Church leaders teach the importance of education — their words can inspire you
Dallin H. Oaks
“All of you are enrolled in BYU-Pathway to acquire knowledge, skills, and patterns of personal effort that will help you become self-reliant servants of Jesus Christ and of your fellowmen.”
Henry B. Eyring
“Long ago, I sought to learn physics and mathematics in my college years. I felt overwhelmed. I began to feel that I was trying to learn something that was beyond me. As I prayed, I felt the quiet assurance of the Lord [saying] to my mind, ‘I am proving you, but I am also with you.’ …With His help, I could do things that seemed impossible if I had the faith that He would be there to help me.”
D. Todd Christofferson
“There’s no reason you can’t call on God for help. You’re striving to do what He wants. You’re striving to get an education. You’re striving to serve. You’re striving to bless others, especially those close to you. You’re on His path, His covenant path, so why wouldn’t He help you?”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“I got a job at a research institution that had a large library. I remember spending much of my free time in that library. There I could finally … drink in the information and knowledge that books provide. How I loved to read and learn! In those days I understood firsthand the words of an old saying: ‘Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire.’”
David A. Bednar
“You do not have to do this alone. You don’t learn alone. The Holy Ghost is a teacher. He’s a Comforter, but He brings all things to our remembrance. So, if we put forth the effort to input whatever the subject matter, not just spiritual things — chemistry, algebra, English, learning a foreign language — we are assisted by the Holy Ghost.”
Quentin L. Cook
“People with determination and direction consistently perform better than those with natural ability who do not have the same grit. You will be blessed and protected when you seek righteous, worthwhile goals; plan and work with grit and determination; and rely and focus on the Savior's atoning sacrifice as you endure to the end.”
Neil L. Andersen
“Quoting President Russell M. Nelson] ‘Obtaining an education is a religious responsibility.’ We are very proud of you for the effort you're making to make something of your life, to build up what you can become, and, most importantly, to become a righteous son or daughter of God, and also someone of capacity, of skill, of intellect.”
Ronald A. Rasband
“I’ve learned that what really will distinguish you as Latter-day Saints is education, and experience, and following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. A BYU-Pathway education will help prepare you for having some prosperity in your life. And prosperity, as you may recall, was the most often offered blessing of the Book of Mormon.”
Gary E. Stevenson
“We’ve had emphasis from the prophets for many, many years to continue our education, to find opportunities to advance our education. You're literally following the words of the prophets as you are engaged in this endeavor. Consider the ways that you can continue to grow, and develop, and grow spiritually, and help your family and your loved ones.”
Dale G. Renlund
“You may feel overwhelmed because you are balancing many aspects of life. You may feel time-constrained, never completing well any of the tasks you have. It can be exhausting! Today, my invitation to you is to simplify your life and trust in God's ability to help you.”
Gerrit W. Gong
“We can cheerfully do all we can with what we have. Small and simple things, done with faith and diligence each day, bring great things. Each day we can study our assignments, practice what we are learning, and creatively apply the principles our classes teach. Each day we can pray, study, and ponder the Lord's word in scripture. The Lord’s Spirit will help and guide us, including with our BYU-Pathway studies.”
Ulisses Soares
“Learning to receive revelation through the Holy Ghost may be compared to learning a second language. At first, we understand little or perhaps nothing at all. But as we continue to apply ourselves, ….eventually, we find ourselves understanding what is being said. You are learning now what you need to structure and base life in the heavenly guidance that we all need day after day.”
Patrick Kearon
“Everything we do — our studies, our work, our caring for somebody — these are not separate from our faith. These are all part of our spiritual development. We have to apply our faith to our work, to our studies, to our relationships. … Our faith behavior should become part of us in everything that we do.”
Gérald Caussé
“Our emphasis on education comes from a desire to better help and serve God’s children. Education leads to greater self-reliance. It also helps to reduce poverty, improve health, and strengthen societies.”