The Blessing of a Shattered Screen

By Lauren Palmer-Merrill

Utah, USA

While waiting for an endowment session in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, I picked up a copy of the Book of Mormon and read for about 45 minutes. It struck me how slowly time passed and how peaceful time spent in the temple can be.

I realized that much of that peace likely came from my smartphone being locked away. Then I received a prompting from the Spirit—if I cut my phone usage by half each day, I could easily find time to ponder the scriptures and feel the same peace I enjoyed that day. I made a commitment to spend less time on my phone and more time reading the scriptures.

Several weeks later, my smartphone was still a permanent fixture in my life. I always made an excuse to check my messages. I regularly gave in to the irresistible call of social media feeds. So, when I accidentally dropped my phone and the screen completely shattered, I was surprised that I felt relieved. Since the prompting I had received in the temple, I felt lingering guilt when I couldn’t go 30 minutes without aimlessly scrolling through applications. I decided that this was my chance to upgrade my life by downgrading my phone.

I went through the whole weekend and beyond without replacing my phone. I knew I’d eventually need a simple phone for calls and text messages, but I began to notice several positive changes in my life: I was more tuned in to my daughter; my conversations with other people became more meaningful; my mind felt clearer; I took time to play with my dogs; and I began to notice the sunlight filtering through the aspen leaves in my backyard. I began paying more attention to everything! I also felt closer to the Spirit.

I’m not suggesting that we shun the marvelous technologies available to us. The gospel of Jesus Christ is able to reach many people through the internet. But I’ve learned through experience that most of the time spent on my phone did little to bring me closer to the Lord or to my family. I feel that I now have more balance and control in my life. I’m grateful for the prompting I received in the temple and for the happy accident of a shattered screen.