Refusing To Do The 10-Day Social Media Fast

[Calm]

1 minute ago, mfbukowski said:

Sorry to hear that- you are in my prayers.

Thank you, I have just gotten to the age that taking it easy isn't enough to heal apparently.  If I had gotten to the doctor first thing it probably wouldn't have been a big deal, but getting in the car makes it worse so I put off doing it until it was obvious it was getting worse no matter what.  What I really need to do is start hitting the warm therapy pool they have, best exercise I ever did (Canada had one I could walk to, boy do I miss that.).  We even set up a 8 ft round, 2 ft deep stock tank as a 'swimming pool' this summer and for a week, it was heavenly (I can horizontally jog and stretch with no pain or setting off the little body quirks weight bearing exercise causes), but the smoke from the fires kept me inside, so that will be something for next year instead.  The city next door just renovated their community center and their pool is only a 15 minute drive, so there are options, I just hate trying new things when it comes to going out in public (sometimes being an introvert is not a good thing).

[mfbukowski]

15 minutes ago, Calm said:

Thank you, I have just gotten to the age that taking it easy isn't enough to heal apparently.  If I had gotten to the doctor first thing it probably wouldn't have been a big deal, but getting in the car makes it worse so I put off doing it until it was obvious it was getting worse no matter what.  What I really need to do is start hitting the warm therapy pool they have, best exercise I ever did (Canada had one I could walk to, boy do I miss that.).  We even set up a 8 ft round, 2 ft deep stock tank as a 'swimming pool' this summer and for a week, it was heavenly (I can horizontally jog and stretch with no pain or setting off the little body quirks weight bearing exercise causes), but the smoke from the fires kept me inside, so that will be something for next year instead.  The city next door just renovated their community center and their pool is only a 15 minute drive, so there are options, I just hate trying new things when it comes to going out in public (sometimes being an introvert is not a good thing).

I get it.  I have sciatica which is tons of fun when it acts up.

Pretty lucky you were that close to the only pool in Canada.  But when you heat your pool in the future it is probably safer not to do it over a fire. 

(Sorry I couldn't resist it.....)   😍

[Thinking]

Wrong thread.

Edited October 9, 2018 by Thinking

[Tacenda]

27 minutes ago, Calm said:

Thank you, I have just gotten to the age that taking it easy isn't enough to heal apparently.  If I had gotten to the doctor first thing it probably wouldn't have been a big deal, but getting in the car makes it worse so I put off doing it until it was obvious it was getting worse no matter what.  What I really need to do is start hitting the warm therapy pool they have, best exercise I ever did (Canada had one I could walk to, boy do I miss that.).  We even set up a 8 ft round, 2 ft deep stock tank as a 'swimming pool' this summer and for a week, it was heavenly (I can horizontally jog and stretch with no pain or setting off the little body quirks weight bearing exercise causes), but the smoke from the fires kept me inside, so that will be something for next year instead.  The city next door just renovated their community center and their pool is only a 15 minute drive, so there are options, I just hate trying new things when it comes to going out in public (sometimes being an introvert is not a good thing).

http://fitmaxipool.com/shop/therapy-pool-heater/

http://fitmaxipool.com/shop/ipool-d-ipool-plus-heater/?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgOzdBRDlARIsAJ6_HNlNBweMLxyNJT83O_C0D1eGgJdG_wqYwpO379iK6ZRjBrs0-GDZockaAg6ZEALw_wcB

These look interesting. 

[Calm]

They do.  

But our hard wall throw almost anywhere in the back yard stock pool cost $300 iirc and another $300 for saltwater filter and pump so I don't have to worry about chemicals or punctures.  We do plan to get a heater next year to extend the use, but most of summer, an inexpensive covers keeps it quite comfy.  I just put two pool noodles under me to float and it works great.

Maybe when I am rich and famous and can  pay someone to take care of it for me, I will go that route.

[The Nehor]

6 hours ago, MorningStar said:

He won't be laughing in April when maybe the men will be challenged to go 10 days without videos games. Hahahahahaha. Well, I don't know if your husband plays them, but a lot of men do. 

Why can’t they challenge us to do things like “not mow the lawn”?

[Hamba Tuhan]

7 hours ago, MorningStar said:

He won't be laughing in April when maybe the men will be challenged to go 10 days without videos games.

Bring it on! (Says the man who doesn't even own a television ...)

[MiserereNobis]

6 hours ago, Anon the Great said:

I don't believe in organized religions because the kingdom of God is built on a circle of community with a square of equality inside it, as indicated in Rev 21.  (sphere and cube)  Lucifer's kingdom is built on a pyramid inside the circle of unity.  This is way off topic, but you can create another thread if you want to discuss it further, and we can discuss the big mistake of the first 12 apostles in the first century. 

Poster removed

He annoyed me at first, but now I look at him like Vladimir or Estragon. 

[RevTestament]

5 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

He annoyed me at first, but now I look at him like Vladimir or Estragon. 

You are more gracious than I. I didn't even bother after his first 2 posts he was so far out of left field I put him on mental ignore...

[Royce]

13 hours ago, ALarson said:

I was just talking to my son about conference and he told me his wife and a large group of women in their ward are refusing to participate in the 10-day fast and feel it's horrible that only the women were asked to do this.  I was pretty shocked to hear this because my daughter-in-law is in the YW's presidency and is very active in the ward.  My son told me that there are other groups of women choosing not to do the fast in his area as well (according to his wife).  And....they are posting more than their usual instagram posts and facebook posts, etc., starting today in protest.

It's the sort of thing an octogenarian would think is important.

[The Nehor]

6 hours ago, Anon the Great said:

You have misunderstood my post.  The women are operating under the paradigm of collecting money to use to help others by charitable contributions of money, and they are implementing the details very well with that paradigm created by men..  The paradigm of setting up non-profit organization to collect money was established by men, not women, and they are using the paradigms of men to implement the details excellently.  As you fast for 10 days  and study the paradigms of God in the Ten Commands, the Holy Spirit may rearrange your heart/spirit to find more peace than you have ever known in your whole life.  I have no idea what He will teach you, but every woman will learn some new truth that will release them into freedom of thought, including gays, drug addicts, chain smokers, coffee drinkers, and even harlots trying to pay the bills, for these things are *not* sins. Jesus said, "If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." 

The truth is revealed by Spirit to spirit on the inside by the light of God's grace through faith, and the real brilliant ideas are communicated by light, not words, and not by dramatic visions, outer revelations to the flesh, or audible voices on the outside.  Yahweh lives inside us. LDS and Christians don't even know what the message of Jesus is: "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) His message was not about love alone, for love is red and is just part of white light grace.  The blue is truth.  Yellow is God's will.  These are the three primary ideas within God's white light of grace, and he gives us physical light to comprehend the spiritual light inside us.

Seriously, get help. Your word salad reads like someone in the middle of a psychotic break.

[Avatar4321]

12 hours ago, Jeanne said:

Heya......does this mean I will be the only woman posting on here??????  Are you guys ready for this????😵

Nooooooooo!

 

jk

[Avatar4321]

8 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Why can’t they challenge us to do things like “not mow the lawn”?

Because you already are a pro at that;)

[BlueDreams]

10 hours ago, sunstoned said:

I think it is just silly. Things like this lead me to believe that the leadership is out of touch.  People connect through social media.  Please support each other through social media.  People stay in touch through social media.  A ten day social media fast is about as silly as asking president Nelson to take a ten day telephone fast.

I don't think so. I've worked with a number of people where social media was driving a lowered sense of self worth, high comparison, and disconnection in closer relationships (like with their spouse...I have had to facillitate them curtailing media use to increase the whoopy and general togetherness time far more than once). It doesn't necessarily effect all of them in said way, just a significant number for it to be a pattern. There's growing amount of studies that link social media use to anxiety and depression and a reduce sense of satisfaction in ones life. People connect through social media, yes, but it's often in less deep and meaningful ways than you would in person (obviously there's exceptions). There has also been reports and research that indicate a growing amount of loneliness in younger generations, especially. I, as a millennial, have been super cautious about social media cuz it seemed like a waste of time. To this day I only have facebook and I rarely post. But I have more time for things that I love, I feel lucky to say I have a number of deep and meaningful friendships that if I needed something, I know I could call them for help. A lot in my generation often can't say the same. That said, I plan to take a fast soon on other forms of media that aren't necessarily bad, but have become time fillers to other activities I get more satisfaction from (like painting or reading) and need a little more time for anyways.

So no, I don't think it's silly. Social media is good...in moderation. And I think a lot of us, especially younger generations, have been prone to it taking over their lives.

 

With luv,

BD   

[bluebell]

11 hours ago, sunstoned said:

I think it is just silly. Things like this lead me to believe that the leadership is out of touch.  People connect through social media.  Please support each other through social media.  People stay in touch through social media.  A ten day social media fast is about as silly as asking president Nelson to take a ten day telephone fast.

People need food to live, eat food to socialize and celebrate, must cook food for children and those in need.  Food literally keeps us alive and unites our society.  And our leaders know all of that.  They completely and fully understand all of the good that food accomplishes in our lives and in the world. Yet, our leaders still ask us to fast from food regularly, because fasting, despite our (logical) dependance on food, is actually good for us.  I don't see why the same can't be true for social media.  And I also don't see why asking someone to fast from social media means that they are out of touch with what social media is or accomplishes in the world.  

Members of the church in earlier centuries were asked to suffer through so much.  They were asked to do things that resulted in the death of loved ones and abject poverty.  They were asked to sacrifice homes, belongings, comforts, time, even dishes.  They were asked to live polygamy and the law of consecration.

But our leaders ask us to go 10 days without social media and people are angry!  People are actually protesting!  They're saying it's not fair.  That it's too much to ask.  That if our leaders actually knew what they were asking, if they were actually inspired and lead by God, they would never ask anyone to sacrifice social media for 10 days.   

It's a little bit embarrassing to see just how little we, as a people, are willing to sacrifice for our beliefs now (and that a prophet leads God's church is one of our beliefs).  It's a little embarrassing to see how far we've fallen (and I include myself in that).

[ksfisher]

7 hours ago, Royce said:

It's the sort of thing an octogenarian would think is important.

Are you not aware of the negative effects of social media on people?

https://sites.psu.edu/aspsy/2015/11/16/social-media-and-the-negative-impact-on-individuals/

http://www.technocrazed.com/top-10-negative-effects-of-social-media-on-children-and-teenagers

https://sites.ewu.edu/cmst496-stafford/2012/06/06/the-effects-of-social-media-on-children/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/#361dbc872e5a

https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/social-medias-impact-on-self-esteem_us_58ade038e4b0d818c4f0a4e4

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792691/

Sounds like good advice from an octogenarian.

[ksfisher]

11 hours ago, sunstoned said:

I think it is just silly. Things like this lead me to believe that the leadership is out of touch.  People connect through social media.  Please support each other through social media.  People stay in touch through social media.  A ten day social media fast is about as silly as asking president Nelson to take a ten day telephone fast.

Are you not aware of the negative effects of social media on people?

https://sites.psu.edu/aspsy/2015/11/16/social-media-and-the-negative-impact-on-individuals/

http://www.technocrazed.com/top-10-negative-effects-of-social-media-on-children-and-teenagers

https://sites.ewu.edu/cmst496-stafford/2012/06/06/the-effects-of-social-media-on-children/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/#361dbc872e5a

https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/social-medias-impact-on-self-esteem_us_58ade038e4b0d818c4f0a4e4

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792691/

etc

etc

etc

[HappyJackWagon]

I chuckle every time I see someone posting on Social Media about how they are going on a social media fast. Some times they even announce the exceptions to their fast. I had one friend state that she would still check in to her Mormon/Mommy blog so people could contact her there. Another asked people to contact her through FB Messenger. Another stated she would still make her daily FB "author" post about the new book she is writing. It's cracking me up.

Funny, sad, silly.

Getting caught up in the thick of thin things  

[The Mean Farmer]

Just for the record. 

When the youth were asked to fast for 7 days from social media I happily fasted with them and expected that the Lord would bless me in the same fashion.  I believe he did.

When the women were asked to fast for 10 days from social media I happily started a fast with them and expect that the Lord will bless me in the same fashion as the women.  

When the Men are asked to abstain from porn, video games, and social media in the Spring I will happily do that fast as well.

 

It is obvious that LOTS of people are 'addicted' to electronic devices and social media and it is part of most people lives in some fashion.   For a short, defined period it isn't hard to TRY the advice given from the man I believe to be a PROPHET of Almighty GOD and SEE what blessings are there for me TRYING to obey his advice.  

 

This is about the easiest ask the Prophet can give us,  I would encourage everyone to try an experiment on the word as Alma taught.  Fast from social media, use the freed up time to focus on other 'wholesome' things, and see what changes or differences it can make.

 

As stated eloquently before...this isn't the issue to get angry or obstinate about.

 

[HappyJackWagon]

16 minutes ago, The Mean Farmer said:

Just for the record. 

When the youth were asked to fast for 7 days from social media I happily fasted with them and expected that the Lord would bless me in the same fashion.  I believe he did.

When the women were asked to fast for 10 days from social media I happily started a fast with them and expect that the Lord will bless me in the same fashion as the women.  

When the Men are asked to abstain from porn, video games, and social media in the Spring I will happily do that fast as well.

 

It is obvious that LOTS of people are 'addicted' to electronic devices and social media and it is part of most people lives in some fashion.   For a short, defined period it isn't hard to TRY the advice given from the man I believe to be a PROPHET of Almighty GOD and SEE what blessings are there for me TRYING to obey his advice.  

 

This is about the easiest ask the Prophet can give us,  I would encourage everyone to try an experiment on the word as Alma taught.  Fast from social media, use the freed up time to focus on other 'wholesome' things, and see what changes or differences it can make.

 

As stated eloquently before...this isn't the issue to get angry or obstinate about.

 

Until then...GAME ON!?!?!?

[MorningStar]

1 hour ago, bluebell said:

People need food to live, eat food to socialize and celebrate, must cook food for children and those in need.  Food literally keeps us alive and unites our society.  And our leaders know all of that.  They completely and fully understand all of the good that food accomplishes in our lives and in the world. Yet, our leaders still ask us to fast from food regularly, because fasting, despite our (logical) dependance on food, is actually good for us.  I don't see why the same can't be true for social media.  And I also don't see why asking someone to fast from social media means that they are out of touch with what social media is or accomplishes in the world.  

Members of the church in earlier centuries were asked to suffer through so much.  They were asked to do things that resulted in the death of loved ones and abject poverty.  They were asked to sacrifice homes, belongings, comforts, time, even dishes.  They were asked to live polygamy and the law of consecration.

But our leaders ask us to go 10 days without social media and people are angry!  People are actually protesting!  They're saying it's not fair.  That it's too much to ask.  That if our leaders actually knew what they were asking, if they were actually inspired and lead by God, they would never ask anyone to sacrifice social media for 10 days.   

It's a little bit embarrassing to see just how little we, as a people, are willing to sacrifice for our beliefs now (and that a prophet leads God's church is one of our beliefs).  It's a little embarrassing to see how far we've fallen (and I include myself in that).

Yes, social media distracts us from doing the things we truly need. It's fine in moderation, but it's often not used in moderation. We're not being asked to cross the plains - just to get off of FB, Twitter, etc.. For the love. It's embarrassing that Mormon women, I mean The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints women are throwing a fit over it.  

[BlueDreams]

41 minutes ago, The Mean Farmer said:

Just for the record. 

When the youth were asked to fast for 7 days from social media I happily fasted with them and expected that the Lord would bless me in the same fashion.  I believe he did.

When the women were asked to fast for 10 days from social media I happily started a fast with them and expect that the Lord will bless me in the same fashion as the women.  

When the Men are asked to abstain from porn, video games, and social media in the Spring I will happily do that fast as well.

 

It is obvious that LOTS of people are 'addicted' to electronic devices and social media and it is part of most people lives in some fashion.   For a short, defined period it isn't hard to TRY the advice given from the man I believe to be a PROPHET of Almighty GOD and SEE what blessings are there for me TRYING to obey his advice.  

 

This is about the easiest ask the Prophet can give us,  I would encourage everyone to try an experiment on the word as Alma taught.  Fast from social media, use the freed up time to focus on other 'wholesome' things, and see what changes or differences it can make.

 

As stated eloquently before...this isn't the issue to get angry or obstinate about.

 

Your post kinda reminded me of the verses of scriptures that talk about people being asked to do extremely simple things and being turned of by the simplicity. Like Naaman. It’s by simple things, that great things often come to pass. 

I don’t get the uproar over something so simple and innocuous as taking a break from some media for a few days. One that wasn’t even a commandment  but an invitation open to your own discretion as to what may be considered “impure” or whatever else. What’s the harm in just trying it out?

 

with luv, 

BD

 

[stemelbow]

I'm still perplexed why Mormon women are on here condemning other Mormon women who have objected to the directive to fast for their various reasons.  I think we all should happily acknowledge that some women feel marginalized and they have a valuable voice.  These attempts to shut down and fight those people seems counter-productive to me.  My wife always said the biggest obstacle from women getting a seat at the table in Mormonism are other women.  She definitely got tired of the rancor, manipulation, and condescension.  

[Storm Rider]

I wonder if the societal conversation that interprets the context around women being victims, women not being equal, women being abused, women not getting their share, women need to speak up and speak out, women need to demand more, etc., etc., etc. has an effect on all women to always have the perspective for all things. This influence is obviously apparent and strong among women in the Church. 

I appreciate that others here see how outrageously silly it is for anyone, regardless of their gender, to bemoan the simple requests of prophets. 

At a recent family get-together, I recall observing as we all sat together throughout the home, how many individuals were on their phones rather than talking to the people around them. It is just strange how we think that the people on the phone are more important than the people right in front of us. Do I think we need to put the phone down? Absolutely. Do I think the prophet is right to ask any of us to give up social media and be present for the people around us? Yes.  I just wish that my home had a button that would shut down completely the ability for phones to receive social media of any kind. I think it would help humans to relearn how to be better social individuals.

Lastly, I do have to wonder about these women that are complaining; are they really active members of the Church as a whole or are they just individuals who may have had a relationship in the distant past with the Church and are no longer attending church or attempting to live a Christ-centered life?  

[pogi]

1 hour ago, bluebell said:

But our leaders ask us to go 10 days without social media and people are angry!  People are actually protesting!  They're saying it's not fair.  That it's too much to ask.  That if our leaders actually knew what they were asking, if they were actually inspired and lead by God, they would never ask anyone to sacrifice social media for 10 days.   

It's a little bit embarrassing to see just how little we, as a people, are willing to sacrifice for our beliefs now (and that a prophet leads God's church is one of our beliefs).  It's a little embarrassing to see how far we've fallen (and I include myself in that).

Reminds me of a quote by Joseph Smith:

Quote

I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen [see D&C 121:40].

It is a sad reality and a sad commentary how quick the saints will fly to pieces at the invitation from a living prophet to fast from social media for 10 days. 

Edited October 9, 2018 by pogi