Importance of EducationFHE Lesson, August 2016, by Jimmy Smith

Jimmy and Heather, April 2001

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• In June 1831, just a year after the Church was organized, Joseph Smith received a revelation instructing William W. Phelps, a printer, to write and publish books for children in Church schools. “And again, you shall be ordained to assist my servant Oliver Cowdery to do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in this church, that little children also may receive instruction before me as is pleasing unto me” (D&C 55:4).• Q: Why is it pleasing unto God for little

children to receive instruction?W.W. Phelps

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• In 1832, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation concerning the building of Zion. “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118).• Q: What does it mean to learn by study and also by faith?

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• The History of the Church states that: “During the week the Kirtland High School is taught in the attic story [of the Kirtland Temple].” It was a school where “mathematics, common arithmetic, geography, English grammar, writing, and reading are taught” (History of the Church, 2:474–75).• Q: What does it teach us about

the importance of education that high school classes were taught at the temple?

Kirtland Temple

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• Elder Heber C. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “There is yet another piece of business of great importance to all who have families; that is, to have some school books printed for the education of our children.” W. W. Phelps elaborated on what Elder Kimball said: “We are preparing to go out from among the people, where we can serve God in righteousness; and the first thing is, to teach our children.”• https://www.lds.org/manual/by-study-and-also-by-faith

/prologue-foundations-of-education-in-the-church-1830-1911?lang=eng#92-00334_000_prologue

• Q: Why is the education of children a prerequisite to serving God in righteousness?Heber C. Kimball

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• In March of 1848 the Millennial Star quoted Church leaders urging the Saints to take “every opportunity” to obtain educational materials that would “gain the attention of children, and cause them to love to learn to read.” Suggested teaching aids included “every book, map, chart, or diagram that may contain interesting, useful, and attractive matter … and, also every historical, mathematical, philosophical, geographical, geological, astronomical, scientific, practical, and all other variety of useful and interesting writings, maps, etc.” (In Moffitt, The History of Public Education in Utah, 10).• Q: Why would it be important to teach children all of these subjects?

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• President Harold B. Lee said this about the origins of the Seminary and Institute program, “The beginnings of the weekday religious education actually commenced with religion classes. … The Brethren, in setting up religion classes on a weekday basis, said their purpose was to offset the godless education so common in secular schools” (Objectives of Church Education, June 17, 1970).• Q: What are secular schools and how are

they different than religious education?

Harold B. Lee

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• “The mission of Brigham Young University is to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life. That assistance should provide a period of intensive learning in a stimulating setting where a commitment to excellence is expected and the full realization of human potential is pursued. …To succeed in this mission the university must provide an environment enlightened by living prophets and sustained by those moral virtues which characterize the life and teachings of the Son of God.”• http://aims.byu.edu/mission_statement

• Q: How does eternal life and teaching moral virtues fit into the mission statement of an accredited university?

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• “Education is the key which will unlock the door of opportunity for you. It is worth sacrificing for. It is worth working at, and if you educate your mind and your hands, you will be able to make a great contribution to the society of which you are a part, and you will be able to reflect honorably on the Church of which you are a member. My dear young brothers and sisters, take advantage of every educational opportunity that you can possibly afford, and you fathers and mothers, encourage your sons and daughters to gain an education which will bless their lives.”• President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Inspirational

Thoughts,” Ensign, June 1999, 4.

• Q: Why is it important for young women to get an education, even if they plan to be a full-time mom when they grow up?Gordon B. Hinckley

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• “You are moving into a world of fierce competition. You must get all of the education you can. The Lord has instructed us concerning the importance of education. It will qualify you for greater opportunities. It will equip you to do something worthwhile in the great world of opportunity that lies ahead.”• Gordon B. Hinckley, “Converts and Young

Men,” Ensign, May 1997, 49–50.

• Q: Why is it important to get all the education you can?

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• “Be smart. The Lord wants you to educate your minds and hands, whatever your chosen field. Whether it be repairing refrigerators, or the work of a skilled surgeon, you must train yourselves. Seek for the best schooling available. Become a workman of integrity in the world that lies ahead of you. I repeat, you will bring honor to the Church and you will be generously blessed because of that training.”• President Gordon B. Hinckley, https://

www.lds.org/ensign/2001/01/a-prophets-counsel-and-prayer-for-youth?lang=eng

• Q: What are some important things to consider when choosing a career?

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• The prophet Joseph Smith said “The doctrine of revelation far transcends the doctrine of no revelation; for one truth revealed from heaven is worth all the sectarian notions (worldly ideas) in existence.”• Wilford Woodruff Journal, 10 March 1844

• Q: Why are revelations from God worth more than all the other ideas in the world?

Joseph Smith

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• “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! 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” (2 Nephi 9:28).• Q: Why is it important to be humble and

trust in God no matter our education level?