The choice to be intentional about education can make all the difference
A religious responsibility
Do you believe that learning is a commandment of God? After reviewing the Ten Commandments in your mind, you may be wondering where learning fits in. Is it really that important to get an education? Actually, yes! God has always commanded His children to learn, and because He has, we will each be held accountable.
Give learning your all
Even though you may recognize the value of education, learning can still be challenging. When you feel too busy to finish your homework or have difficulty learning a concept, it can be easy to become frustrated. Don鈥檛 lose hope! No matter where you are in your educational journey, here are three steps you can take to give learning your all:
1. Recommit to learn diligently
You will be strengthened as you renew your commitment to learn. As time passes, you may forget why you started or lose motivation to continue. In his general conference message, 鈥淪tanding by Our Promises and Covenants,鈥� Elder Ronald A. Rasband asked, 鈥淒o we stand by our promises, 鈥� or are they sometimes half-hearted commitments, casually made and hence easily broken?鈥�However unmotivated you might feel, you can make a whole-hearted commitment to try again. When you make a whole-hearted commitment, you strive to make consistent efforts, despite any setbacks.
2. Learn something new every day
If you were to plant one tree in the shade and another tree in the sunlight, you would see a drastic difference in the trees鈥� growth over time. The tree that grew in the sunlight would be significantly stronger and taller because of its daily, consistent access to the sun鈥檚 energy. In a similar way, we each require daily sunlight, or knowledge, to grow to our fullest potential.
Don鈥檛 stay in the shade. Try to learn something new every day 鈥� you鈥檒l be surprised at how much you can accomplish!
3. Notice the hand of the Lord
As you learn, take some time to consider how the Lord is blessing you. As Elder Robert D. Hales said, 鈥淓ducation prepares you for better employment opportunities. It puts you in a better position to serve and to bless those around you. It will set you on a path of lifelong learning.鈥�If you look closely and are patient, you will notice blessings from the Lord all around you! Doing so will give you greater joy and purpose in your education.
You can have confidence
In his message, 鈥淭rue Disciples of the Savior,鈥� Elder Terence M. Vinson explained, 鈥淕iving our all doesn鈥檛 mean that we will be continually enveloped in blessings or always have success. But it does mean that we will have joy. 鈥� Joy is enduring and is founded on our efforts being accepted by the Lord.鈥�All the Lord asks of us is that we try our best. As you follow these steps to improve your efforts in education, you can have confidence that you are striving to fulfill God鈥檚 commandment to learn.
