2. Elder Bednar’s Admonition and Approbation of the Internet

For one of my school homework assignments I have to talk about two articles by Elder Bednar that we talked about in class (both of which were pretty good!).

Elder Bednar’s Admonition and Approbation of the Internet

In his two talks, Things As They Really Are, and To Flood the Earth, Elder David A. Bednar speaks on the same topic, the internet, but gives his audience two very different perspectives of their effects.

The first talk that Elder Bednar gave, Things As They Really Are, is a warning to his listeners about the dangers that the internet can present to a user. He states that everyone on the earth has been given a body and a life to live; we do not need to be living a pretend virtual life. Spending too much time in a virtual world diminishes the importance of a person’s body. It can also cause relationships to be weakened, educational or career opportunities to be passed by, and the small detail of life that bring joy to be missed out on. This talk was given to the younger people of the Church and lays the foundation for his second talk.

The second talk, To Flood the Earth, is also based on the internet, however, this time it is about how social media specifically can be a force for good. Elder Bednar explains how social media can be used as a missionary force in the fact that one person can share a gospel message instantly and others can see it from anywhere around the world. Members of the church can literally flood the earth with uplifting messages that can bring others closer to the Savior. This talk is addressed to an older generation and could be introducing them to the advantages that they may have been unaware of before.

Elder Bednar’s first talk was a warning about the dangers of the internet. It is important for people to know that while the internet and social media can be wonderful tools, they can also pose great threats to those who misuse them. However, he goes on to share the great things that can be done with the social media and how it can be used to spread the gospel. Elder Bednar’s talks are a great source for information for those wanting to learn about the dangers and advantages of the internet.