Seek for wisdom

Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. (D&C 11:7)

Several months ago I had the following exchange with an older gentleman when he asked what I am doing right now and I explained that I was working on a Ph.D. in educational psychology.
Him: What do you plan to do when you are finished?
Me: I’d really just like to be a mom.
Him: That’s a lot of education for that, isn’t it?

What? I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope that wasn’t meant the way it came across. Otherwise I feel to pity his wife and what he must think of her.

We have been commanded to get all the education we can. Education will bless us both in this life and the eternities. Seeking for as much wisdom as we can will unfold the mysteries of God to us and provide opportunities to be blessed with many types of riches. And we will need all of the education and blessings of eternal riches we can get as sections of the world continue to spiral downwards. Continuing to study will help us on our upward path.

Simply by getting as much education as I can, I have blessed the lives of my children in many ways. Through my studies, I have read many reports of research showing the numerous and well documented advantages of having highly educated parents, especially mothers. My children will have great benefits in their lives, particularly in their teen years. Children of highly-educated parents are more well adjusted, less likely to be negatively influenced by peers, and more likely to go on to college themselves, among other things. You cannot have too much education for the calling of motherhood.

But the benefits of my education are not just for my future children and not just for this life. I have loved reading the Church magazines this month. Both the New Era and the Ensign were devoted to the eternal importance of education. They give updates on the Perpetual Education Fund and all the good that it is doing. I particularly enjoyed the message in the New Era from President Eyring, “Real-Life Education,” and the article by Sister Cook of the Young Women General Presidency, “More Fit for the Kingdom.”

I am not continuing with school to earn more money (I’m in education, money doesn’t happen). And I’ve never seen an education as an “insurance plan” “just in case” I need to provide for myself. I’m continuing my education because I am not through with me, and I don’t think Heavenly Father is through with me either. I have plenty of room to continue to improve and grow. Education is an eternal pursuit, so why not get as much of a jump on it now while I can. And the more education I have, the more opportunities I can give Heavenly Father to use me.

A simple search on the word “education,” specifying only those articles by members of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints produced a great number of entries. I pulled out eight by President Gordon B. Hinckley. No one can read these quotes and doubt that education, for both God’s sons and daughters, is of utmost importance.

I intend to get all of the education I can while I am on this earth, formally while that is an option, and informally until my dying breath.

The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. (D&C 93:36-37)

Quotes from President Hinckley

I urge you to get all of the education you can.
– Gordon B. Hinckley, “‘True to the Faith’,” Ensign, Jun 1996, 2

“It is so important that you young men and you young women get all of the education that you can. The Lord has said very plainly that His people are to gain knowledge of countries and kingdoms and of things of the world through the process of education, even by study and by faith. Education is the key which will unlock the door of opportunity for you. It is worth sacrificing for. It is worth working at, and if you educate your mind and your hands, you will be able to make a great contribution to the society of which you are a part, and you will be able to reflect honorably on the Church of which you are a member. My dear young brothers and sisters, take advantage of every educational opportunity that you can possibly afford, and you fathers and mothers, encourage your sons and daughters to gain an education which will bless their lives” (meeting, Hermosillo, Mexico, 9 Mar. 1998).
– Gordon B. Hinckley, “Inspirational Thoughts,” Ensign, Jun 1999, 2

“Get all the education that you can. The Lord has laid upon you a mandate that you should learn, that you should study, that you should acquire knowledge of things beneath the earth and above the earth and in the earth, of history and kingdoms and countries and cultures (see D&C 88:78–79). … That is a revelation to you, that you should acquire knowledge, and the marvelous thing is that as you acquire knowledge, your capacity will increase. You will be more widely recognized by people of the society in which you live. You simply reflect honor to this Church and build a wonderful name in promoting it. Be smart!” (meeting, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, 4 Aug. 1998).
– “Recurring Themes of President Hinckley,” Ensign, Jun 2000, 18

Teach them to value education. “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth” (D&C 93:36).
– Gordon B. Hinckley, “Your Greatest Challenge, Mother,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 97–100

Teach them the importance of education. The Lord has enjoined upon this people the responsibility to train their minds that they may be equipped to serve in the society of which they will become a part. The Church will be blessed by reason of their excellence. Furthermore, they will be amply rewarded for the effort they make.
– Gordon B. Hinckley, “‘Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children’,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 50–53

B number two—be smart.

You are moving into the most competitive age the world has ever known. All around you is competition. You need all the education you can get. Sacrifice a car; sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world. That world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field.

You belong to a church that teaches the importance of education. You have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your hearts and your hands. The Lord has said, “Teach ye diligently … of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—that ye may be prepared in all things” (D&C 88:78–80).

Mind you, these are not my words. These are the words of the Lord who loves you. He wants you to train your minds and hands to become an influence for good as you go forward with your lives. And as you do so and as you perform honorably and with excellence, you will bring honor to the Church, for you will be regarded as a man or woman of integrity and ability and conscientious workmanship. Be smart. Don’t be foolish. You cannot bluff or cheat others without bluffing or cheating yourselves….

Be smart. The Lord wants you to educate your minds and hands, whatever your chosen field. Whether it be repairing refrigerators, or the work of a skilled surgeon, you must train yourselves. Seek for the best schooling available. Become a workman of integrity in the world that lies ahead of you. I repeat, you will bring honor to the Church and you will be generously blessed because of that training.

There can be no doubt, none whatever, that education pays. Do not short-circuit your lives. If you do so, you will pay for it over and over and over again.
– Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” Ensign, Jan 2001, 2

Relief Society stands for education. It is the obligation of every woman of this Church to get all the education she can. It will enlarge her life and increase her opportunities.
– Gordon B. Hinckley, “In the Arms of His Love,” Ensign, Nov 2006, 115–18

Beyond ecclesiastical study there is the challenge of education. Resolve now, while you are young, that you will get all of the education you can. We live in a highly competitive age, and it will only grow worse. Education is the key that will unlock the door of opportunity.

You may plan on marriage, and hope for it, but you are not certain that it will come. And even though you marry, education will be of great benefit to you. Don’t just drift along, letting the days come and go without improvement in your lives. The Lord will bless you as you make the effort. Your lives will be enriched and your outlook broadened as your minds are opened to new vistas and knowledge.
– Gordon B. Hinckley, “Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly,” Ensign, May 2007, 115–17