We encourage our youth in every country to get an education.
Even if at times it seems hopeless. With determination and faith in the Lord,
you will be blessed with success. It is a dream well worth pursuing.
The Lord said:
“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light
and truth.
We are counseled to “seek … diligently and teach one another
words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek
learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C
88:118.)
The words study and faith each
portray a type of education. First, we are commanded to “teach one another
the doctrine of the kingdom.
“Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you
may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the
law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God.” (D&C
88:77–78.)
And we are also “to obtain a knowledge of history, and of
countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the
salvation of Zion.” (D&C
93:53; see also D&C
88:79.)
-Boyd K. Packer “To Be Learned is Good if…”
I have valued my secular education as long as I could
remember. It was important for my mom and it soon became very important to me.
I have recently graduated from college and as I ponder on a blessing I once
received to obtain as much education that I can, I wondered how I could expand
my learning without going to a school. I realized, through this pondering and
sitting in my gospel doctrines class, that I didn’t understand the scriptures
as much as I could if it were taught in a college classroom. I haven’t
fervently studied the scriptures and applied them in my life as I would a
concept I learned from school. I don’t study the doctrines like my salvation
depends on it. So I realized that the blessing to obtain as much education that
I can applies to a learning that surpasses all knowledge found on earth—it is
the knowledge of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ taught through the power
of the Holy Ghost. It is the knowledge of Their plan for my life—the Plan of
Salvation.
I encourage not only myself, but to all the readers to
diligently study the scriptures and pray with faith, to really learn of God,
and to build your testimony that He has a plan for you here on earth.
We are told to "feast upon the words of Christ". I remember hearing a lesson about that. The instructor said when we feast, like at Thanksgiving, we plan. It's not just a meal, we prepare with care. We usually make a menu and pick the very best ingredients. When we study our scriptures, we should plan and prepare like it's a feast, putting thought into what we are doing. I can't say that I've mastered this, but I do know it's important. When we take the time to really prepare ourselves spiritually, we will receive the revelation and answers we are seeking.
ReplyDeleteWow, I have never really thought of it that way. Thank you! now I can try and better my study habits this way.
DeleteOne of my favorite scriptures is the following, which is found in section 130 of the Doctrine and Covenants:
ReplyDelete18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
I am grateful for the secular knowledge I'm gaining in school, as well as the spiritual knowledge I'm acquiring through weekly church attendance. Both types of knowledge go hand-in-hand and strengthen one another.
I also really love those scriptures. Education, both spiritual and secular, is one of the only things that we will take with us into the next life. We won't be able to bring any of our material possessions, but we will be able to continue our relationships with our families and bring our knowledge that we have gained on the earth. That can remind us of how important family relationships and education are.
DeleteI also echo the same message conveyed through this post, that my education has been so key in understanding not only a worldly view, but also a spiritual view of things that are true in this life. These key principles and concepts are essential in progressing through life to influence those around us of the love God has for us and the amazing plan we chose to follow.
ReplyDelete