No More Facebook

Yesterday in church our Bishop played the talk by Elder Bednar given at BYU-Idaho. I apologize but I cannot find it nor remember the name of it. It was discussing appropriate use of media and virtual realities.

My Bishop asked us to have a prayer in our heart as we listened and be close to the spirit. So I said a quick prayer and focused very intently on the speech. What a wonderful talk it was! So many elements of it stuck out to me. One being that if we deny a prompting or do not do something Heavenly Father would want us to do, then we invite Satan.

Another was the statement that what we do in virtual worlds (i.e. video games, chat rooms etc) is still a reflection of our heart and spirit. So if we sin in them, we sin. This has given me the strength to push to clean out our video games and movie collection.

He talked about the importance of our bodies and how we should not put them in jeopardy for fun or a thrill experience. He also discussed virtual relationships. While it seemed to be more in line with men and women forming unhealthy virtual relationships online, I felt strongly about the "virtual friendships" that have begun to rule my life.

My thoughts came to Facebook. For me I know that one issue I have with Facebook is the amount of time I spend on it. So I have worked at this and a couple of month ago eliminated all the games from it. Then last month I told myself I was not aloud to get on it while at home. I have been very proud of these steps that I have conquered.

While listening to Elder Bednar I felt that the relationships I care most about with my close friends and family have turned into "virtual relationships." I do not talk to those I care most about on the phone or even in email. I talk to them online in one line phrases on Facebook. I realized that the friendships and relationships with those I love is far to important to be watered down by Facebook.

So I made the decision yesterday to give it up. When I woke up this morning I was physically sick about it. I did not want to give it up. I began to list more and more reasons for leaving ... avoiding gossip, cultivating real relationships, focusing better at work ... etc.

I was late going in to work because I was rolling around in bed having horrible dreams and feeling so sick. I got into work and deactivated my account. All day since I have been having withdrawal symptoms. Yes from Facebook! I get sick when I think about it, and long to sign on again. In fact I did once just to make sure I closed my account but alas, all I have to do to reactivate it is to sign on again! So giving it up is even harder because I can at anytime sign on again.

I wish to have real relationships with people, be able to call them and get together. I hate the awkwardness that arises sometimes when you meet up with a friend who you only communicate with over the Internet. My friendships and relationships are too important for that.

So this was my decision, and it is right for me. It is incredibly difficult but right for me. I am following the guidance of the Spirit and keeping focused on the eternities before me and my family. That is what gives me the strength to walk away from things of this world and focus on what really matters.