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in Kathleen Lubeck's Ensign article, The Church and Computers: Using Tools the Lord Has Provided, she lists numerous benefits to the church provided by computers. She wrote the article in 1984, just when personal computers were entering the scene in earnest. She showed almost everything about using computer technology to be a good thing, but a concern emerged from some Dean R. Cannon, then managing director of the Church’s Information Systems Department. He said that “Too much dependence on computers can cause a person to be less receptive to the promptings of the Spirit...If a priesthood leader relies too heavily on computerized information at his fingertips, there’s a danger that he might not realize when an individual has a problem and needs help. " What? Computers somehow decreasing your ability to be guided by the Holy Ghost? It might sound silly, but by eliminating all the hassle of communication between two people, the more you get exactly what you asked for, and the less you get any other information. Convenience and efficiency can hide unsolicited cues that share a person's situation with you—things you'd notice if you met with them in person. Getting hyper-focused on getting the information processed can leave out these little reminders to respond to people's unspoken needs and the promptings of the Spirit. Advertisers understand
this principle as applied to entertainment and merchandise. When you search the Internet or rent a movie from Netflix, they know there's more to your story, so they try to find out more about you and even make suggestions, like "You may also like Toy Story 2." The key here is remembering that the information you think to request is never enough. To magnify your calling you have to give opportunities for accidental information and spiritual promptings by meeting and mingling with people. "Got that report from Bro. Brown? You may also like to know how Bro. Brown's family is doing, and why Bro. Brown looks so tired lately."