Saturday School: Education Quotes

Learning is one part of bettering oneself and becoming self-reliant.  It is part of living providently.  As we educate ourselves we tend to make better choices, to have a better shot at providing for ourselves.

Today, I simply want to share some quotes about education from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as found here:

“The Church from the beginning has been committed to the principle that ‘the glory of God is intelligence.’ (D&C 93:36.) We therefore encourage our people to study and prepare to render service with their minds and with their hands.

“Some are inclined toward formal university training, and some are inclined more toward the practical vocational training. We feel that our people should receive that kind of training which is most consistent with their interests and talents. Whether it be in the professions, the arts, or the vocations; whether it be university or vocational training, we applaud and encourage it” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, pp. 4–5; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 4).

“Education has always been recognized by the Church as the number one obligation of each generation to its successor and of each individual to himself. Each one of us is a divinely endowed, eternal, and intelligent being. It is incumbent upon us, therefore, to encourage and keep alive the questing spirit, to learn and continue to learn everything possible about ourselves, our fellowmen, our universe, and our God” (Hugh B. Brown, in Conference Report, Apr. 1968, p. 101; or Improvement Era, June 1968, p. 34).

“Too great care cannot be taken in educating our young ladies. Great responsibilities will devolve upon them. To their hands will be mainly committed the formation of the moral and intellectual character of the young. Let the women of our country be made intelligent, and their children will certainly be the same. The proper education of a man decides his welfare; but the interests of a whole family are secured by the correct education of a woman” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, sel. Jerreld L. Newquist [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 2:138).

“There are impelling reasons for our sisters to plan toward employment. … We want them to obtain all the education and vocational training possible before marriage. If they become widowed or divorced and need to work, we want them to have dignified and rewarding employment. If a sister does not marry, she has every right to engage in a profession that allows her to magnify her talents and gifts” (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1975, p. 124).