Church Etiquette
 New technologies, especially mobile devices, are becoming
ubiquitous.
 Most Church buildings have Wi-Fi that allow internet
connectivity during services.
 The Church encourages use of this new technology.
HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH THIS NEW CAPABILITY?
Church Etiquette
 What is okay?
 Using Gospel Library to read scriptures or
manuals?
 What is not okay?
 Anything else? What about hymns? What
about Ensign?
Church Etiquette
Sacrament Meeting is the crucial time.
How do we feel about others engaged in
these activities during the meeting?
 Texting?
 Surfing the web?
 Playing Angry Birds?
 Not putting phone on silent (not vibrate)
PURPOSES OF SACRAMENT MEETING
 Each sacrament meeting should be a spiritual experience in
which members of the Church renew their covenants by
partaking of the sacrament.
 Other purposes of sacrament meeting are to worship,
provide gospel instruction, perform ordinances, conduct
ward business, and strengthen faith and testimony.
I PERSONALLY RECOMMEND THAT WE SHOULD NOT
ENGAGE IN ANY ACTIVITIY THAT DESTRACTS FROM THESE
OBJECTIVES.
PERSONAL OBSERVATION
…how distracting it was to be passing the sacrament to
those who were busy using their phones, or to be sitting
behind or next to someone in Sunday School who was
using their phone to do stuff other than follow the
teacher. Even if it didn't distract them, or if they didn't
care to participate, it still affected those around them. I
suggested that if one didn't have the self control to pay
attention at church, they were probably better off leaving
it at home. I tried to emphasize that their use of their
phone/tablet during church could either very helpful or
very hurtful.
AN ALTERNATE THOUGHT…
 Is it OK to let children work in a coloring book
but not play a game on a mobile device?
 What if the device in on silent?
 What if it is the Coloring Game from lds.org?
http://www.lds.org/friend/online-activities/activities/coloring?lang=eng
SUMMARY
 There is no set of established rules.
 We should use common courtesy and
discipline.
 We should train children to do the same.
Questions?