Mormon Theology no. 36 - Education

Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80 reads:

Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.

I will illustrate the rise of the educational spirit in the LDS Church, giving histories of the many institutions growing therefrom.

Education has had a vital role within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since the beginning.  In Kirtland, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph Smith was commanded by the Lord to establish what became known as The School of the Prophets (a forerunner to the Missionary Training Center).  This he did, and Parley P. Pratt was one of the first instructors.

Later down the road, when the Church fled Missouri to Illinois, a city was established called Nauvoo.  President Joseph Smith loved to learn (he was learning both Hebrew and German up until his murder).  So, in 1841, the University of the City of Nauvoo was founded.

This school was ambitious, with plans to offer classes in at least five languages (German, French, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew), mathematics, literature, history, geology, and chemistry.  One of the most popular instructors there was Elder Orson Pratt (People of Paradox: A History of Mormon Culture, p. 82-84).  After President Joseph Smith's murder, however, the school was dissolved, and the Mormons moved to the Great Basin, taking with them their love of learning.

Within three years of the settlement of what is now Utah, The Church of Jesus Christ established the University of Deseret, which later became the University of Utah.  Between 1850 and the turn of the Century, the LDS Church would establish many Stake Academies, which were secondary schools run by the Church because of lack of state-funded educational endeavors in the area.  With the firm entrenchment of regular school districts, high schools, and colleges that we know today, the LDS Church eventually sold off most of their schools, some of which would become state Universities and Colleges.  These include Bannock Stake Academy (BYU-Idaho), St. Joseph Stake Academy (Eastern Arizona College), St. George Stake Academy (Dixie State College), Weber Stake Academy (Weber State University), Brigham Young College (Utah State University), University of Deseret (University of Utah), and Sanpete Stake Academy (Snow College).  The LDS Church still owns three major Universities (BYU, BYU-I, and BYU-H), and one College (LDS Business College).  It also has High Schools throughout the Pacific and Mexico.

The Church of Jesus Christ is so invested in the education of her people, that there is a separate Board of Education and Board of Trustees (which boards oversee all educational endeavors, including BYU).  This Board consists of the First Presidency, three rotating members of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Steven E. Snow of the Seventy, and Sisters Julie B. Beck and Elaine S. Dalton.

The LDS Church stresses education so much because we believe the only thing we take with us into the Spirit World is our character  and knowledge.  It is written, "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  And 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 130:18-19).

These words of modern revelation agree meticulously with the words of the Bible, which read, "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. . . . Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:5,7).

Now, one can be educated without being wise.  I have met many an educated person, who unwisely disregard the words of modern-day revelation.  Jacob says, "Oh be wise; what can I say more" (Jacob 6:12).  That is they key - to be both wise and knowledgeable.  The best wisdom dictates that "to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God" (2 Nephi 9:29).  Knowledge, as they say, is indeed power, because the man more qualified with a degree will get a job, where one who does not have one, will not obtain.  So it is in spiritual matters; one who is knowledgeable in the scriptures will know how to be led by the Spirit of God, who will, if he is faithful and open to promptings, be led to the Kingdom of God, which is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I know that both secular and spiritual knowledge is important, and that we must study and pray hard for the knowledge we seek to come.  I know that the Lord wants us to have knowledge (both spiritual and secular), so that we might use it, ultimately, to bring forth His purposes.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

LDS Church Eliminates Student Wards and Stakes

The Deseret News reports that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is no longer using Student Stakes in exchange for Young Single Adult Stakes.  "Fifty-five years after it created its first student wards and stakes at BYU, the LDS Church is doing away with its 'student' unit designation.  And in its place are newly formed 'young single adult' wards and stakes throughout Utah as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reorganizes, realigns and renames its congregational units for Mormons ages 18 to 30."  This is a bold move for the LDS Church to make, but when brought into the light of the most recent General Conference, one sees why the move was made.  President Thomas S. Monson stated during the Conference, "There is a point at which it’s time to think seriously about marriage and to seek a companion with whom you want to spend eternity. If you choose wisely and if you are committed to the success of your marriage, there is nothing in this life which will bring you greater happiness. ("Priesthood Power", April 2011 General Conference)"

The Deseret News states that Student Wards that normally were located around college campuses will be replaced with Young Single Adult Wards and Stakes, so that there might be "all-encompassing young single adult wards and stakes for any Latter-day Saint — student or not — in the 18-to-30 age group."  This realignment will sometimes even alter a Ward's geographic boundary in order to encompass as many Young Single Adults as possible.

The new Young Single Adult Wards and Stakes will also receive renaming.  "Except in rare circumstances, young single adult wards stakes will not carry institutional names like BYU 5th Stake but rather city or other community-related names, such as Provo Utah 1st YSA Stake or Salt Lake City 10th YSA Ward."  The change is currently underway along the Wasatch Front, and could effect up to 90,000 Young Single Adults in Salt Lake and Davis Counties, as well as at least 65,000 Mormons in Utah County, the location of Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University.

Elder Steven E. Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy gave reason for the change.  He said,  

We hope it reduces confusion in their minds — where their priesthood leaders are, where they should go to church, where they should worship.  We hope it will provide enhanced opportunities to serve in leadership positions and to teach and lead. We hope it enhances their opportunities to meet other people and to give opportunities. And we want to deliver this opportunities in a geographic area and not require them to travel clear across the valley to attend church.

The Deseret News states that in areas where commuting to Church is a drive clear across the Valley (in order to attend the University of Utah Student Wards), now LDS Young Single Adults can attend Church near their home or apartment without the long drive.  

The transition began apparently as long as a year ago at Weber State University in Ogden, UT.  Changes similarly followed in St. George, Cedar City, and Ephraim, UT for Dixie State College, Southern Utah University, and Snow College, respectively.  Logan's Utah State University transitioned in August of 2010.  

A new facility will be located on 900 East in Provo to house Bishops' Offices for 48 new Young Single Adult Wards with additional facilities for four Young Single Adult Stakes.