Lds Org Family Picture Video No Family Is Perfect

Elder Stevenson Tells LDS Women to Avert "Debilitating Comparisons" of Social Media

Contributed By Rachel Sterzer, Church building News staff writer

PROVO, UTAH

To illustrate the "idealized reality and debilitating comparisons" resulting from social media, Elder Gary E. Stevenson shared the story behind one of his family photos.

To someone seeing information technology for the first time, his family unit may look similar "a family of 4 lovely, well-behaved boys, color coordinated, enjoying a harmonious family photograph opportunity together."

Withal, what that person doesn't realize is that the Stevensons turned around their 2-yr-old's white turtleneck to hibernate a bloodstain resulting from a bloodied nose, they placed their oldest son'south arm to strategically cover a grass stain on his articulatio genus, they waited 20 minutes then their 3rd son's optics were no longer ruby from crying, and they bundled their 2d son's hands to cover his white athletic socks considering he failed to wear his "scratchy" dress socks.

"Then when you lot see this beautiful picture—of our family unit, anyway—and lament, 'Why can't I go things together and be a picture-perfect family unit like theirs?' You all know better!" Elder Stevenson told women gathered in the Marriott Heart for BYU Women's Conference.

"The world commonly is just non equally bright as it appears on social media. Nonetheless, there is much skillful that has, and will, come through these new advice platforms," Elder Stevenson said.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks in the Marriott Middle during the closing session of the annual BYU Women'south Briefing held May four–five in Provo, Utah. Photo by Jaren Wilkey, BYU.

Elderberry Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks in the Marriott Centre during the closing session of the annual BYU Women'south Briefing held May iv–five in Provo, Utah. Photo by Jaren Wilkey, BYU.

In giving the final keynote accost at the almanac conference Fri, May 5, Elderberry Stevenson encouraged listeners to employ the "new and exciting channels of technology" to share "the noesis of a Savior."

"May each of y'all accept the courage to weblog, pivot, similar, share, mail service, friend, tweet, snap, and swipe upward in a fashion that will glorify, honor, and respect the will of our loving Heavenly Father and bring a cognition of a Savior to your family unit, loved ones, and friends," he said.

As a fellow member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called equally a special witness of the name of Christ in all the world, Elder Stevenson said he is able to focus on the fulfillment of the prophecy given past the Book of Mormon prophet Male monarch Benjamin—"that 'the knowledge of a Savior' is spread throughout the world"—using the latest technology available.

"The opening of the dispensation of the fulness of times in 1820 brought an enlightenment upon all mankind and a waterfall of technological advancements," Elder Stevenson said. "It brought with information technology the industrial historic period and communication tools allowing the prophecy of King Benjamin to be fulfilled."

He quoted Church President David O. McKay, who said that "scientific discoveries that 'stagger the imagination' would make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people. And further: 'Discoveries latent with such potent power, either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings, equally to make man's responsibleness in controlling them the most gigantic e'er placed in man hands. … This age is fraught with limitless perils, equally well as untold possibilities.'"

President Spencer W. Kimball similarly prophesied, "I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly a glimpse."

Advances in communication and media seem to exist a "literal fulfillment of the prophecies of Rex Benjamin, President McKay, and President Kimball," Elder Stevenson said.

He and then shared examples of how technology is existence used to build the Lord's kingdom on earth. "In 1996, the Church officially began employ of the web as a messaging and communication vehicle. Since and then, an estimated 260 Church-sponsored websites have been introduced, including sites available in virtually every country where members of the Church live, in their local language."

Church building apps such as Gospel Library, Mormon Channel, LDS Tools, LDS Music, and Family Tree are being used millions of times each calendar week by millions of users, he said.

Since 2010, the Church building has also been adopting social media including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Snapchat to accomplish "spreading the noesis of a Savior," he connected. "Institutionally, we are using these social media sites in a powerful manner."

For case, a video segment of a "tender" message on depression given by Elderberry Jeffrey R. The netherlands of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during general briefing has received more than 2 million views on Facebook alone, with many thousands of likes, shares, and positive comments.

In addition, the Church building posted a video on Instagram highlighting a spoken language at the United nations by Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President. The video received more than 102,000 views in the first iii days.

But while new technologies hold many virtues when used appropriately, there are likewise many risks, Elder Stevenson warned. "We should be very aware of the time that tin can exist consumed in social media or in the use of mobile apps," he said. "The employ of social media likewise carries a risk of reducing confront-to-face interaction, which may be stifling the development of the social skills of many young people.

"The hazards associated with inappropriate content cannot be understated. There is an increasing epidemic of pornography addiction in society, which is negatively affecting and victimizing fifty-fifty Church members and families," the Apostle said.

Elderberry Stevenson said as he pondered and prayed about his message, he woke early in the morning with the lyrics of a song on his mind: "How lovely are the messengers who preach us the gospel of peace."

"Ours is the bulletin of peace, and you are the lovely messengers that preach information technology," he said. "We live in a unique world, in the fulness of times, with the ability to preach the gospel of peace literally at our fingertips."

Elderberry Gary Eastward. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the closing session of the annual BYU Women'due south Conference held May 4–5 in Provo, Utah.

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Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/elder-stevenson-tells-lds-women-to-avoid-debilitating-comparisons-of-social-media?lang=eng

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