The Lord Jesus Christ and His prophets have continually taught us, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to seek education and "knowledge by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118). This principle teaches us that as we gain both secular and spiritual knowledge, the Lord will bless us.
President Russell M. Nelson has always advised members of the church to gain an education. In his 2010 BYU-Idaho Devotional titled "Education--A Religious Responsibility", President Nelson stated, "Your mind is precious! It is sacred. Therefore, the education of one's mind is also sacred. Indeed, education is a religious responsibility... in the pursuit of one's education, individual desire is more important than is the institution you choose; personal drive is more significant than is the faculty."
The Lord is more interested in the fact that we gain an education rather than where the education is obtained.
Throughout his lifetime, President Thomas S. Monson also focused on helping members of the church see the importance and advantages of gaining an education. In his Liahona article, "Three Goals to Guide You" from November 2007, President Monson urged members, "to pursue your education that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such." He promised, "Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life."
Our purpose in this life is being ready to live with our Heavenly Father again, and gaining an education is one of the most important ways we can prepare!
In his October 2009 General Conference talk, "Two Principles for Any Economy", Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that 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'." He also encouraged us to "strive to increase your knowledge of all that is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy."
The Lord desires for us to increase our knowledge of spiritual matters as well as secular matters. After all, our knowledge and wisdom are the only things we take with us into eternity.
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