Preparing for Future Education and Employment: Lesson 188
The Importance of Education
Temporal and Spiritual Blessings of Education
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
For some people, opportunities to be successful in the future seem like a closed door. Thankfully, there is a key that can unlock that closed door.
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) taught, “Education is the key which will unlock the door of opportunity for you” (“Inspirational Thoughts,” Ensign, June 1999, 4).
While obtaining an education can be very challenging, it is worth the effort. Obtaining education prepares you to be a better instrument in accomplishing the Lord’s work. You can also use your education to bless those around you.
Lesson Purpose: To help you understand the importance of education, both temporal and spiritual.
Learn How
Education will bring us temporal and spiritual blessings
The Holy Ghost can help you recognize messages just for you. As you learn today, pay attention to impressions that may help you with your educational and life goals.
Imagine your friend Isabel hates school. She is frustrated with her educational track and worried about passing the comprehensive exams necessary to graduate and attend university. Isabel is thinking about options that won’t require more schooling.
Study a topic using multiple sources. Studying a topic using many sources can help you have a greater understanding of what you are studying. Multiple sources provide different perspectives and additional information that you may not get from a single source.
Study from the following sources. As you do, tag sources that would help you respond to Isabel as “education” and “learning.” At the end of the lesson, you will use what you find to respond to Isabel’s concerns.
Scriptures
Study three or more of the following scriptures, looking for what they teach about education.
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Proverbs 3:13–20; 4:5–8 (The value of wisdom and understanding)
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Acts 7:22 (How Moses was prepared to lead Israel out of Egypt)
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Alma 17:2–3 (How the sons of Mosiah prepared for their missions)
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Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9 (Revelation to Oliver Cowdery after he was unable to translate the Book of Mormon)
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Doctrine and Covenants 88:118 (Instructions to the Church in 1833 on how to build Zion)
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Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19 (Joseph Smith teaches the eternal value of education)
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Moses 5:12; 6:5–6 (Adam and Eve’s instructions to their children)
For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices
Read the following paragraphs, looking for truths that would help Isabel.
Heavenly Father wants His daughters and sons to always be learning. You have both temporal and spiritual reasons to seek and love learning. Education is not just about earning money. It is part of your eternal goal to become more like Heavenly Father. …
Always be learning. Look for opportunities to expand your mind and your skills. These opportunities can include formal education at school or vocational training as well as informal learning from sources you trust. Involve the Lord in your efforts, and He will guide you. As you learn about the world around you, learn also about the Savior, who created the world. Study His life and teachings. Make seminary, institute, and personal gospel study part of your lifelong learning. …
Education increases your ability to serve the Lord. It empowers you to bless others, especially your family. The more you learn, the more you can help build God’s kingdom and influence the world for good. (For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices [2022], 31–32)
education, learning
Prophetic Statements
Read the following statements. Choose at least one you could share with Isabel to help resolve her concerns.
President Russell M. Nelson:
Our Creator expects His children everywhere to gain an education as a personal endeavor. (“Education—A Religious Responsibility” [Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional, Jan. 26, 2010], byui.edu)
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008):
You must get all of the education that you possibly can. Life has become so complex and competitive. You cannot assume that you have entitlements due you. You will be expected to put forth great effort and to use your best talents to make your way to the most wonderful future of which you are capable. Sacrifice a car; sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world. That world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field. (“Words of the Prophet: Seek Learning,” New Era, Sept. 2007, 3–4)
education, learning, sacrifice
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency:
If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can. Under such circumstances, the best books, in a sense, can become your “university”—a classroom that is always open and admits all who apply. Strive to increase your knowledge of all that is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” Seek knowledge “by study and also by faith.” (“Two Principles for Any Economy,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 58)
Videos
Watch one or more of the following videos. As you watch, ask yourself which video you would most want to view and why. Look for truths that might be useful to Isabel.
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“Education for a Better Life” (4:55)
4:56 -
“Love of Learning” (2:57)
2:58
Now that you have studied the resources, use the tags you created to compile a response to Isabel. Share the message with a family member or someone you feel would be blessed by learning how the Lord feels about education.
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you understand the importance of education, both temporal and spiritual.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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Your response to Isabel, including appropriate sources.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?