There are many lessons we can learn from Lehi’s dream. One that stands out to me is a message given by Elder Boyd K. Packer in a devotional to BYU students. He taught,
Largely because of television, instead of looking over into that spacious building, we are, in effect, living inside of it. That is your fate in this generation. You are living in that great and spacious building.
That talk was given a decade ago; I believe if he were giving it today he might say, “Largely because of the Internet and social media we are, in effect, living inside of the great and spacious building.”
Does that seem true to you in your life and in the lives of those you teach? I’m writing this post on a plane returning home from a trip to Jerusalem. As I look at the various screens around me on the plane it’s clear that there are many opportunities to virtually enter the great and spacious building, even if we do not physically do so.
Thinking about this has caused me to reflect on my own choices concerning how I use various forms of media. Here’s an invitation I’ll be taking to help me abide by the precepts taught by Lehi and Elder Packer. “Carefully analyze every piece of media you participate in for the next 48 hours (e.g. YouTube, Netflix, Instagram, Music, etc.). Does the media you participate in lead your towards or away from the great and spacious building?” I hope you’ll take this invitation and share with me what you’ve learned.
If you’re teaching Sunday School or Seminary, you might be interested in this idea about one approach to helping students act on principles like the one I’ve just discussed.
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