Media Article Reflection

1. I chose to read "The Message: Mushrooms, Music, Movies, and Magazines" by Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Second Quorum of the Seventy.
2. I thought it was really interesting that he related listening to, viewing, and reading all kinds of media to mushrooms. He talked about how some media, like some mushrooms, are good and beneficial. Others he called "doubtfuls," meaning that we may not be able to tell if they will be good for us or bad for us. In these cases, it is better to stay clear of doubtful media, rather than get into something that we will regret later. Still other media and mushrooms he called "look-alikes," these were things that look like the good, beneficial media, but are actually poisonous. Elder Condie then provided a checklist to use to help determine if something is good or bad. We are to ask ourselves if the media: a. Is virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, b. Allows you to stand in holy places, c. Does not take the place of your desire to seek first the kingdom of God, d. Does not keep you from striving to deny yourselves of all ungodlines, and e. Helps you to abstain from all appearance of evil.
3. I think it is important to teach children right from wrong and how to determine what media is uplifting and good for them, and what pulls them down and takes away the spirit. Parents should discuss with their children the way they feel when they read or watch or listen to something good, and how their mood changes if they are exposed to something bad.
4. I will try to make a better effort of watching only uplifting things, sometimes I fall into midless TV watching or computer game playing when I should be doing something more productive such as serving others. I am going to try to be better about this.