Not too long ago I was sitting in a Sunday School meeting (not a class but rather an administrative meeting). It was pretty dry but toward the end an interesting discussion took place. One of the Sunday School teachers remarked that he frequently had a hard time teaching the youth because of their iPods/smart phones. The problem was he couldn’t ban the electronics from class because they were the only source of scriptures the kids had. He went on to say that he somewhat sympathized with the kids because he himself didn’t own scriptures. He just used his iPad or Kindle.
At this point, another member of our group piped up and courteously said that he didn’t understand how this brother couldn’t own some scriptures. He went on to say that there was just something about having scriptures in your lap and being able to turn the pages. Further, he said, they just seemed to be more “spiritual” in the paper-and-leather format.
A few more people jumped in on both sides of the issue. It seemed the older folks landed on the print side of the equation and the more youthful persons defended the electronics. After a few minutes the Sunday School pres got us back on track and that was the end of that. No one, in my mind, made a strong case one way or the other for the exclusive use of their medium.
I’m curious what the readers of the Cultural Hall think? Are hard copy scriptures the way to go or does the electronic version scratch your itch? I’d appreciate the feedback but arguments one way or the other are needed. Back up your stance. I’d also be curious if age is a factor. If you are older do you prefer the originals? Do the “generals in the war in heaven” like the electronic stuff? Or is that an unfair stereotype? Let me know what you think.
Scriptures aren’t the same since they moved away from scrolls. Or illuminated manuscript. Or plates. 🙂
I recently gave a lesson about the scriptures and brought in my seminary scriptures, mission scriptures, and the tiny quad that I have had since I was 17. Everyone smiled because they know I’m the iPad guy.
I will promote electronic books for one simple reason — the continued access of God’s word. Just as the printing press revolutionized Gospel knowledge, electronic access will continue to get the scriptures into more hands.
I don’t disagree about the widespread distribution the electronic format affords, but I wonder if something is missing there vs paper? For example, my mission scriptures are a treasure to me because of the notes and the highlighting and yes, even the smell. I know you can make “marks” and notes with the electronic format but I Doug my mission iPhone would be as valuable to me. I guess I’m just a Luddite.
I meant doubt, not Doug. See what I mean about the electronics? They’re out to get me!
I don’t think one is more spiritual than the other, but for me I find it easier to “dig into” the paper copy. I do love the footnotes links and what not that you can do with the digital copy. It’s a similar debate as books vs. kindle/nook/electronic reader. There’s nothing quite like sitting down to an actual book in your hands.
Ultimately, there is no arguing that the availability of the scriptures in digital form is invaluable. However, having a printed copy to call your own, can become more of a treasure.
http://ldshappy.blogspot.com/2013/02/paper-scriptures-and-escriptures.html for my commentary. 🙂
I don’t think one is more “spiritual” then the other. I love haveing the gospel library on my phone. Its so convenient, I love that I don’t have to carry around tons of books to church. I love that even comes with audio files for most of the content so I can listen to it in my car, or at the gym. I also love my physical gospel library at home. Scriptures are scriptures regardless of formats, they are equally able to bring the reader closer to Christ and joy in the gospel.
I don’t think there is one right answer for this one but I do prefer paper scripture for the spiritual relationships like when I am sitting in class I trust my paper scriptures to help me find what scripture I’m look for. I like the electronic for convenience like when I am at church and I’ve forgotten my scripture bag in the car or at home I pull out my phone and voila…I can read right along with everybody else.
Thanks for everyone’s input. I guess I come down on the side of paper for one reason: they are scriptures and nothing else. There’s no other way for me to look at them. My phone can be the scriptures, Angry Birds, recipes, spreadsheets, movies reviews, and on and on and on. It’s a different relationship for me, even though the words may be the same.
I don’t have anything against online scriptures, but I think everyone should own a set of the standard works in book form as a backup. Books don’t need batteries, if you drop them you just have to dust them off or dry them out, and a book has a longer shelf life than an Ipad X or Kindle Y.