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| Racheal Alvstad / Scroll |
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| Leah Bowden, a junior from Redding, Calif., sits in a media law class in the Jacob Spori Building. |
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In this competitive world, education is not only essential but it is also a commandment from the Lord.
The Lord rates education with the temple in importance. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:118, the Lord issued the 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.”
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have repeatedly emphasized the importance of education. In fact, one of the first things the pioneers did after “[beginning] construction of their temple in Illinois, is [establish] the University of the City of Nauvoo,” said Elder Russell M. Nelson.
The General Authorities focus on the importance of two types of education: secular and religious.
Secular education is important not only because it opens up job offers, but also because it allows people to provide for themselves and become self-sufficient. There are many instances where a son or daughter lives with their parents, never got an education, and then latched onto their parents’ money supply.
“Those who impulsively drop out and cut short their education not only disregard divine decree but frustrate the realization of their own potential,” Elder Nelson said.
Secular education allows our potential to become even greater than we can imagine. We all have great potential to become doctors, professors and entrepreneurs. A secular education can help students obtain this goal.
“Don’t place all your intellectual eggs in one basket of secular learning,” Elder Nelson said.
2 Nephi 9 warns what will happen if we only utilize one basket. “[The] learned may think they are wise, [and] hearken not unto the counsels of God.” If we take the time for studying the scriptures and the words of the prophets, our secular education will go much more smoothly.
Students should heed the counsel of our prophet Gordon B. Hinckley to “be smart and not forfeit the schooling that will enhance [our] future.”
