perfect and have had/will continue to have moments of complete brutish rashness. But that’s why I’m going to therapy. Well, not really but I’m hoping therapy will help me reign in some of personal issues that manifest themselves in my interactions with others.

The leaders of the Church encourage people to use technology intentionally and wisely.

In October 2019 an article was published that lends advice to the youth about how to use technology in the best way possible.

The main points of the article are:

• Remember your life is outside your phone.
• Seek connection, not attention.
• Keep future self and future employers in mind.
• Check your mood.
• Be kind to everyone….
• But trust very few.

The article ends with this little slice of wisdom.

Technology can be “a powerful force for good in the Church and in the world. … Make sure that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind, increase your opportunities, and feed your soul.”

President Russell M. Nelson

Whether or not you are a Mormon, you’ve got to admit, this is solid advice.

And one of the reasons I’ve decided to take this blog in this direction: To spread some love, joy, travel stories that helped me grow, and knowledge.

If you see a Mormon using technology, fret not. That’s just what we do because we are people living in this world who also want to stay connected, informed, and be heard. And if you know a Mormon who’s being a total jerk online, send them this article. Kidding. Sort of. Perhaps they’re having a rough day.

Thanks for reading a Happy Travels!

Additional Resources:

On technology:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2018/01/teaching-with-tech-engaging-youth-in-a-digital-world?lang=eng

On using social media wisely:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2019/10/how-to-avoid-a-social-media-mess?lang=eng