The Speed of Technology Advancements
This is a time in the history of the world when great and marvelous things are happening—and happening at a pace never before known to man. The last days are truly upon us.
W. Jeffrey Marsh, in his August 1998 Ensign article, cited Elder Joe J. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy, who pointed out that the quickest Adam and Eve could communicate or travel over long distances was by horse. Almost 6,000 years later, the fastest Joseph Smith could communicate or travel was by horse. No progress in travel in almost 6,000 years of history!
But beginning with the Restoration, the Lord began to pour out his Spirit and unveil modern inventions that have enabled us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. [W. Jeffrey Marsh, "Training from the Old Testament: Moroni's Lessons for a Prophet," Ensign, August 1998, p. 15]
In that same article Brother Marsh quoted Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, saying in general conference in 1926:
I do not believe for one moment that these discoveries have come by chance, or that they have come because of superior intelligence possessed by men today over those who lived in ages that are past. They have come and are coming because the time is ripe, because the Lord has willed it, and because he has poured out his Spirit on all flesh. [CR, October 1926, p. 117]
Just in the time since I graduated from high school, more information has been produced than existed in the previous 5,000 years—and that amount of information is estimated to double every five years. It is impossible for us to learn all of that, let alone determine its value and worth. But it is there, available to us.
If we are humble and seek the Lord's guidance, he will help us to know how to access the tools we can use to do our part in furthering the kingdom. We are in a prime position to make a difference and to be guided in directions that will have the most positive influence.
Janet Scharman - BYU Devotional given December 1, 1998