Secular and Spiritual Learning
Mormons have long been supporters of education, both secular and spiritual. Joseph Smith organized adult education schools to further both his own learning, since he’d had little schooling, and the learning of others. Mormon pioneers opened schools even before they were completely settled into Utah. Today, Brigham Young University is recognized as a quality school. Education is a key factor in the Mormon faith.
However, while counseling its members to get all the education they can, both formal and self-directed education, they counsel them to keep their priorities in order.
In the Bible, Jesus commanded his followers to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) This suggests an appropriate pattern for our learning: First learn spiritual things, and then learn secular things. This doesn’t mean we have to put off secular learning until we’ve mastered the gospel. It means to make sure we don’t neglect our spiritual educations while achieving our secular education. When we have a firm foundation in spiritual knowledge, we are better able to discern truth from falsehood in our secular studies.
Henry B. Eyring taught: “Our first priority should go to spiritual learning. For us, reading the scriptures would come
before reading history books. Prayer would come before memorizing those Spanish verbs. A temple recommend would be worth more than standing first in our graduating class. But it is also clear that spiritual learning would not replace our drive for secular learning.
The Lord clearly values what you will find in that history book. And He favors not only Spanish verbs but also the study of geography. His educational charter requires that we have “a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms” (D&C 88:79). There is also an endorsement for questions we study in the sciences. It is clear that putting spiritual learning first does not relieve us from learning secular things. On the contrary, it gives our secular learning purpose and motivates us to work harder at it.
To keep spiritual learning in its proper place, we will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time. But there should never be a conscious choice to let the spiritual become secondary. Never. That will lead to tragedy. Remember, you are interested in education, not just for mortal life but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning. In fact, you will work harder at your secular learning than you would without that spiritual vision”
Mormon beliefs assure us we can take with us when we die what is in our hearts and what is in our minds. The knowledge we gain today will go with us into our eternal lives, and this should influence what knowledge we choose to gain. Knowledge that will help others live better lives on earth and knowledge that will be valuable in heaven are likely to be the most valuable types of education. Hours spent memorizing batting averages probably has very little value in either life, but finding out how to save a life in an emergency has great value in our earthly life. Memorizing scriptures will serve us both here and in heaven.
A secular education is important in furthering the Mormon teachings of self-reliance. Education in childhood, whether gained through a traditional school or a homeschool (the church is neutral on homeschooling) prepares a child for adulthood and college. A formal college education gives a person the credentials society currently requires to obtain good employment and can increase the likelihood of a family being able to support itself and of being able to earn enough money that the mother in a two-parent home will be able to remain home with the children.
Mormons are encouraged to create a habit of life-long learning in both secular and spiritual matters. It’s important, therefore, to teach children how to be self-directed learners.
When my children were young homeschoolers, they overheard a woman complaining that she’d always wanted to learn history, but couldn’t because she couldn’t go to school right now. On our way home, they asked, completely baffled, why the woman thought you could only learn history in a school. They were learning history right at home. Whether or not a child is homeschooled, they must learn how to learn. They should be filled with joy at the thought of learning something, not for a grade, or candy, or a reward, but for the pure joy of learning. If they don’t get this at school, they must get it at home. Help them find fun educational books to enjoy in their spare time, carry out science experiments that don’t “count” and memorize poetry. Then, whether or not their lives are currently allowing them to attend school, their adult lives will be filled with learning.
It can be challenging, in a busy life, to find time for learning. Often, goal oriented people will push aside spiritual learning to make more time to learn what they need for school or work. Mormons often study their scriptures first thing in the morning, before the challenges of the day begin to intrude. This literally puts spiritual learning first. During the course of a day, they might put on a talk by a church leader to listen to as they do housework, or read a spiritual book during lunch.
Secular learning can also be fit into a busy day. A poem taped over the sink can be memorized while the dishes are washed. A book on tape can educate during the morning commute. An ordinary conversation can provide an introduction to a new topic. When you meet someone new, find out what they know best and begin asking questions. Most people love to talk about their passions and a fifteen minute conversation can educate you in an entirely new field.
Periodically evaluate the types of learning you are doing. Are you achieving a balance? If you’re spending six hours a day on secular learning, it is wise to include more than fifteen minutes of spiritual learning into the day. Is there a way to blend the spiritual and the secular? For instance, when I taught my children ancient history during our homeschool, we combined it with Old Testament reading and the two types of learning complemented each other and increased our learning in both the secular and the spiritual. Someone studying medicine in college might supplement that with God’s teachings on health. A mother who is immersing herself in child development books might also read articles by church leaders on parenting. The two types of learning do not have to be placed into separate boxes and isolated from each other. Blend the two and achieve a richer and fuller education.
Preparedness or Panic
Filed under: 72-Hour Kits, Disaster Preparedness, Educational Preparedness, Personal Preparedness, Preparedness Basics, Preparedness Perspective, Spiritual Preparedness
In the last few weeks it only took having news releases become news reports with the mention of one word for consumers to go bananas as they headed for the grocery store.(pun intended). The word? Ration!
There had been rumors and reports for weeks, even months, about food shortages in war torn countries. We read reports of greedy warlords keeping food supplies from reaching starving citizens.
And of course there were all of the political pundits and rhetoric about “the other” candidate’s party being the cause of escalating prices and out-of-site, soaring oil prices causing more shortages, including foods.
Within an extremely short time panic had hit the checkout and suddenly many, many people were intensely interested. Not necessarily in a preparedness program, but above all they wanted to get their share of the rice and flour that was no longer going to be available – because of the threat of rationing. And the rationing was immediately accomplished in the stores by cardboard signs proclaiming “LIMIT” 2 – 20# BAGS PER CUSTOMER.” Bags of rice and flour, stacked on carts, were being brought into the store. My husband and I witnessed 20-pound bags of rice, which the week before had cost $3.69, whisked off the cart as people jostled to make sure they got their two bags at $11.99 each! That weekend, just such a short time ago, the same scene played out in every supermarket that we went into, the shelves were depleted of flour and rice.
Of course my warped sense of humor came into play and I thought about all of these many, many customers who had been convinced to load up on lots of rice and flour at highly inflated prices. I wondered what they were going to be able to do with excessive amounts of just rice and flour, especially if the foods they previously purchased had been mostly prepared or partially prepared convenience foods.
Which brings me to the point! Is it Preparedness or Panic? I would suggest that many of those who bought as much rice and flour as they could, bought with a sincerity of heart, but not too much common sense. I would also suggest that fear, driven by marketing strategies is what caused many of those substantial purchases.
Some of you could be thinking, “Well, Barbara, at least something is better than nothing! After all they were trying!” Yes – sort of.
Let me offer a few insights to help if any of you are caught in the position of wanting to buy; knowing that you need to buy, and in many instances feeling pressured because of the headlines and the resulting, rampant tidal wave of panic.
First, be knowledgeable about what you or your family can or can’t eat. Just because a food is being promoted or someone says it is good for you does not mean you should buy it. There is a rule of thumb that must be followed – don’t buy just to be buying, especially when it comes to food! Always consider allergies, food triggers or other dietary problems such as diabetes before
stocking–up.
Next, if you are counting on having a small amount of money or a set amount of money to purchase preparedness items, such as a tax return do not spend it all on one or two items. Stretch it as far as it will go. Stretch it until screams. Remember, according to Barbara, the thrill of the hunt and finding the best way to stock your cupboard is sometimes one of the “best parts” of preparedness.
Variety is a key word. You will hear this emphasized over and over in my blogs. Plan on paper how to stretch your buying power. Rather than buying two 20-pound bags of rice, buy one 10-pound bag rice, some flour, some seasonings, some canned tomato sauce, a small bag of lentils and a few cans of cream soups, as well as some oil and sugar. Or after thinking about it, make your own list. A sufficient amount of a variety of foods could be put back so that you could do more than exist on boiled grain should an emergency arise.
Remember, it is not meant to be food–storage! Make sure that you and your family will consider whatever foods you buy now as edible when you need to eat it. If not it is a total waste of money – and food.
Yes, you must store them, as in take care of them properly. But don’t store them – or just keep them – with the attitude that they can be an inheritance for your great grandchildren. You can be in big trouble if you buy foods to store but not to eat.
If you purchase foods to store, of course, you can always stash them under the bed where the dust bunnies roam. Soon the nests of bunnies can be joined by the colonies of weevil and there will be a regular zoo under there. But … you will have stored your supply.
Another most important point is that you want a preparedness program, not just food! What kind of equipment do you need? What other areas will leave you in the dark if you have not prepared adequately.
We have been taught that even in Book of Mormon days that provisions were required, not just food. . In 1 Nephi 18:6 we read, “ … After we had prepared all things, much fruit and meat from the wilderness and honey in abundance, and provisions according to that which the Lord had commanded us, we did go down into the ship …”
Listen to the news, but more importantly listen to the prophet and plan your preparedness.
And almost as important, remember the chocolate!
Pending Layoffs? Never Fear, A Current Resume Is Here!
Being caught with an out-of-date resume is not a pleasant experience. But normally it would not matter … unless you’ve just been laid off.
That is why it is important that you stay on top of keeping your resume current. Not a fun job, perhaps, but your future job just may rely on it.
Here are a few tips and ideas to help you complete this task – not only once, but consistently. And before we get to the tips, just know that my family has faced this situation not once, but twice.
Both of my husband’s layoffs came as a surprise to us. Even with word of pending layoffs, my husband had been guaranteed his job would not be impacted. Well, apparently in this life there are no guarantees, because both times his job was swallowed up in the gaping hole that submerged all the other newly un-employed individuals.
Quicker than he could mouth the word, “What?,” he then faced dusting off his resume to bring it up-to-date. Both times it was a laborious process, because it wasn’t something he’d thought about much. Now we know better and he at least yearly revisits the thing. But in this world, perhaps even yearly is not enough to keep a resume vibrant and current.
Thus, here are a few suggestions to help you keep your resume current.
1) Find sample resume books.
Constructing a current resume need not be hard. Why re-create the wheel? If you want to be prepared (and being prepared includes job preparedness), at least once a year check out a few resume books. There are many different kinds in libraries and in book stores. Glance through them and decide if you would like to adjust the format of yours. Take one hour on a Saturday yearly to do so – and voila! That part is done!
2) Talk with others.
Ask others what they’ve felt to be most impact-full in the format of their resumes. Invite feedback from others. Host a resume swap party where those you trust all come for treats and a chance to inspect each other’s resumes and share constructive criticism. Make it simple. Use the approach, “Each one brings one.” In other words, don’t have people bring multiple copies of their resumes; each person just brings one copy to pass around and for people to make notes on.
You might be surprised just how effective this can be. Book authors don’t get a book published without an editor making essential tweaks; why let your job rest on your thoughts alone? Instead, make use of good friends and family members to help edit this all important document. You never know when you might need it desperately to bring in your next job.
3) Get a journal and keep it.
On the last Saturday of the month, set aside an early hour in the day before everyone else is awake. Treat yourself to donuts and while enjoying them, jot down any new job assignments you received in the past month. Also, record any completed responsibilities you feel particularly good about. You know what they say: “Little by little soon becomes a lot.” Nowhere is this more evident than over time: in monthly installments, record your successes from your place of employment (even if self-employed). Then when your yearly “resume date” rolls around (see step #1), you’ll have much to expand or add to your resume.
Again, little by little soon becomes a lot. One might remain in their job for decades. But as most modern-day employees know, those pink slips can show up at annoyingly and frighteningly difficult times. But now you’ll be ready!
Oh, that other aspects of preparedness could be this easy!
(Not only will this activity help you keep a dynamic resume, but it also will help you in your yearly review with your employer.)