Isn't it funny how 50% of the population refused to vote for a Mormon as President of the United States of America; and many will refuse to allow those young men - you know the ones - they ride bicycles, wear white shirts and nametags, and look too young to shave - into their home? Yet at the same time, how many of these same citizens WILL allow a Mormon's invention into their home? More than one even! Not only will they allow it in their home, they give it a prominent place in the living room, and all of their furniture faces it. They spend countless hours in front of it, being "entertained". Yes, that's right, I am talking about the television! Philo T. Farnsworth, a Mormon, invented the "boob tube" and demonstrated the first working model on September 7, 1927.
Although he was paid royalties by RCA, who purchased his patent, Farnsworth never became wealthy from his invention. That is a sad irony in itself, when you think of the billions of dollars spent annually on TV ads alone!
Farnsworth claimed he invented the television for educational purposes, and after it became widely popular, his son Kent claims his Dad stated "There's nothing on it worthwhile, and we're not going to watch it in this household, and I don't want it in your intellectual diet." This statement does conform with how Latter Day Saints try to be selective with their entertainment, by consuming media that "inviteth and enticeth to do good" and by avoiding media "that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way" or that "presents immorality or viloence as acceptable." That is because what we see, hear, and read influences what we desire, and therefore, how we act. Many Latter-Day Saint families have developed a policy of not watching any movies rated "R". Philo Farnsworth passed away in 1971, and if he was repulsed by what he saw in TV in the 1950's, can you imagine how he would feel if he turned on his invention today???
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