2025
Back-to-School Blessing
September 2025

“Back-to-School Blessing,” Friend, September 2025, 16–17.

Back-to-School Blessing

By Rebekah Jakeman

A true story from Austria.

Girl and her parents sitting at a table in their kitchen eating dinner

Are you excited for school to start?

Yeah, but I’m worried about math. What if I can’t do it?

Mom with her hands on her daughter’s shoulders as they talk at the table

It’s OK to be scared. School can be hard, but Heavenly Father can help you!

Parents and two daughters eating dinner at the kitchen table

Would you like a priesthood blessing before you start school?

Sure!

Dad giving daughter a blessing while Mom and sister sit with their eyes closed and heads bowed
Dad and daughter hugging

Thanks, Dad!

GIrl sitting at a desk at school while a female teacher points to a math problem on the chalkboard

What is five times seven?

Thirty-five.

Girl holding a pencil and studying from a book

Hmm …

Girl smiling and holding her pencil in the air

Got it!

Mom and daughter sitting at their kitchen table; daughter has a book and pencil and Mom is using a laptop computer

How was school?

Good. I was able to concentrate in math, just like Dad said in my blessing.

Girl smiling with book in front of her on the table

Heavenly Father is helping me focus. I can do math!

Story PDF

Illustrations by Aleksandar Zolotic; Kindly Loved by Sandy Freckleton Gagon, courtesy of Havenlight