Education is highly valued by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who believe it to be the only thing they carry with them from this life to the next. Church members are encouraged to get as much education as possible by prophets, apostles, and the Lord. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught this doctrine frequently throughout his life, and the same counsel appears in the holy scriptures. In the Doctrine and Covenants, a sacred book of modern scripture, it reads, “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth” (D&C 93:36). Members of the Church believe that God wants us to discover truth and has blessed us with a beautiful world to learn more about. Our experiences in this life can and will be enriched by our studies.
Heavenly Father has also encouraged His children to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). When seeking answers to prayers or difficult questions, you are promised that the Lord will “enlighten your mind” (D&C 11:13) or give you answers “in your mind and in your heart” (D&C 8:2). We have been gifted with logic that we can develop and strengthen over time, and God will use that gift to communicate with us.
Members are encouraged to develop their individual talents through education and training and use them to bless the lives of others. This can be accomplished in many ways, including schooling. Attending school to get an education is a blessing that should be taken advantage of whenever the opportunity presents itself to a family or individual. Additionally, one should take every opportunity to learn outside of a school environment as well. Learning any skill that will benefit you in life is worthwhile to the Lord. President Thomas S. Monson reminds us of the blessings of receiving an education: “Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life” (“Three Goals to Guide You”, October 2007 General Conference).
