A family home evening lesson about the importance of education, both secular and religious. This version is abridged to better fit the attention span of children.

1. Importance of Education
FHE Lesson, August 2016, by Jimmy Smith
Jimmy and Heather, April 2001

2. 2
• In June 1831, just a year after the
Church was organized, Joseph Smith
received a revelation instructing
William W. Phelps, a printer, to write
and publish books for children in
Church schools. “And again, you shall
be ordained to assist my servant
Oliver Cowdery to do the work of
printing, and of selecting and writing
books for schools in this church, that
little children also may receive
instruction before me as is pleasing
unto me” (D&C 55:4).
• Q: Why is it pleasing unto God for
little children to receive instruction?
W.W. Phelps

3. 3
• In 1832, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation concerning
the building of Zion. “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and
teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best
books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by
faith” (D&C 88:118).
• Q: What does it mean to learn by study and also by faith?

4. 4
• The History of the Church states
that: “During the week the
Kirtland High School is taught in
the attic story [of the Kirtland
Temple].” It was a school where
“mathematics, common
arithmetic, geography, English
grammar, writing, and reading
are taught” (History of the
Church, 2:474–75).
• Q: What does it teach us about
the importance of education that
high school classes were taught
at the temple?
Kirtland Temple

5. 5
• Elder Heber C. Kimball of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles said, “There is yet
another piece of business of great
importance to all who have families; that
is, to have some school books printed for
the education of our children.” W. W.
Phelps elaborated on what Elder Kimball
said: “We are preparing to go out from
among the people, where we can serve
God in righteousness; and the first thing
is, to teach our children.”
• https://www.lds.org/manual/by-study-and-also-by-
faith/prologue-foundations-of-education-in-the-church-
1830-1911?lang=eng#92-00334_000_prologue
• Q: Why is the education of children a
prerequisite to serving God in
righteousness?
Heber C. Kimball

6. 6
• In March of 1848 the Millennial Star quoted Church leaders urging the Saints
to take “every opportunity” to obtain educational materials that would “gain
the attention of children, and cause them to love to learn to read.” Suggested
teaching aids included “every book, map, chart, or diagram that may contain
interesting, useful, and attractive matter … and, also every historical,
mathematical, philosophical, geographical, geological, astronomical,
scientific, practical, and all other variety of useful and interesting writings,
maps, etc.” (In Moffitt, The History of Public Education in Utah, 10).
• Q: Why would it be important to teach children all of these subjects?

7. 7
• President Harold B. Lee said this
about the origins of the Seminary
and Institute program, “The
beginnings of the weekday religious
education actually commenced with
religion classes. … The Brethren, in
setting up religion classes on a
weekday basis, said their purpose
was to offset the godless education
so common in secular schools”
(Objectives of Church Education,
June 17, 1970).
• Q: What are secular schools and
how are they different than
religious education?
Harold B. Lee

8. 8
• “The mission of Brigham Young University is to
assist individuals in their quest for perfection
and eternal life. That assistance should provide
a period of intensive learning in a stimulating
setting where a commitment to excellence is
expected and the full realization of human
potential is pursued. …To succeed in this
mission the university must provide an
environment enlightened by living prophets
and sustained by those moral virtues which
characterize the life and teachings of the Son
of God.”
• http://aims.byu.edu/mission_statement
• Q: How does eternal life and teaching moral
virtues fit into the mission statement of an
accredited university?

9. 9
• “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.”
• President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Inspirational
Thoughts,” Ensign, June 1999, 4.
• Q: Why is it important for young women to
get an education, even if they plan to be a
full-time mom when they grow up?
Gordon B. Hinckley

10. 10
• “You are moving into a
world of fierce competition.
You must get all of the
education you can. The Lord
has instructed us concerning
the importance of
education. It will qualify you
for greater opportunities. It
will equip you to do
something worthwhile in the
great world of opportunity
that lies ahead.”
• Gordon B. Hinckley, “Converts and
Young Men,” Ensign, May 1997, 49–50.
• Q: Why is it important to get
all the education you can?

11. 11
• “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.”
• President Gordon B. Hinckley, https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/01/a-prophets-counsel-and-
prayer-for-youth?lang=eng
• Q: What are some important things to consider when choosing a career?

12. 12
• The prophet Joseph Smith said “The
doctrine of revelation far
transcends the doctrine of no
revelation; for one truth revealed
from heaven is worth all the
sectarian notions (worldly ideas) in
existence.”
• Wilford Woodruff Journal, 10 March 1844
• Q: Why are revelations from God worth
more than all the other ideas in the
world?
Joseph Smith

13. 13
• “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the
vainness, and the frailties, and the
foolishness of men! When they are learned
they think they are wise, and they hearken
not unto the counsel of God, for they set it
aside, supposing they know of themselves,
wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and
it profiteth them not. And they shall perish”
(2 Nephi 9:28).
• Q: Why is it important to be humble and
trust in God no matter our education level?