Elder Tad R. Callister, Area President - December 2010

The Area Presidency has a vision that in the Pacific Area every young man and woman should finish high school and then attend either a vocational or tertiary school. This is consistent with the counsel of the First Presidency: "The Church has long encouraged its members, and especially its youth, either to obtain a college education or to become well-trained in some vocation... We, therefore, strongly urge all young people to engage and continue in formal schooling of some kind beyond high school."

Some might think that education is only a temporal or secular goal, but that would be a misconception. Education is also a religious pursuit. The scriptures tell us, "The glory of God is intelligence" (D&C 93:36).

The scriptures also tell us that "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 130:19). Further the scriptures tell us to "seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88: 118).

The reasons for gaining an education are many. Horace Mann, one of the great educators of the U.S. said: "Education...is the great equalizer of the conditions of men—the balance wheel of the social machinery...It does better than disarm the poor of their hostilities towards the rich; it prevents being poor."

Education, however, does much more than simply help eliminate poverty. It prepares youth to be better qualified missionaries—their education will help refine their learning and communication skills so they can become more influential teachers. Education will help produce parents more qualified to assist their children with their homework, and to bring culture and refinement into the home. Education will also provide someone with the skills and knowledge to pursue a vocation that can be both rewarding and a source of economic stability.

But most importantly, education will help us in our pursuit of Godhood. It will help us become like Him who is all-knowing, and thus, in the ultimate sense, education is a religious pursuit. It was Brigham Young who said: "Learn everything that the children of men know, and be prepared for the most refined society upon the face of the earth. Then improve on this until we are prepared and permitted to enter the society of the blessed – the holy angels, and dwell in the presence of God."

Education and learning have been encouraged by the Lord and His prophets since the beginning of time. The fruits of education are self-evident. We encourage all parents to help give their children a vision of education. We understand that some parents may be reluctant to do so because they need their children on the farm, or because they did not have a chance for a higher education and thus may not understand its importance, or they may be overwhelmed by the costs.

We recognize it may require some sacrifice on the part of parents to work a few more years so their children can go to school, it may require them to alter their home life and substitute some TV time for reading time; it may require "pioneering" on the part of youth to do what has never before been done in their family, and it may require youth to learn the art of discipline and to study diligently as never before, but that is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about—our willingness to pay whatever price is necessary to follow the commands of the Lord and the Brethren.

May we all follow the counsel of Jacob: "To be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God" (2 Nephi 9:29).