Wednesday, June 13, 2018

7 Day Social Media Fast

On June 3rd the youth and their parents were invited to a a worldwide devotional with President Nelson and his wife. For one month before the youth had been asked to read their scriptures and pray daily about what they needed to hear that night.  It was a fantastic devotional.  President Nelson asked (several times):
"My question tonight to every one of you between the ages of 12 and 18 is this: Would you like to be a big part of the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today?
Would you like to help gather Israel during these precious latter days? Would you, who are the elect, be willing to help find the elect who have not heard the message of the restored gospel? Would you like to be among those “swift messengers” of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke?5
Now, participating in the gathering of Israel will require some sacrifice on your part."
He proceeded to give the youth 5 things to help them to prepare to enlist in the Lord's Battalion to gather Israel.  The first was to hold a seven day fast from social media.  After the meeting as we were eating refreshments one person asked exactly what was social media, FaceBook, SnapChat and Instagram?  I told them that I thought it was a decision that each family was going to need to go home and figure out for themselves.  And that is just what we did.  We personally decided to do it as a family, not just our kids, and because the prophet had earlier said to disengage from our phones we decided that it was all social media, games, and video.  Leah went one step more and chose not to even text, except her family, and only when needed. 
Here is what we learned from this experience.  We learned that for us the problem is YouTube videos and games.  My kids can waste a lot of time on YouTube if we let them.  And they are only allowed 1 hour a day on screens, but still. Dave and I like to play a few games on our phones at the end of the day, or as I wait during sports practices.  Time wasted that we could be doing more productive things.  Our kids aren't interested in FB and are not allowed SnapChat.  So it was just Instagram.  Blake has an account but rarely goes on.  For Leah it is not just a fake friendship thing.  She has been very selective in who follows her and knows almost every single one of them personally.  And talks to them often if not daily.  It is how she has built such a large group of friends and can go anywhere in Southern Albert and know people.  All her friends are in a different town and she really missed talking to them as she doesn't see them much, but her and Emily did talk on the phone most days. I went on 4 times. 1. To see Maycie open her mission call. 2. To ask a question about a local business. 3. To check for answers. 4 To look up the pool schedule. So while there are definitely down sides and things we need to watch out for there is also good in social media.  All of Cora's FHE, ward, and party info is done through FB.  We just need to be wise and sparing in our use.  There were moments this past week when the kids were antsy and I would have loved to have them just text their friends or play some games, but we toughed it out.  Sometimes playing card games or reading together.
Another thing was, we were once again pleased with the friends our kids have chosen.  President Nelson did not say we needed to start immediately, in fact he said, "Please think about it. Don't answer just yet."  Then went on to explain more of what he was asking them to enlist in. But every one of our kids' closest friends chose to step up and join the battalion immediately.  No hesitation.  They were going to follow the prophet now! These are a strong, good group of kids that support and strengthen each other.  Some of their other friends voiced that they thought the idea was stupid, or that they were just telling their parents they were doing it, but really just turning off notifications while parents were around.  Thankful for the good friends my kids surround themselves with.
We were fortunate the next Sunday to hear a little background.  We were invited to a special broadcast again with Pres. and Sis. Nelson.  (Also Elder Rasbad and his wife.  Another excellent evening)  Sis Nelson talked about what it was like to be married to and live with the prophet as he was getting revelation.  She mentioned the revelation for the youth the week before and told how the adversary was really working against them to deliver the message and invitation the the youth.  She said, "we were literally lucky to be alive."  Satan wants these kids.  He will do anything to distract and lure them away. It is time!! We have to step up and be fully engaged, be fully committed. Cora said in her meeting with the prophet he basically said there is no fence, we have to choose which side of the valley we are going to stand on. As we were coming home from the second broadcast I mentioned something that I had realized a while back while in the temple. Satan is commanded by the power of Jesus Christ to leave and he has to obey.  He has to be obedient to that power.  We have that power.  If we stay faithful, if we stay worthy, if we stay strong, if we stay on that covenant path, we have that power.  We have the power through Jesus Christ to command Satan to leave us alone.  And he must obey. Blake said that in the change room at school quite often the boys will start talking about inappropriate things.  He has started singing Primary songs to himself to block it out. He is asking the adversary to leave him alone.  It works.
We learned our personally distractions and have made steps to be better.  We are continuing to work on the other 4 steps we were given that evening.  But Dave and I are very pleased with the decision our kids have made.  They said yes.  Yes, they want to be a part of the Lord's Battalion, battalion how cool is that, they are literally joining an army to gather Israel.
If you made it this far I would really like to know ( if you also did the fast) how it went and what you learned. 

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