Hello!
I think it’s so awesome how our church is organized. Starting at primary ages of 12 and under, we have children practicing their public speaking. Young men and women have leadership positions in their quorums and classes, learning to be righteous “Captain Moroni’s,” as Sis. Reidhead would say. We are learning to stand for truth and righteousness as we go into the world and serve.
Henry B. Erying said, "The Lord and His Church have always encouraged education to increase our ability to serve Him and our Heavenly Father’s children. For each of us, whatever our talents, He has service for us to give. And to do it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited time, but continually”.
In ten days I will be entering BYU, located in Provo, UT. Their motto is: “Enter to learn, go forth to serve.” This is similar to Brother Erying’s statement.
We are on a journey through life- I think of it as an adventure. There is much change, and from that change comes trials, learning, and growth. We are always on a quest to find happiness. One of those small things that gives me happiness is serving others, and it becomes easier to serve others when we are well educated.
For The Strength of Youth it reads: He [Heavenly Father] wants us to educate our minds and to develop our skills and talents, our power to act well in our responsibilities, and our capacity to appreciate life. The education we will gain will be valuable to us during mortality and the life to come. Education will prepare us for greater service in the world and in the Church.”
Now, my dream job is to be a mother. No, I am NOT going to BYU for an MRS. Degree, I’m actually going to be studying both neuroscience and chemical engineering, and maybe even environmental science. I also want to participate in study abroad programs in college. Why? Because as our past prophet, Gordon B. Hinkley said: “It is so important that you young men and you young women to get all the education that you can. The Lord has said very plainly that His people are to gain knowledge of countries and kingdoms and of things of the world through the process of education, even by study and by faith.”
And with repeating the For Strength of Youth: We will have a greater capacity to appreciate life. I had a cool experience with my mom on Friday. I was inside writing my talk (one that I ended up throwing out when I read it this morning and started anew) when my mom yelled for me to come outside. She sounded excited, like she had just struck gold while watering our gardens. I went outside where she excitedly showed me how about 8 or 9 stick bugs had climbed out of the reaches of the water. As she pointed them out, I saw two preying mantises, and a couple scorpions. She came to the conclusion that this flower garden housed all of the predators of the bugs. I responded that all it needed was a few ladybugs. Now, if you don’t know much about bugs, you think, ladybugs are so cute and small, and the biggest harm they do is poop on your hand when you catch and play with them. But really, a ladybug eating aphids is comparable to a wolf eating their prey. Here is your random fact for the day; ants milk aphids just like we milk cows.
It’s moments like these where I marvel and appreciate everything that Heavenly Father has created.
I want to be educated to I can teach my children and nurture them. I want to be able to help them with homework or realize they can tackle the world and do great things. I want to teach them to appreciate life, cultures, and people. And most importantly, I want to teach them to rely on the Savior. That He is their best friend, and that they can pray and talk to Him whenever they need guidance, help, or a feeling of peace. There is so much evil and hate in the world today that it takes a lot to see any of the good. That is why we need to be Captain Moroni’s; defending our religion, freedom, peace, and families. That is why we go out and serve, to better our communities and realize our effect on one person may make a lasting impression.
In D&C130:18 it says, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.”
We should not only and be educated in school terms and in current events, but also in our gospel doctrines. I am so grateful for the hour of seminary I got each day in high school. That is where I truly learned and gained my testimony of Christ, that He loves me, that He loves each and every one of us. I learned of the Atonement and how it is applicable in my life. I know how truly involving the Lord in in every aspect of my life through daily prayer and scripture reading really helps me be happy. And if we have a righteous want, the Lord will provide.
My education didn't end when I ended high school, and it won’t conclude with my graduation of college. It will extend into the eternities. Life is a learning experience where we grow and just as our testimonies bloom.
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