Internet Access and a Piece of Plain Paper

In the age of the internet we have become used to, and anxious for, the product of speed in our service subscription for information. We have the privilege of free email and the ability to pay most of our bills online. High speed internet has truly revolutionized the way we take care of business in the modern world – corporate and domestic. It has redefined the word “service” as speed is an essential aspect of our transactions. Has this always been so? It wasn't long ago that we were amazed with the premiere of dial-up internet access into our homes. It was cool! Color, graphics and email! Eventually, dial-up became a thorn and a hindrance as high speed eclipsed the incredibly slow dial-up access. Even today many dial-up services are free to subscribers because of the low quality and demand for the said service.

So – what was before dial-up? What took place before we paid our bills online or surfed the information superhighway with our hair wind blown back? Was it not the written word? It is so new, our absence from writing, in comparison to the thousands of years of the written power of thought. Scores of evidence is shown of cave and wall paintings depicting sacred beliefs, events and culture. For very few centuries now, we have been discovering records in caves, tombs and even underground - that are character chiseled on metal plates. Among these are the records of King Darius and even the famed Book of Mormon of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are records written on parchments as were found in Qumran, Egyptian catacombs, caves of Israel and many other places.

For the past few hundred years we have made the written word commonplace on paper. It has been the means of recording dreams, ideas, laws, hopes, events and even desperation. Through this mode we have the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and unnumbered defining documents around the world. We, thanks to the postal service, communicated with friends and family through the written letter. It used to be a joy to sit down with your thoughts and only a pen and paper as your company. Through this we were able to express our true selves to others as well as be privileged to keep a journal or diary.

These journals and diaries are vital to our knowledge and understanding of the past. Through these we are able to peer into the hearts and minds of the Founding Fathers. Through these we are able to see the plight of man of the Mormon exodus and migration from their expulsion from Nauvoo, Illinois to the Great Salt Lake Valley in the mid 1800's. Through these we walk with Lewis and Clark on their Expedition. Through these we see the simple life and destruction of the prairie life for the Native Americans. All these are from the written word.

Is it so different from today? Perhaps there are more people expressing the word due to the ease of typing. The speed at which we can correct a mistake and improve grammar is unparalleled against the written word. Although we are able to express ideas through the keyboard this author has often found a level of depth missing in comparison to seeing written words. When studying old documents and personal writings of people, everyone has their own characteristics and forms of writing. This is always exhibited in letter writing and brings a depth of reality to the writer that is often gone unrealized via the keyboard. Especially when observing journal entries of people expressing certain events or beliefs. Often you can physically see the magnitude of emotion and heartfelt belief in those words by the writer according to exactly how the words are written.

This author would like to extend and invitation to all who reads this article. An invitation to establish the discipline of setting aside a few minutes each week to power down the computer, turn off the television and silence the radio. Perhaps even muting the telephone. Take that time with your own thoughts to produce the written word. Keep a journal of your joys and sorrows. For those who have children this will, in time, become a treasure to them. Extend the hand of communication to family and friends as you write a letter to them. Postage is not cheap these days and email is free, so far, but keep in touch with the gift of writing words on paper and pony up the expense now and then to place a stamp on an envelope and sending it off. This author promises a greater sense of fulfillment as you keep this art grounded within your heart and mind.

Because of the age of high speed many of us may not have envelopes readily available. Those we have are usually outgoing bill payments. Because of this – out of sincere concern and love for the readers this author has included instructions to create your own envelopes. A bit archaic but is fun and sufficient nonetheless. Got a sheet of paper? Good, because that's all you need. Enjoy the envelope and enjoy your new found appreciation of the written word!