Technology has been my friend because I can easily send messages to my families and friends where ever they are through electronic mail. As a stake single adults representative we can invite other single adults to activities through text messaging and postings in social networks. I can do my genealogy and search for my relatives through the net. I can now look for jobs without leaving home. I can simply heat some ready to eat food. We must also realize that technology has helped the building of temples and chapels in a shorter time compared to 40 years spent by the pioneers in building the Salt Lake Temple. Technology also made us capable of participating in live broadcasts of General Conferences and other meetings. There are also various media materials which help us better understand secular and spiritual subjects. Technology brought advances in medicine and health care which provides us broad choices of treatments which are advantageous and less risky. We could send help to the needy immediately and keep our records at work or church easily.

However, technology has also become a foe. It has made a lot of us impatient because we expect everything to be instants. We lose personal contact with our families and friends as we become busy with virtual social networks. As more and more time is spent on the computer, television and mobile phones, time to study the scriptures has deteriorated.  Pornography has also thrived because it can easily be accessed through the net.

I know that the Lord provided us technology to improve our spiritual and secular learning as well as the quality of our lives. We must just always remember that as we enjoy the benefits of technology, we must constantly listen to the Spirit as it guides us in choosing the right.

By Rae Dianne Fajardo

For me, technology can be both a friend and foe. A friend because it is a powerful tool in helping me in my projects, especially in doing research allowing me to save time and energy compared to going to the library. It makes communication easier. Electronic mail and mobile phones give us immediate access to our relatives and friends anywhere they may be.  Even digital entertainment devices like mp3 players and portable gaming gadgets give us temporary fun.

But technology today can be a foe too if you do not control the time you spend in it. It can be addicting. And if you neglect your physical and spiritual health like not getting enough sleep or forgetting to eat it can be very destructive. Overexposure to new media can also pollute our minds with the things we read, see and hear.

Technology is a friend or foe depending on how we use and treat it. It is a blessing from God which we can use for good at home and to serve others.

By Abraham Arrieta , Paranaque Philippines Stake