The Glory of God

Last week I talked with the Young Women about why we need an education. We could have talked about the exception, that they need an education in case they remain single or their husband dies. But I prefer talking about the rules rather than the exceptions. So we turned to the scriptures to see what reasons the Lord has given for gaining knowledge and wisdom.

36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
37 Light and truth forsake that evil one.
Doctrine & Covenants 93:36

18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 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.
Doctrine & Covenants 130:18-19

There can’t be any higher reason for education than that. Intelligence is the glory of God. Knowledge gained in this life will benefit you in the eternities.

When I was starting my Masters degree someone suggested I was doing it to earn more money. That person must not have been familiar with how much money educators make. I was not pursuing higher education for more money or worldly honors. I was pursuing further education because I wanted to better myself, because I was not done improving myself.

As part of our discussion I asked the young women to list any subject they could think of studying. And they filled the board. The topics ranged from finance to nursing to charity to fashion. Then we talked about if any of those topics would not benefit them as women, wives, and mothers in this life. Every topic they listed would help them in this life. Then I asked them if any of the topics would not benefit them in the eternities. Again, everything they could study would benefit them in the eternities.

Learn. Grow. Study. Gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. It is the glory of God. That’s reason enough for me to keep going.