JOSEPH SMITH JR.
God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker, and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees, until his mind is capable in some measure of comprehending the propriety, justice, equality, and consistency of the same.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith et al., Deseret Book Company, 1972, p. 5t.)
BRIGHAM YOUNG
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 that dwell in the presence of God ... (Journal of Discourses 16:77.)
JOHN TAYLOR
... We ought to foster education and intelligence of every kind; cultivate literary tastes, and men of literary and scientific talent should improve that talent; and all should magnify the gifts which God has given unto them.... If there is anything good and praiseworthy in morals, religion, science, or anything calculated to exalt and ennoble man, we are after it. But with all our getting, we want to ~get understanding, and that understanding which flows from God.
(G. Homer Durham, The Gospel Kingdom: Selections from the Wittings and Discourses of John Taylor, Bookcraft, 1943, p. 277.)
WILFORD WOODRUFF
... Do not be discouraged because you cannot learn all at once; learn one thing at a time, learn it well, and treasure it up, then learn another truth and treasure that up, and in a few years you will have a great store of useful knowledge which will not only be a great blessing to yourselves and your children, but to your fellow men.
(G. Homer Durham, Discourses of Wifford Woodruff, Bookcraft, 1969, p. 269.)
LORENZO SNOW
We ought to understand that we have espoused a system of religion that is calculated in its nature to increase
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within us wisdom and knowledge; ... the whole idea of Mormonism is improvement mentally, physically, morally, and spiritually. No half way education suffices for the Latter day Saint.
(The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, compiled by Clyde J. Williams, Bookcraft, t984, pp. 26 27.)
JOSEPH E SMITH
The mere stuffing of the mind with a knowledge of facts is not education. The mind must not only possess a knowledge of the truth, but the soul must revere it, cherish it, love it as a priceless gem; and this human life must be guided and shaped by it in order to fulfill its destiny. The mind should not only be charged with intelligence, but the soul should be filled with admiration and desire for pure intelligence which comes of a knowledge of the truth. The truth can only make him free who hath it and will continue in it. And the word of God is truth, and it will endure forever.
(Joseph E Smith, The Contributor 16:570, June 5, 1895.)
HEBER J. GRANT
All the knowledge in the world would not amount to anything unless we put that knowledge into actual practice. We are the architects and builders of our lives, and if we fail to put our knowledge into actual practice and do the duties that devolve upon us we are making a failure of life.
(Heber J. Grant, "Knowing and Doing," Improvement Era, June 1939, p. 329.)
GEORGE ALBERT SMITH
I want to say that The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints accepts all that is true in the world from whatever source it may come, with the knowledge that it originated with the greatest of all scientists, our Father in Heaven.
And so I congratulate the students of this great institution [BYU] to think that you have all advantages that the people of the world have, plus the advantages of faith in God, a belief in the power of our Heavenly
Father and His inspiration ...
(George Albert Smith, Groundbreaking Ceremonies, Physical Science Building, Brigham Young University, May 11, t 948, pp. 2, 4 5.)
DAVID 0. MCKAY
But gaining knowledge is one thing, and applying it [is] quite another. Wisdom is the fight application of knowledge, and true education the education for
which the Church stands is the application of knowledge to the development of a noble and Godlike
character.
(David 0. McKay, Conference Report, April 1968, pp. 93 94.)
JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH
Speaking from an eternal viewpoint, we hope to continue learning until we become like the Lord and know all things and have eternal life in his kingdom.
But even here and now, in this life, there are few things as important as proper education. As a Church and as a people, we have always been foremost in the warfare against ignorance and bigotry and lack of knowledge and understanding among men.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, BYU Campus Education Week Address, June 8, 1971, pp. 1 2.)
HAROLD B. LEE
We are sending you out as artists, scientists, teachers and philosophers. Will you never forget the theme of the lesson we are talking about, that you are but branches of a divine tree and that you of yourself, you can do nothing? All truths whether called science or religion, or philosophy, come from a divine source.
You, then, I plead with you, do not in your search for truth, allow yourselves to become severed from the
"vine." In all your learning, measure it and test it by the white light of truth revealed to the prophet of God and you will never be led astray.
(Harold B. Lee, Commencement Address, Brigham Young University, June 4, 1951, p. 19.)
SPENCER W. KIMBALL
Many in the secular world are often adrift and anchorless. Only an education which educates for eternity has the wholeness which humans need. When we separate learning from divine moral truth, it deteriorates into a restless, roving search for meaning and often drifts into a sensual selfishness.
(Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings, Church College of Hawaii, 1974, p. 387.)
EZRA TAFT BENSON
We hope that in your educational pursuits you will learn wisdom. Wisdom embraces the fundamentals of happiness and peace. Wisdom is not just learning, but intelligent application of learning. Wisdom implies good sense and judgment the ability to learn from past experience of others.
So I say again: Learn wisdom in your youth. Learn from the lives of individuals and nations of the past that happiness is the result of keeping God's commandments . . .
"Seek learning even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).
(Ezra Taft Benson, "Learn Wisdom in Thy Youth," Brigham Young University Devotional Address, December 11, 1983.)
HOWARD W. HUNTER
The scientific approach to proof is by experimentation in the laboratory ... We cannot overlook the great good this approach by science has upon the lives of persons, but how about those things which lie outside of the realm of positive, tangible proof? This question brings us to the higher law. It is through the assurance that comes from faith.... Thomas had said, "To see is to believe," but Christ answered, "To believe is to see."
(Howard W. Hunter, Conference Report, October 1962, p. 23.)
GORDON B. HINCKLEY
We live in a world where knowledge is developing at an ever-accelerating rate. Drink deeply from this ever-springing well of wisdom and human experience. If you should stop now, you will only stunt your intellectual and spiritual growth. Keep everlastingly at it. Read. Read, Read. Read the word of God in sacred books of scripture. Read from the great literature of the ages. Read what is being said in our day and time and what will be said in the future.
(Gordon B. Hinckley, Commencement Address, Brigham Young University, April 27, t995).
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