Elder L Tom Perry, Reliance on Technology, but Salvation in the Word

President Hinckley added to his powerful, emotional witness a list of concerns for the future. One of his concerns particularly stuck in my mind. His worry was with the great growth of the Church throughout the world, it would become increasingly difficult for the Apostles to reach all the members of the Church and personally admonish them to live the gospel. Thus, the future would bring greater reliance on technology to carry the gospel message to the worldwide Church.

Technology has blessed us with many new innovations to spread the message of the gospel through satellite systems, our own network Web site, television, radio, as well as the written text in our magazines and newspaper. All of these add to our delivery systems, which greatly increase our ability to receive the messages that are delivered.

But the bricks and mortar and the continued expansion of technology will only bring the messages to us. One challenge remains the same from the time of King Benjamin to the time of President Grant to today—that is, the challenge of each individual and family, through personal and collective study, to internalize the messages of the gospel of our Lord and Savior. Salvation is not in facilities or technology, but in the word. Only in the power of the word will it impact our lives and help us to live closer to our Father in Heaven.

It is wonderful to be in this beautiful new facility and to have new technology which carries conference sessions throughout the world. But it is the message we receive which, if we study and practice, will bring us the light of the gospel as further preparation in our great quest for eternal life.

From Thou Shalt Give Heed Unto All His Words, by L. Tom Perry (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles), April 2000 General Conference.

President Henry B. Eyring, Technology a Blessing

“The Lord’s plan is to advance ever more rapidly His word and His works and the effects of His gospel throughout the world,” President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said.

He noted that the Lord “has revealed the technology that enables the Church to take full advantage of these advances,” but added that while technology can and does bless lives, “never forget that while we have computers, cameras, microphones, fiber-optic networks, clouds, and satellites, we have failed if we do not rely on the Holy Ghost.”

He said, “If our technology does not improve the lives of others and help bring them home to [the Lord], we have missed the mark.”

President Eyring made the comments at the dedication of the Broadcasting Building and the Information Technology Building at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on Friday, August 12, 2011. Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles joined President Eyring at the dedication service, as did other Church and university leaders.

Ground was broken for the Broadcasting Building on May 7, 2009. At that time, Elder Ballard said the true purpose of technological advances in communication is to “draw those who are seeking to know the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ” and to change “the spirit and attitude of the world.”