Things as They Really Are

Elder David A. Bednar warns of the harmful effects digital technologies can have on our souls and invites us to ask ourselves two questions to see if we are using these technologies properly.
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[@DummyForceRed]

I'm so consumed with technology, that I miss opportunities that I'd actually remember. I so grateful for this message, I seriously needed to here this.

[@JacobEnglish76]

"To be encircled about eternally by the arms of the "Saviors" love will be a real and not a virtual experience!" So moving and powerful and true!

[@NerdyEd]

As one who works in technology, I can say this is true and good advice, even for adults.

[@debbiedoodle92]

wow, I cried while watching this...I am guilty of this. I want to change my ways...I owe it to my family members :'(

[@ClaySummersMusic]

Hey hey! That's me in this video! I'm so grateful for the oppurtunity I had to be a part of this project...the message is absolutely true. There is so much media and technology vying for our attention in this world, we have to be very careful with what we partake of, and be sure we are giving the proper attention to the things in life that REALLY matter!

[@danrosales7615]

This message was made 9 years ago, but the lesson is still needed right now than ever.

[@gordonbarnes3541]

Yep. Own a phone, but don't let the phone own you.

[@luismolleda9170]

This came at a perfect moment to instruct my son and review our own patterns as family.

[@Userjm7848]

I'm atheist however I agree with some of the fundamentals

[@JustinPratt1]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. This message seems to be universal, whether religious or not. We should not let technology consume our lives. It is a great tool to do a lot of good in the world, but when the tool owns us, it is no longer effective in its purpose. When it comes to our families and personal connections, technology can help bring us closer. However like shown in the video, can also, if used inappropriately, distance us from others.

[@stephenbailinC7GS]

I hope you will, as I have, use the statements he made to my benefit and change me.

[@mrchosop]

Last line gave me shivers.

[@paulandcorde]

I thought this was a great reminder to ALL of us when we are watching tv, movies, playing video games and such.

[@moldisj]

The soundtrack in 1:25, the piano...so beautiful. And, most important, the speach.

[@serioussalad]

Love it! It definitely reminders us to unplug and tune into the spirit. Thanks Elder Bednar!!!

[@thigomes23]

To Be in the arms of His Love will be a real and not a virtual experience

[@pamweinberg1212]

Thank you. My sons have this problem. They are good but, saddens my heart. They are in their twenties. Thank you 😊🙏😇

[@timothyriser5678]

This impact of this message will shift over the next decade, away from merely avoiding time-consuming media, to understanding and navigating the subtleties and dangers of increasingly immersive and "high fidelity" uses of media. Oculus Rift, GearVR, and other consumer virtual reality products are already here. Like William Gibson said, "The future is already here, it's just unevenly distributed." I am personally giddy with anticipation for coming wave of personalized education that the intersection of virtual reality & machine learning will make possible, but I find myself troubled about how I will teach my own kids about how to use virtual reality. Let's be clear: VR is NOT bad. But like Elder Bednar says, when rapid shifts occur, we have the responsibility to dig down and discover "things as they really are" so we don't misuse or find ourselves abusing new technologies.

[@eS-ql7vm]

Quite the experience, reading this comment 5 years after it was written and contemplating all that has happened technology-wise in the intervening years.

[@mrajclnlvmrgl3220]

Thank you Elder Bednar and to this video. Even I was 22, I was reminded again. Thank youu 🙂☺

[@steeltalon2011]

It comes down to self discipline and an understanding, as Elder Bednar clearly stated it, to not waste our time on this Earth.

[@omiolo]

playing that video game with a little child present sent chills down my spine.

[@CheetahpawGaming]

12 years... And it still applies to us now. Amen!

[@strivetobe]

Yes!!

[@noahclark7603]

The spirit is so powerful with these videos they always have been

[@PogonaPrincess94]

I'm not a very religious person, but this is accurate. Worked with technology for quite sometime and I do know when to go to a stopping point

[@BoothsEurotrash]

You never really think about it until it is put into the perspective of the Gospel and how Heavenly Father views these things. I spend was too much time on my iPhone and FB... time to town it down.

[@chrisangel1401]

I should have watched this video at the beginning of summer! :( Oh well....life is about learning from your mistakes!

[@justanotherhuber]

Technology is one of my favorite parts of living. But recently, much of my time has been spent on it. Now that summer is here, it has been hard to limit. Thank you Elder Bednar for helping me to reset my priorities.

[@davincent98]

I'm 31 years old, and this can help my generation as well. It might also explain why I am single...

[@BYUCougarFan31]

seriously quickly became one of my favorite Mormon Messages

[@raisinbrandyn]

thank you for this mormonmessage! I love to watch these, they give me a new perspective on the things that really matter and help me live a happier life. I've started to make sure that I have read scriptures and done all the hw necessary for the nxt day before txting or facebook-ing. It has made such a difference in my life & blessed me with the Spirit to guide me in ways I wouldn't have imagined. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, I have felt it bless my life in so many ways. Thank you!

[@scottandjamiet]

Mormon messages are awesome

[@tuesdaymacdonald]

I'm going to show this to my brother.(He really needs the message)!!

[@imhoLDS45]

Now I dont consider myself overly religious but I honestly cant say I see Jesus playing really much of any video games that I see out there (grand theft auto 4, call of duty mw2 [referring to the airport level]) i finally realized this plain and precious truth after 2 xbox live players were arguing (using words i dont dare repeat) over an issue of why our team lost, which seemed unimportant to me. All im trying to say is I

[@AlexLopez0506]

Well, this is one of the very reasons why I'm happy I don't have a cell phone. That way I can enjoy more of what Our Heavenly Father has given me, and enjoy the lovely world He's created.

[@musicaldrawing4808]

Alix Human I don't own a smart phone, but I do own a tablet.. At least it's not a phone.

[@islandgirlxx3465]

I love these short videos.

[@ingvildkvakestad]

I love this technology is the only way I can talk to missonaries it also showed me evil I am working on avoiding that evil

[@210jenn]

This is beautiful. Thank you for making these wonderful videos.

[@MickelsonBJ]

I really appreciate this video. This is an effective call for vigilance and balance in our lives. Grateful for Elder Bednar's inspired words.

[@OSRS16]

Thank you, Elder Bednar and Strive to Be!

[@asuydguyasgbdkj]

This is not just a video. It is an apostolic reminder and speech coming from the Apostle of the Lord.

[@sam1594788]

I believe this is true. I have been struggling to stay righteous on my devise so I plan to use it more sparingly and look after my brothers and sisters as I am supposed to. I believe this to be true and I hope I will listen to this and others who are having problems like me.

[@annyperez8565]

This is really true of what this elder says ;-)

[@temporayhome]

I've always known this, but when spelt out in this 'apostolic warning' it is a wake up call, time to exercise the 'power of choice'

[@aiddld]

I have to say that 15 years ago when there was no internet I read the scriptures and more lds books more more more than now. The video is true.

[@FASASUD]

I am sure that God gives us His love showing their voice warnings through his holy prophets, and the best way we can thank him for his great love is following the holy prophets of the Lord and be safe.

[@stopcompetingstartenjoying9175]

These words from this talk touched my soul, "Does the use of technology enlarge our capacity to love and serve in meaningful ways?" I believe it can if used wisely, which often means less time online and more time with people in hands on service.

[@franciscoacuna8463]

Great message.

[@dextersurdu308]

What a great message

[@kewlestkidondablock]

I come here too often! But I cant help it...I love these videos. :3

[@nwalter08]

0:28 I love that game!

[@alessialynn7098]

Right now I’m doing a challenge to not use electronics for anything besides music and LDS stuff. I’ve have learned for this experiment. I would recommend it!

[@ambertoy3]

THANK YOU for making these videos, they help me in ways you cannot imagine. :) I can defin. spend less time on facebook! Thank you for the reminder, and for all of you who have put in so much hardwork to make this-thank you! it was not wasted!

[@l8ndadgmail]

Great words of wisdom

[@RcascadeD]

this was good and totally needed!

[@MegWasHere2011]

I love this video

[@delmorgan]

This a good warning!

[@megansimons1012]

I am now going to close my laptop and go play with my little brother

[@christianjohnson5379]

Elder Bednar is definitely right. However none of us should mistake his counsel as saying: Don't do ANYTHING fun with technology, don't play video games or use apps, that's NOT what he's saying. He's simply telling us to put the more important things first, you can play your favorite video game...but don't let it take you from your relationship with God and your family.

[@thundersheep001]

this is so true ..thank you

[@danceryetnerd]

this is so cool!

[@yesiruelassings28]

Yeah, she went to school with me for a while :)

[@ccconrad88]

It is not always the game that you play, but the length that you play it. If you feel the game is taking up too much time or the content is blocking the Spirit from your life than you must limit the play time or remove the game fully. It is a personal choice you must pray about.

[@nessiehannasus4694]

This is so good!!!

[@edwardnielsen2661]

i appreciated this message, it said it in ways I could not. technology is good as long as like one other said we own it not it owning us.

[@gregoryfouriesa]

Great video, especially for us, not sure how to use technology for good.

[@jenfira]

Thumbs up! Great video!

[@neotev]

This is very true... This video always makes me sad. Because I fall into this category . I am addicted to video games. Its because I use them to escape the world. Because I hate the way my life is going. No matter what I do I cant get out. I always come back. Please dont make the same mistakes I do. For it is a trap that you cannot get out of. I wish it were different but Its so hard. :(

[@MissTracyf1]

I LIKE IT ! 100%

[@jasonfalcon]

I was once addicted to video games and I wasted away much of my time. At that point in time I did not fully realize it until after I quit playing the games. If you want to truly know if you are addicted to a game consider your thoughts. When you are at church or in the temple are you focused on what is happening? Or are you thinking about what you want to do next in your game or which quest to complete? These are not thoughts coming from the Holy Ghost who should be present in such situations.

[@qqwwerttyuiopp]

scientists don't even have to make a mistake for science to be untrue! The scientific method is a process that does not necessary lead to absolute truth. Instead it leads to a hypothesis that we are not able to falsify. And ultimately this contributes to the fact that sciences changes so often. (even in principle). With the gospel however, we can be sure that the principles will never change!!! They never have!!

[@raymondellis1454]

Your correct about science and the scientific process. The development of technology is riddled with errors that have cost people their lives. Recently it is driverless cars that haven killed people -- Science is powerful but not wise. We know from 1John that anyone who loves the world does not love the Father, and scientists love the world and for that reason have developed this God-less technology. If you like what I said here, see my post about the Song of Solomon.

[@lexinaylor4908]

The funny thing is that I am listening to this at 10:00 at night on my phone. I should go to bed now

[@MrBobmaloney]

Cindy, this is really good. Could you share it with the kids? Thanks.

[@michellerowe9093]

i love it

[@skippymagrue]

I wish they had shown the parents counciling their children about their media use.

[@huntersmith8586]

Watching this on my phone while going ham on some memes....

[@StillSpy]

Good message

[@jessicalockhart1792]

Beautiful video! Would anyone happen to know the song that starts playing at 1:26?

[@eldermacy2004]

www.lds.org/ensign/2010/06/things-as-they-really-are?lang=eng Link to the talk^

[@Syberiyxx]

@slipknot80210 1. Does it invite or impede the Holy Ghost? 2. Does it enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve?

[@godfreylaureano]

yep phone is good if you do in the right way

[@jordanforbes2557]

I've played massacre war 3 it's alright, but not as good as massacre war 2. Lol, good video, and so true.

[@takaylad.saengkeo5957]

The women that is the boys mom is one of my friends from Church

[@ZionicKnight]

Irony, found this posted while surfing facebook too much.

[@rome492]

thack you i spend so much time on games i think ill stop now

[@michl2460]

yet again, I can fly.

[@RainbowManification]

@MKidYup that's what this is saying.

[@toulest23]

I like :)

[@skyhiker9669]

I deleted all the games on my phone and IPad. Don’t miss ‘em.

[@RdoRobles]

How do you know when you feel the holy ghost? Just compare it.

[@abyucougar]

So what "video game" were you really "playing" (I think it was supposed to look like Modern Warfare 3 or something) or where you actually playing one?

[@josuepaepke7619]

Its so disappointing that there are not videos with spanish subtitles i wanted to show this to my brother who forgot that he have a family or even a relation with me rather than with his friends but he dont know english so its a problem to transmite this message as the message does....

[@RainbowManification]

@LOGICandREAS0N He says that too, basically.

[@waynetalili6258]

oh wow!! the brother that is playing the video game, won't even pay attention to his little sister!!!😢😢😢

[@dougvoice]

the 2 questions in this video are:1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live , to love to serve in meaningful ways??

[@gob2011]

@LOGICandREAS0N he says that "I am not even suggesting that all technology is bad."

[@sk8erkenny]

amen

[@strivetobe]

🤍

[@scottmuck]

I would never have watched this, or any of the other Mormon videos, if I wasn't in the habit of using technology. Technology is a great thing that betters our lives.

[@parrafjavier]

Las tecnologías podrán cambiar, mas no los principios del Evangelio..

[@Khaztr]

Hmm, good video (and amazing talk), but it annoys me that the makers of it apparently either didn't really get the message or for some reason decided to try to expand the scope of Elder Bednar's message to non-"high fidelity" technology, as he puts it. The video shows the girl playing what appears to not the type of game or experience that Elder Bednar is referring to in his talk, and instead seems to focus on how time consuming portable media can be. 2 very different, but important, messages.

[@RAF71chingachgook]

Um, that young man on that bus, he needs to give that girl his seat (!) ;)

[@brooklynmiller4583]

2:30, is that Mia Bagley?

[@akatsukiwannabeX3]

you sound a lot like me XD good luck with your summer