I ordered lightroom because it was reportedly easy to use. It doesn't even recognize the camera. So if I have to use another program, why do I neexd lightroom?

Yes, that should work, so let’s figure out why it’s not working for you.

For a start, which operating system are you using? And which Lightroom version?

And then which camera are you using, and how are you trying to connect it to Lightroom? If you’re on a desktop computer, does the operating system find the camera ok? Is the camera turned on? What happens when you try?