The Importance of Education

Why Education is Important to Mormons

Gaining a good education means more than just schooling, it also includes learning a professional trade or skill. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach the importance of education for a couple of reasons.

Education Helps Us Become Like God
God has a perfect knowledge and knows all things- He is omniscient.¹ We believe we are the spirit children of our Heavenly Father and that He wants us to become perfect even as He, and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, are perfect² which includes gaining knowledge of all things, both temporal and spiritual.

Increasing our education and skills is one of the ways we become more like God- one step at a time³- for a "wise man will hear, and will increase learning" (Proverbs 1:5).

Education is For Our Eternal Growth
Becoming more like God through increased knowledge, education, and abilities is part of our eternal progress. The Lord taught:

"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

"And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come" (D&C 130:18-19).

The more we learn in this life the farther along we will be in the next life.

Education is For Our Good
Gaining an education, or marketable trade, is extremely important for us and our families. As we increase our learning, knowledge, and abilities we will be more able to take care of our families, both in and out of the home. Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Kristen M. Oaks taught:

"In our educational choices we should prepare to support ourselves and those who may become dependent upon us. It is necessary that we have marketable skills. Education is mandatory to personal security and well-being."⁴

Serving God and Others
One of the main purposes of life is to learn how to serve God by serving others and working to better our knowledge and education will better help us in the service of God and our fellowman. President Eyring also taught this principle:

"If we continue to seek learning to serve God and His children better, it is a blessing of great worth. If we begin to seek learning to exalt ourselves alone, it leads to selfishness and pride, which will take us away from eternal life....

"The Lord and His Church have always encouraged education to increase our ability to serve Him and our Heavenly Father’s children. For each of us, whatever our talents, He has service for us to give. And to do it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited time, but continually."⁵

Education and Being a Lifetime Learner
Gaining knowledge isn't just for the young, but for all ages. We should always be a lifetime learner and continue to increase our talents, skills, and knowledge.

"Continue to seek opportunities for education throughout your life. This will help you stay up-to-date in your chosen profession and in your other skills and interests. In this rapidly changing world, you must make time to educate yourself for the present and the future."⁶

I'm grateful for the opportunities we have for increased knowledge including knowing the importance of education through higher education, learning trades developing skills and talents, and always being a lifetime learner.

Notes:
¹ See 1 Samuel 2:3, 2 Nephi 2:24, and 2 Nephi 9:20
² See 3 Nephi 12:48
³ See Isaiah 28:10
⁴ Dallin H. Oaks and Kristen M. Oaks, "Learning and Latter-day Saints," Ensign, Apr 2009, 22–27
⁵ Henry B. Eyring, "Education for Real Life," Ensign, Oct 2002, 14
⁶ "Education," True to the Faith, 2004, 50–51