3. Learn and Improve

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Mormon abridging plates

As you work to follow the safeguards, learn from your experience. To learn and improve is to repent, which brings you closer to Christ as you apply His Atonement. As you turn to Him, He will help you improve. He has promised, “If [my children] come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. … My grace is sufficient for all [those] that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27). God will help you learn from and improve on your previous mistakes so that you gain strength over your weaknesses. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, God forgives and forgets those past mistakes.

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two sister missionaries looking at phones

When you find yourself being tempted to misuse technology, you can learn from your experience by paying attention to the choices you make and the results that come from them. Record your experiences and feelings in your journal. Learn to recognize patterns in your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that make it difficult for you to use technology righteously. You can avoid temptation by avoiding these patterns. For example, you may find yourself more likely to get distracted on your device when you don’t have meaningful and specific plans for the day. By choosing to always plan meaningful activities, you are less likely to be distracted on your device.

Companions and mission leaders will also help you learn and improve. Remember, while the adversary uses secrecy and isolation to lead people into darkness, the Lord encourages us to seek light through honesty and truth. Building strong, righteous relationships with your companions and district members is one of your best protections and allows you to form a culture of righteous and purposeful behavior.