eldermurray wrote:I once volunteered to read a scripture in Sunday school and afterward the teacher told me that they'd prefer I not volunteer to read unless I'm going to read from "the scriptures." (the paper ones)
Also a year ago when I was in the Stake YM presidency, we were asked to use our paper scriptures around the young men because we needed to "set an example" for them. Because apparently if a young man catches me reading the scriptures on a tablet, that I'm not being a good example?
I would request private time with that teacher to demonstrate that the Gospel Library *is* the scriptures - and try to do that in a non-confrontational way; and encourage them to read along with me, to see that what I'm reading when I volunteer matches their paper. And I would NOT stop volunteering. I would ask the YM presidency to explain in detail what their concerns were. I wouldn't go against their wishes, but I would request further understanding. (I imagine they're worried the youth would think *you* were gaming or whatever; if that's the case, it's easy to _show_ the youth you're not...)Here follow some thoughts / ideas.
When I started teaching youth Sunday School, almost 2 years ago, no one gave me instruction one way or the other about paper vs. electronic, but all the youth in my class were bringing paper and I assumed they'd been told not to use their phones. I discussed this with my brother who was already teaching a youth class. Not only did he use electronic as teacher (and his students if they wanted), but he got all their cell numbers and would send them humorous reminders throughout the week to study the lesson and carry out invitations to act on what they'd discussed the previous Sunday. We both felt that unless they're taught to use electronic devices for spiritual purposes, they'll think of the device as for everything else, which won't help them avoid its less-worthy uses. (I mean, if your device screen has all these LDS app icons all over it, isn't that going to make you think twice about using it for less-worthy activities - at least until you're too far gone to care?)
So I used one of our lessons for teaching the youth how to use their electronic devices in class (including pulling up the lesson and following links to the material we were going to read). We then told the students they could use their devices or paper, as they wished. Some use only electronic, some prefer paper most of the time, some alternate (why, I don't know or care). Two have had troubles not using their devices for games - the other teacher and I (and one of their peers - of his own volition) have found ways to encourage using the Gospel Library instead.
In late 2014 when I saw the recommendation that people use electronic resources, but that we had never had training (and needed it), I discussed this with the bishop. He discussed it with the Ward Council and asked me to teach a class (after hours on a Sunday evening). Turn-out was huge (we hyped it, and clearly people *wanted* to know how to make the most of the Gospel Library). We spent about 1.5 hours and the people who spoke to me after said they learned a lot from it. Perhaps you should discuss this with your bishop - his endorsement via official ward activity might dispel the false ideas of others (unless he agrees with them, in which case, I recommend prayer).
FWIW,
Liz
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