President Hinckley, BYU Speeches, 16
October 1990
We
are constantly reminded that there is cause for alarm in our nation. It is
shocking to read, for instance, that illiteracy is on the rise. ...One of the
reasons for this condition lies in the way in which so many spend much of their
time. I deplore the terrible waste of the intellectual resources of so many
people of this nation who devote countless hours watching mindless drivel.
In
the Wall Street Journal was a column written by the former editor of the
Chicago Tribune. He wrote of certain aspects of television and then
asked:
What is the mystery...about a society that has the manners of
a rock band, the morals of a soap opera, the decision-making ability of the
Simpsons and wants to pay for government with Visa and American Express? Why
should we be surprised that our underlying culture is constructed from the
ratings-based, give-them-what-they-want, remote-controlled, quick-zap world of
commercial television? [Jim Squires, “Television’s Civil War,” Wall
Street Journal, 8 October 1990, p. 10]
To
you I say, don’t be a couch potato. Be a man or a woman with a mind and a will
and a bit of discipline, with a zest for learning.
“One of the ways Satan lessens your effectiveness and weakens
your spiritual strength is by encouraging you to spend large blocks of your
time doing things that matter very little. I speak of such things as sitting
for hours on end watching television or videos, playing video games night in
and night out, surfing the Internet, or devoting huge blocks of time to sports,
games, or other recreational activities.
“Don’t misunderstand me. These activities are not wrong in and of themselves (unless, of course, you are watching salacious programs or seeking out pornographic images on the Internet). Games, sports, recreational activities, and even television can be relaxing and rejuvenating, especially in times when you are under stress or heavily scheduled. You need activities that help you to unwind and rest your minds. It is healthy to go onto the soccer field or the basketball court and participate in vigorous physical activity.
“But I speak of letting things get out of balance. It is not watching television, but watching television hour after hour, night after night. Does not that qualify as idling away your time? What will you say to the Lord when He asks what you have done with the precious gift of life and time? Surely you will not feel comfortable telling Him that you were able to pass the 100,000-point level in a challenging video game.
“One devastating effect of idling away our time is that it deflects us from focusing on the things that matter most. Too many people are willing to sit back and let life just happen to them. It takes time to develop the attributes that will help you to be a well-balanced person.”
COUNSEL TO YOUTH
Young men, rise up and discipline yourself to take advantage of educational opportunities. Your education will strengthen your service in
the Church.”
You are moving into the most competitive age the world has ever known.
All around you is competition. You need all the education you can get. Sacrifice a car; sacrifice anything that is
needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world.
That world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your
worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field.
You belong to a church that teaches the importance
of education. You have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your
hearts and your hands.
“We cannot waste time entertaining ourselves
when we have the chance to read or to listen to whatever will help us learn what is true and
useful. Henry B. Eyring
Elder M. Russell Ballard “Raising the
Greatest Generation of Missionaries,”
2003 BYU Women’s Conference
- Limit the amount of time spent playing
computer or electronic games.
How many kills or baskets or points one can score in a minute with a
computer game will have zero effect on children’s ability to be a good
missionary and may, in fact, dull
their senses, emotions, and receptivity to the Spirit.
- Limit the time watching television,
and go to movies, and watch videos. And beware—be fully aware of what our youth are watching
on all kinds of media.
- Accepting responsibility for decisions
and master self-control.
4.
Learn not to waste time. Focus on things
that matter most, such as
how to serve and find joy in putting the happiness of others ahead of our own.
“Of
the time that is allotted to man here on the earth there is none to lose or to
waste. After suitable rest and relaxation there is not a day, hour or minute
that we should spend in idleness, but every minute of every day of our lives we
should strive to improve our minds and to increase the faith of the holy
Gospel.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 290)
Elder David R. Bednar, “The
Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” October 2011
It is no coincidence that
FamilySearch and other tools have come forth at a time when young people are so
familiar with a wide range of information and communication technologies. Your
fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work
of the Lord—not just to communicate quickly with your friends. The skills and
aptitude evident among many young people today are a preparation to contribute
to the work of salvation.
As you respond in faith to
this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. Your testimony of and
conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will
be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you
participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth
and throughout your lives.
Young people increasingly
need to be learners who act and thereby receive additional light and knowledge
by the power of the Holy Ghost—and not merely passive students who primarily
are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26).
You will count your many
blessings as young people devote more time to family history work and temple
service and less time to video games, surfing the Internet, and
Facebooking.
President Spencer W. Kimball, “On
Cheating Yourself,” New Era, April 1972
I
have interviewed many young men for missions, and I have asked them this
question: “What were your grades in high school or college?” A little
embarrassed, many have answered, “Oh, about a C average.” I have then asked, “Was that the best you could do?” And
almost without exception their answers have been, “No, I was capable of better
work. I fooled around and wasted my time quite a bit.” Such young men then
realize that they have cheated themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment