"For Such a Time As This"

Having just returned from my service as a full-time missionary, I am slowly adjusting to post-mission life. Part of that adjusting is using technology and social media again. I had the chance in my mission to have an iPad for proselyting and was able to participate in online proselyting through Facebook and Skype. Before my mission I was a bit wary of technology and social media, because I saw how it can be misused. I knew that it could be used for many good things, but I didn't know my place in doing good with technology and social media. My mission has taught me that I have a great purpose in being here at this time and in this digital age. We as missionaries could reach more people working online than knocking on doors, and we were able to find a balance between the two to find people to teach. Through technology and social media, the Church of Jesus Christ has been able to share the Gospel message with the entire world. It was so wonderful to be a part of the Lord's work in this manner.

We know of the good that technology and social media can do to help us be connected and share the Gospel, but as in everything in life, we need to have balance. In the Ted talk we watched in my Psychology of Social Media class, the speaker discussed the importance of having time away from being connected, to have time for ourselves and build a personal foundation. I like that point, and I have seen that time away from social media can be liberating and can help us be more in tune with the Spirit.

My mind is brought to the story in the Bible of Esther. When asked to sacrifice her life for her people, her uncle Mordecai asked her, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). The same question can be asked when faced with the challenges of using technology and social media for productive purposes. We have been called to be here at this time in this digital age so that we can bring about the Lord's purpose. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord." As we continue to find balance and use social media for righteous purposes, we can truly see miracles in our lives.