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The Lord Prepares A Way

Regardless of how you started your education, your unique journey can take you where you need to go

Asked by his father to take a long and dangerous journey to Jerusalem, Nephi responded, “The Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” 1 Importantly, “Nephi says, ‘a way’ — not ‘the way.’” 2
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Michelle Craig, “Spiritual Capacity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 19
When the Lord gives a commandment, He prepares different ways for His children to fulfill it according to their circumstances and abilities.

More than one way

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Each prophet crossed the sea in different ways according to their needs.
Sister Michelle Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, taught this principle using scripture stories. Nephi, the brother of Jared, and Moses all had to cross large bodies of water, but they all did it differently. Nephi built a boat, Moses parted the sea, and the brother of Jared built barges. ”They each received personalized direction, tailored to them, and each trusted and acted.” 3
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Ibid
Elder Uchtdorf reminds us, “For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea — it’s a commandment.” 4
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Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Two Principles for Any Economy,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 55
Heavenly Father has a way prepared for each of His children to accomplish this commandment, but each person’s path to education is unique.

Aboli Ebissan: “Everything is possible”

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Aboli knows that blessings come to those who endure faithfully.

Coming home to the Ivory Coast from his mission in Ghana, Aboli learned that his family couldn’t afford to send him to college. Once he heard of BYU-Pathway, Aboli joined and paid for his courses by doing odd jobs. He would do his assignments on his phone at his church building after work. Despite the challenges, it was worth it.

“The program blessed my life. It helped me practice my English, and the spiritual learning combined with secular learning helped me to always stay on the covenant path.”

Thanks to his education, Aboli was eventually hired as an administrative assistant at a local university. He’s continuing his degree through BYU-Idaho, through BYU-Pathway.

“Today I have a small family with a beautiful daughter and still strive to achieve my online degree. Nothing comes easily, but with determination and putting your trust in God, everything is possible.”

Sarah Barker: “An amazingly supportive environment”

A mother stands with her husband and three children
Sarah and her family

When her church hosted an information session about BYU-Pathway, Sarah Barker went straight home and enrolled. She had always wanted to finish college since starting her family, and now that her youngest was in kindergarten, it was her chance. Despite her enthusiasm, going back to school was not easy.

Sarah pushed through difficulties because of her encouraging support system. Enrolling with her sister-in-law, making friends in her courses and her gathering group, and receiving encouragement from her assigned service missionaries empowered her to finish her degree. “It was an amazingly supportive environment.” Sarah doesn’t regret her decision for a second.

“BYU-Pathway taught us that even though it had been 20 years since we had been in school, we were capable of learning new things. I have used a skill from every single class in my job and everyday life. I’m very glad that I took the leap of faith to enroll.”

Different is okay

Sister Craig said, “You have unique missions and roles to perform in life and will be given unique guidance to fulfill them.” 5
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Ibid
The Lord is preparing a path that is meant for you. He knows and loves you perfectly — trust Him.

What has been your unique path to higher education?


Contributors: Natalia Ward and Holden d'Evegnee