It was written by William P. Merrill in 1911. President Gordon B. Hinckley recently quoted the text that reads:
President Hinckley goes on to talk about the men of the Church being worthy to use their priesthood, and a matter that gives him concern: education.Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of Kings.Rise up, O men of God,
In one united throng.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up, and make her great!Rise up, O men of God!
Tread where his feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
(Hymns, no. 324; third verse in The Oxford American Hymnal, ed. Carl F. Pfatteicher [1930], no. 256)
"Women have earned more bachelor's degrees than men every year since 1982 and more master's degrees since 1986.
"It is plainly evident from these statistics that young women are exceeding young men in pursuing educational programs. And so I say to you young men, rise up and discipline yourself to take advantage of educational opportunities. Do you wish to marry a girl whose education has been far superior to your own? We speak of being "equally yoked." That applies, I think, to the matter education.
"... A study done some years ago that indicated the higher the education, the greater the faith and participation in religious activity."
Elle and I were talking the other day about the importance of getting an education, and more importantly, being equally yoked in education with our future husbands.
Society puts a lot of pressure on degrees, certificates, awards, etc.; and your 'intelligence' is based upon test scores. We let others tells us what we can and cannot do, how smart or not smart we are, and many other things.
While my focus is not on any of these things, I find someone who is pushing themselves to better their life very sexy. It shows push, initiative and a desire for something better (for him and his family).
Besides, in raising children, how do you instill something into your children you have no desire to do yourself? How do you teach about an experience you have not had?
While all of this may seen a little harsh, it is something that is important to me because it is important to the Lord. I don't much care what kind of education, be it a certificate, associates or some kind of other training. A high school diploma won't provide for a family any more.
Education will enlarge life and increase opportunities. It will provide us the skills we need in the times we need them. Our perspective on life will be broadened and we will become better parents, sons and daughters, and people.
Bring on education, it is sexy!
3 comments:
Brandy
I agree with you that education is sexy and nessasary. But I also want to point out you don't "need" an education to be a good parent. If you have LOVE for your children and put that first than having an education is just a bonus. I know plenty of moms with so much education that it erases some of their mothering capabilities. So yes education is important but it is not as important as being a mom.
If you read the comments, they are directed at guys. There are different ways to earn an 'education', and for some that is being, yes, a mom. I would never devalue the role that a woman can have on her children. The Lord, through his prophet, has told men they need to get an education in something; then, if women have the opportunity, they too should get an education. But the influence a woman can have on the world because she chose to be a mom is invaluable, more so than a bachelors degree or some certificate. There are just some who get their opportunity to be a super-mom sooner than others :) You have a beautiful family and have had many opportunities to do things that only some of us get to dream about right now.
Your knowledge is education.....it's a need in life to help you understand YOUR very capabilities and capacities as to who you promised your Father in Heaven you would be. I don't think that education will really erases mothering capabilities but more that they have become ossified and forgot to utilize the spiritual blessing the Lord provided while in the educating process. I personally know that education comes in all forms: Reading, Writing, Speaking, Communicating, Studying and if others chose.....Schooling. A prime comment that you made I just love the acknowledgement of wanting to be one with your future husband...."being equally yoked in education with our future husbands." What not a better way to start a marriage if the Lord permits and you've lived your life according to his will.
Mahal Kita!
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