Dedicated Books of Scripture

In a priesthood executive committee meeting a few months ago (one of the last), some brothers of the Church discussed ways to help the young men our ward.  One, who has had more years of experience, spoke about a previous responsibility with youth in which all young mean were instructed to bring their scriptures with them to quorum meetings, and then to also bring with them a copy of the manual used for missionary instruction.

Another brother, who is currently called to work with young men, said that he couldn't ask them to bring paper scriptures because he didn't do that himself.  He only kept scriptures in electronic form, on his phone.

Admittedly, I sided more internally with the first brother, and it felt kind of wrong for someone to suggest or imply that electronic scriptures were equivalent to paper copies.  I had to think about it, though, in order to try to determine if there really was a difference or if it only amounted to personal custom and preference.

What difference is there?  Some of the positive aspects of electronic scriptures are the convenience and the ability to carry markings with us wherever we are and whatever device we're on.  Having access to scriptures through small devices that we're already carrying is a great advantage for any of us.

But one fundamental difference in paper versus phones is the inherent purpose.  Mobile phones are small but powerful computers that are capable of running a variety of programs, whereas paper scriptures are nothing more than that.  On one hand, Church members have many times been distracted by messaging, social media, games, or other things that their phones provide when they should be dedicating their time and attention (and their spirits) to matters at hand, such as teachers, speakers in a sacrament meeting, or even the sacrament itself.  Even when people use their devices in truly appropriate ways, there's also the problem of appearance; were I to use my phone in a sacrament meeting for something like looking up a scripture, a young man or young woman or even older folk might see me and assume or wonder if I was distracted.  There's just something about seeing a person staring at a phone that is unmistakably lame.  But there's more to it than just distraction and appearances.  I think there's great value in simply possessing and using objects that are totally dedicated to one purpose.  When I bring my scriptures in their case, to various church meetings, I know that I'm doing something that I, strictly speaking, don't need to do.  I could take an easier route and leave them home, knowing that I have identical content in my phone, but I'm not looking for the easy route.  A phone itself exists for communication, and smart phones now have a variety of purposes but they almost all involve communication, Internet usage, entertainment, or other non-spiritual pursuits.  Scripture study is likely an afterthought for most phone users because it's not the reason they have the phone in the first place.  Paper scriptures, on the other hand, sitting perpetually on a table or desk in my living room or near my bed, provide a constant visual reminder that I should be studying God's written word.

I think that electronic highlighting also just doesn't feel as personal.  Maybe others feel differently.

Of course many people are using electronic copies of the scriptures for good purposes these days.  I use them myself, frequently.  Electronic availability of scripture is a modern day marvel and allows for access to scripture by anyone.  But even so, I find that there is unmatched value in possessing traditional books of scripture that is printed on paper.  It's not my place to poorly judge anyone for their own scripture study practices; I don't have the wisdom to make that kind of judgment anyway.  But as for me and my house, we'll always have paper.

Last thoughts for now:
When anyone studies scripture, learns from it, and grows closer to the Spirit of God by doing so, they'll receive lasting benefit, regardless of their preferred form of access.  But there is value in the dedicated, printed word of God found on paper scriptures.  I'll use electronic versions when needed, but I'll go to the expense and effort of keeping printed books for my personal study and general reference.