General Conference

As most of you know this past weekend was general conference, which is a wonderful time when we are blessed to hear the words of a living prophet and his apostles. However, there was a historical aspect to the specific general conference, especially pertaining to media. Speakers were able to give their talk in their native language. And because of the wonders of technology those of us who listened to conference via the internet or television were still able to know what the speaker was saying due to a voice-over with the English translation. I just loved this aspect of this conference. I thought it was wonderful for those speakers to be able to speak in their native language and still have 15 million people know what they were saying.

Technology Being a Blessing in my Parents' Lives

This past weekend I participated in the Choir Showcase for BYU. I was very excited to be in this, but saddened at the same time because my parents were not able to attend, seeing that they live 2000 miles away. However, thanks to technology they were able to listen and watch part of my concert through a feed that was provided by BYU Arts. My parents were so thrilled to be able to still participate in one of the things I love the most, which is music. I am so grateful that media and technology was able to bless my parents' lives in this way.

Are we checking our cell phones too much?

http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/gfdv15/9-18-14-in--60-seconds

So I only wanted to show the first 30 seconds of this clip, but I couldn't find just that. But this is something to laugh at, but at the same time I think is a big problem with us today. I know that I have the problem of checking my phone way too many times in a day. Have we come to rely on our phones too much in order to communicate with those we associate with? Maybe we should all get this app Stephen Colbert talks about, and see how many times we check our phone in a day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqJc8xKcZVU

For FHE tonight my group went to our High Councilor's house. He gave us a great lesson on media and how it should be used for the better. He showed us this clip from Elder Bednar's address during Education Week this year and I loved the message that Elder Bednar gave to us. I think it would be good for all on the earth to hear this message.

A Blessing of Media

As a lot of you know, we had a regional conference this past Sunday. We were able to hear the words of a few apostles, Elder Scott and Elder Nelson. It was wonderful to hear the messages that they gave to us. I was one of the fortunate people who were invited to watch the conference at the Marriott Center, from which it was being broadcast. It was a great experience to be so close to them and feel the Spirit which they brought. However, not everyone who watching was able to watch in the Marriott Center. It was being shown in churches throughout Utah and Wasatch Counties. This was such a blessings for those members to still be able to hear the words of Elder Scott and Elder Nelson via satellite. This is one of the blessings of media today. Most people can watch a broadcast without actually being there in person. It really is a great thing! And I love how the Church uses media so much in everything they do so that more people can hear the wonderful messages.

One Problem with Young Adults Today

Yesterday I had the privilege of going up to Salt Lake City on Frontrunner with my brothers and a few of their friends. It was a great experience to spend time with them and catch up with them. But what I noticed on the way back to Provo was that as soon as we sat down on the train, we all pulled out our phones and were looking at them. I include myself in this as well. After a few minutes I realized that none of us were talking with one another. Were we just unable to have a conversation with one another if it wasn't through a text message? I think it was then when it struck me how much we rely on our phones to communicate with others, especially with those our own age. I know I am guilty of this as well. But I think we should all take the time to have a face-to-face conversation with people. I believe that it will be more meaningful in the end. I know with several of my friends here in Provo, this is how I like to talk with them if I can. I understand if you can't always do this though. It's ok to text as well. But I urge you to have meaningful conversations with those you care for. It will make all of the difference in the world.  

The Best Destressor in my Life!

If you were to ask any one of my closest friends, you would find that it is a well-known fact that I love music. It is one of the greatest joys in my life. However, for me music is not just something I listen to everyday. It is my life. It's what I live and breathe. It affects every aspect of myself: my mood, my feelings, my attitude towards others, and even how well I can complete my homework. This past school week has been so long and so tough for me, that I would come home most days tired, stressed and wanting to be shut off from the world. And it is at moments like these that I like to turn on one of my favorite Pandora stations, my classical music station. I love listening to classical music to calm myself and destress from my day. On a particular day this week, I turned on this station and it started playing my absolute favorite classical song of all time, Claire de Lune by Debussy. It was exactly what I needed in order to get through the rest of the night. And I came to realize that Pandora knows me too well....but in a good way. But basically the point I wanted to make to you was that media is a big part of my life, especially when it comes to music. And music is honestly the greatest destressor in the world. Well, that and cleaning up my apartment. I suggest that you try listening to classical music the next time you are overly stressed.