Education

As I embarked on this Pathway Program I felt a need to search out some direction for my future. I wanted to be sure that returning to my education this late in the game was the right thing to do. I was comforted as I found that education is important to our Father in Heaven regardless of how old I am or whether or not I intend to pursue a career outside my home. Because I expect earning my bachelor's degree will take many years, I was especially happy to find this quote by Elder Nelson, “Preparation for your career is not too long if you know what you want to do with your life. How old will you be thirteen years from now if you don’t pursue your education? Just as old, whether or not you become what you want to be!” I don't know what career I want to pursue, but I believe it is better for me to start now and figure it out along the way rather than spending thirteen years figuring it out and then starting on my degree.

1.Because of our sacred regard for each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a religious responsibility. . . . Our Creator expects His children everywhere to educate themselves. He issued a commandment: “Seek ye 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.) And He assures us that knowledge acquired here will be ours forever. (See D&C 130:18–19.) Russell M. Nelson “Where is Wisdom?” October 1992

2. “Preparation for your career is not too long if you know what you want to do with your life. How old will you be thirteen years from now if you don’t pursue your education? Just as old, whether or not you become what you want to be!” Russell M. Nelson “Where is Wisdom?” October 1992

3. In approaching any field of learning, remember the Lord’s direction to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118.) Your faith will sustain you and give added meaning and increased accomplishment to your secular studies if you will live to deserve the blessings of the Lord. Dallin H. Oaks “Strive For Excellence” October 1971

4. There I could finally sit at a desk—by myself—and drink in the information and knowledge that books provide. How I loved to read and learn! In those days I understood firsthand the words of an old saying: Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire.

For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment. We are to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf “Two principles for any Economy” October 2009

5. Education has, of necessity, become a lifelong pursuit. We must, in our scheduling of time, allot sufficient time to educate ourselves for now and for the future. L. Tom Perry “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear” October 1995

6.education—particularly spiritual education—is constantly stressed by the Lord. We cannot be saved in ignorance, 9 but the Lord can only reveal light and truth to us as we are prepared to receive it. And so it is incumbent upon each of us to do everything we can to increase our spiritual knowledge and understanding by studying the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. M. Russell Ballard “Marvelous are the Revelations of the Lord” April 1998

7.As you discover your gifts and talents, remember that parents and mentors may assist you, but you must let the Spirit guide you. Robert D. Hales “Stand Strong in Holy Places” April 2013

8.He cannot help us remember things we have not labored to learn. David A. Bednar “Act in Doctrine”

9.After all, education continues as long as we live. If there is ever an end to secular learning, surely there is no end to spiritual learning. Boyd K. Packer “To Be Learned is Good If...” October 1992

10.Our purpose is to produce students who have that rare and precious combination of a superb secular education, complemented by faith in the Lord, a knowledge of the doctrines He has revealed, and a testimony that they are true. Boyd K. Packer “To Be Learned is Good If...” October 1992