Elder Bednar talks tech at Silicon Slopes Summit

The Apostle sat down with Qualtrics co-founder Ryan Smith for a question-and-answer session that touched on topics from education to finances

By Kaitlyn Bancroft Sept 29, 2023 9:23 p.m. EDT

Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with Qualtrics cofounder and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith during a question-and-answer session at the eighth annual Silicon Slopes Summit at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

Elder Bednar talks tech at Silicon Slopes Summit

The Apostle sat down with Qualtrics co-founder Ryan Smith for a question-and-answer session that touched on topics from education to finances

By Kaitlyn Bancroft Sept 29, 2023 9:23 p.m. EDT

General conference weekend is fast approaching, but before The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addresses the world, one Apostle spoke to the tech community.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles participated Thursday, Sept. 28, in the eighth annual Silicon Slopes Summit in Salt Lake City.

The conference features technology and business leaders sharing the latest innovations in areas like artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and more.

Qualtrics cofounder and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith sat down with Elder Bednar on a stage in the Delta Center for a question-and-answer session that touched on topics from technology’s role in the Church to how the Church uses its finances.

Prior to the Silicon Slopes Summit, Elder Bednar posted a video on social media in which he shared why he chose to participate.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to talk about ways the Church of Jesus Christ builds relationships, uses technology and fosters communication to bless lives across the globe,” he said in the video. “For me, this is an exciting opportunity to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ and His restored Church.”

Tomorrow, I am participating in the Silicon Slopes Summit—a large tech and business event—in Salt Lake City, Utah. For me, this is an exciting opportunity to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ and His restored Church. I’ll be sure to share updates from the event soon. pic.twitter.com/jPPth16PHl
— David A. Bednar (@BednarDavidA) September 27, 2023

Education and administration

Smith first asked Elder Bednar to talk about his educational and professional background, which included time as a professor at the University of Arkansas and later as president of then-Ricks College, now BYU–Idaho.

Elder Bednar said education is the key that opens the door to growth and opportunity. Education does not refer only to formal schooling, rather, true education is “learning to love learning. ... [When] you love learning how to learn, you enter exciting and uncharted territory.”

He also said that in a worldwide Church, education should not be offered only at a few brick-and-mortar locations. BYU–Pathway Worldwide, which provides online educational opportunities, is an important educational resource for many people.

“We are excited about people all over the world having the opportunity to gain an education and learn how to learn, so they can bless their own lives and the lives of their families,” Elder Bednar said.

Future innovation

When he looks ahead, Elder Bednar sees a bright future for technology in Utah, especially as the Church helps create a climate where innovation can flourish.

People sometimes think Church leaders are uninformed about world issues, including technology, he continued; but “we have many opportunities to learn from the best experts in the world about artificial intelligence and the latest technological innovations,” he said. “A lot of that is happening here in Utah.”

Church finances and politics

Smith also asked Elder Bednar to address criticism the Church sometimes receives for how it saves and spends money.

Elder Bednar said the Church has four overarching responsibilities: helping people learn about and live the teachings of Jesus Christ; sharing that message with the world; strengthening and uniting families; and caring for the poor and needy.

With those objectives in mind, Elder Bednar asked critics to consider that the Church’s assets are primarily income-consuming rather than income-producing.

For instance, the Church pays for its almost 20,000 meetinghouses and authorized facilities around the world. Utilities and maintenance costs are covered by tithes paid by members. The same is true of the Church’s temples.

“You do not have to be an accountant to figure out those are some big dollars,” Elder Bednar said.

He also referenced the Old Testament story of Joseph building up massive storages of grain over seven years in preparation for the seven years of famine that followed.

The Church’s reserves, then, are “necessary to maintain the mission of the Church, which is to bless the lives of individuals and families. ... It would be imprudent and unwise not to have a reserve.”

Smith then asked Elder Bednar to address the current state of politics. After emphasizing the Church’s neutral political stance, Elder Bednar said people are increasingly gravitating towards extremes.

That is why it is important to heed President Russell M. Nelson’s call for peacemaking, Elder Bednar said. And President Nelson does more than just preach about civility — he practices it.

“In five and a half years, his outreach to the [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People] has been stunning,” Elder Bednar said, noting the peace prize that Morehouse College, a historically Black school in Atlanta, Georgia, recently awarded President Nelson.

Another example is how the Church worked with the LGBTQ+ community on what eventually became the Fairness for All legislation in Utah and the Respect for Marriage Act in the United States.

“You would not think The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the LGBTQ community could ever talk to each other. We did,” Elder Bednar said. “... So, if we stop yelling long enough to listen, I think we can work some things out.”

Attendees listen as Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with Qualtrics cofounder and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith during a question-and-answer session at the eighth annual Silicon Slopes Summit at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.