Technology and innovations can change and bless lives, when used correctly. That’s the message Dan Christensen shared with students at BYU-Idaho in his devotional talk.  

The "I's" of Technology

In his devotional address Christensen pointed out how many new devices today start with the letter “I” and then exclude any thoughts of “we.” 

Christensen then shared 11 “I” words that describe what we should do with the opportunities and challenges of today including words like: Innovation, Inspiration, Imitation, Integrity, Interpersonal connections and several more. 

Christensen encouraged students to set limits on how much time they spend on social media, texting, and video games. To people who might worry about what others think he said, “We respect someone who takes a stand… remember – if we don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything!” 

To go along with this principle, he shared an experience where he gave up a full-ride scholarship to serve a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

When he returned, he used his Italian fluency to test out of many classes and then was granted a law school scholarship. While in law school he was hit by a drunk driver decimating his top 20 percent law school status. Christensen shared how he covenanted with the Lord to never study on the Sabbath and by graduation he had returned to the top 20% with nearly perfect A’s. 

Serving in South Africa

In his interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Christensen shared his humanitarian experience in South Africa teaching children in Zulu tribes how to use computers. 

“They would watch the computer and learn what PowerPoint was or something very simple and watching them cry they would say ‘this is going to change my life, this is going to make me aware of what is going on outside of my little village,’” he said. 

To try to learn how to best use technology today and not to take it for granted Christensen said the Lord told him about his video game usage. 

“It’s not about just being a stress relief for you. When you make something idle, an idol then it is too much,” he said. 

J.O.Y.

He shared in his devotional address that innovations can bring joy but also that J.O.Y. stands for Jesus, Others, and then Yourself. 

To help students use technology in ways to bring joy he invited students to become a “Media-nary.” Someone who can set aside some time every day to share the news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Listen to his interview with BYU-Idaho Radio below.