“Enter to learn, go forth to serve”[1]. This is the challenge for all who enter Brigham Young University. We are here not only in enhance our spiritual learning, but also our knowledge of the world which surrounds us. I believe that both kinds of learning as equally important in the eyes of our Creator. Russell M. Nelson declared, “Because of our sacred regard for each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a religious responsibility”[2]
However we must be careful in the way that we attain this learning. We have been advised to read from “the best books”[3], but even these books can lead us astray if we depend upon them too greatly. I have personally seen people who do not believe in God because they have too many “facts,” and they rely upon their own wisdom to get them through life. They become prideful, and forget their Creator. They are those who are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”[4]. Nephi acknowledged these people when he said, “When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God”[5]
God can be found in everything we learn, as long as we look for him. Alma said, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator”[6] So when we are reading and learning from the “best books,” we need to be sure that we are also learning “by study and also by faith”[3].
Faith is key in our learning and gaining wisdom. We need to trust in the Lord, and he will guide us not only to truth, but to the things we individually need to learn for our salvation. We had faith in the premortal life to follow Christ’s plan, and we have faith now to learn and to follow Him. The Lord knew this life would test us, but he has given us promises as we endure. “I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more”[7]. As we continue to learn, He will continue to bless us with more knowledge.
Our life here on Earth is a test, it is a learning process. If we cease to learn, we void the reason that we came here. We are benefited the more we learn, for our knowledge is the one thing that we take with us when we leave this life. “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come”[8].
Albert Einstein advised us to “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning”[9]. Indeed, the Lord wants us to learn, he wants us to question, and when we have questions and we ask Him, He will answer us, for, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him”[10]. I know that this is true. As we continue to learn, the Lord imparts to us more light, and the more light we have, the easier it is for the Spirit to be with us. I love that here at BYU, there will be times in my Chemistry class that my professor will bring up the gospel and how it can apply. In a world where science is so often at odds with religion, it is beautiful to see that light and truth can coexist.
Sources:
1.Ernest L. Wilkinson Administration
2.Russell M. Nelson, “Where Is Wisdom?,” Ensign, Nov 1992, 6
3.D&C 88:118
4.2 Timothy 3:7
5.2 Nephi 9:28-29
6.Alma 30:44
7.2 Nephi 28:30
8.D&C 130:18-19
9.http://thinkexist.com
10.James 1:5
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13 comments:
You have some awesome quotes in here and really important ideas. How do you apply them to your life? What connections did you make personally?
I like the topic you chose because life-long learning is one of the four aims of a BYU education. You make some good points, and I would like to see the applications to your own lifelong quest for knowledge.
Nice quotes. Maybe it could be a little longer. Add something about you to it. Education is very important. It has been spoken on many times and will continue to grow in importance as the world gets more competitive. Thankyou for your thoughts.
Thank you for your post. I love your quote in the beginning by Elder Russell M. Nelson. I have always known that we need to learn as much as we can, but have never thought about it as a religious responsibility. Thank you.
Good relationship between faith and learning. and I like how you explained learning the wrong way leading to pride.
I really liked all of your quotes. I especially liked how you said if we don't learn then we neglect our duty here on earth. Great blog!
I like how you note that we need to have faith in our quest for gaining knowledge, and that we need to trust in the lord to guide us.
I enjoyed your quote from einstein, "Learn from yestersay, live today, an hope for tomorrow". Thanks and great blog!
Thanks for sharing about learning, the quotes from Einstein and Elder Nelson were well placed.
I really enjoyed your blog, i liked in particular that you quoted Albert Einstein, a very spiritual guy if you ask me!
Awesome blog! Really one of my favorites so far! I have a really good friend who is a hard core athiest now because of all the "knowledge" he has. But I loved the 2 Timothy scripture.
Thanks for reminding me of why I am here to receive an education. I've felt I've lost sight of it all because of the stress of final's week.
I really like all the quotes that you added in... i am a collector of quotes so i was able to take them and apply them in my life.
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