Secular Education / Higher Education (part 2)

Ironically, many refuse to examine gospel truths simply because of how God reveals them. These very methods swell skepticism among many. “Furthermore, these divine disclosures are not democratically dispensed” (Maxwell) because such things are "made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works" (Alma 12:30; see also 2 Nephi 1:10).  This self-limits a huge part of the population.

In eternity, when the faithful receive "all that [the] Father hath," this will include an enormous enlargement intellectually (D & C 84:38).

Sadly, when people are left alone--without angelic visitations, without divine disclosures, without prophets, without scriptures, without the Holy Spirit--many cease believing. Belief in Gospel fundamentals is the first thing to go, as happened with Book of Mormon peoples who ceased believing in God, in the resurrection, and in a redeeming Christ, and therefore in repentance, and forgiveness, and in Faith, Hope, and Charity (Omni 1:17; Mosiah 26:2).  Confirmation follows faith and belief; it does not precede it.  

Many in the world hold back from making the "leap of faith" because they have already jumped to some other conclusions--often what the Book of Mormon calls the Korihor conclusions, which are: God never was nor ever will be; there is no redeeming Christ; man cannot know the future; man cannot know of that which he cannot see; whatsoever a man does is no crime; and death is the end (see Alma 30:13-­18).  

When so positioned, many mortals do not accept an invitation to explore the fullness of the Gospel of Christ which is the highest education and which challenges many secular assumptions.  Their reactions to the Gospel range from indifference to contempt. Happily, there are some who are meek enough to consider that which they have "never considered" and "never had supposed" (D & C 101:94; Moses 1:10). 

We who have made the ‘leap of faith’ and become immersed in the gospel framework sometimes fail to appreciate and take for granted how illuminating gospel truths are with regard to so many issues of the day. For instance, given the Plan of Salvation with our need to experience this probationary mortal school, to acquire a mortal body, and then knowing the very preciousness of human life--we see the awful practice of widespread abortion differently than many of the liberal element. Similarly, struggling to have the "mind of Christ" includes purity of thought and “letting virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly.” Hence we view pornography as a love-killing, distorted, enslaving thing. Likewise we cannot feel otherwise concerning such practices as licentious or violent entertainment  and blatant homosexuality even if these and other deviant sexual practices are or may become legally protected.

Education that is only "for a season" is narrow; it pertains only to a knowledge of things as they temporarily are, like today's weather forecast or an airline schedule or current fashion trends.  “Temporary facts are useful but terminal.” (Maxwell) Even an Ivy-League education will get us only so far. 

Thus our consuming of certain information is like consuming our daily bread. We need it (if it is not poisonous) but it is of temporary value and taken alone does not provide a balanced diet. We will soon hunger again (see John 6:47­-48, 51). Instead, the Bread of Life is not only satisfying, but it is inexhaustible.

Ultimate wisdom enables us to see Jesus as the Light of the World, but, further, we also come to realize that it is by His light that we are to see everything else. (C. S. Lewis) The Gospel's bright and illuminating light thereby helps us see God, ourselves, others, the world, and the universe more correctly and more deeply. Indeed, as Paul declared, "in [Christ] all things hold together" (RSV, Colossians 1:17). 

For now, though we can mercifully see something of our eventual possibilities, you and I are aware of our present limitations.  “For now we see through a glass darkly” and we should not forget it (1^st Corinthians 13:12).  So, “Is that all there is to life?” asks singer Judy Collins.  Having matriculated in an Eternal education I respond with a resounding, ‘No!

 Finally,  I submit that you and I should be fully qualified and certified both in traditional education and its processes and in ‘higher education’ as I have defined it for yet another very good reason: bilinguality. The men and women of Christ should be truly educated and articulate as to secular knowledge, but should also be educated and articulate in the things of the Spirit—in an education for Eternity.  For it is the Spirit that giveth Life—and that more abundantly.  It also gives a greatly expanded worldview.

It is for this I am grateful and to this that I aspire.  

(I am indebted to Elder Neal A. Maxwell, late of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for his B.Y.U. Campus Education Week 1992 keynote address, of which I listened and took careful notes.  It was his address which inspired me to discuss this topic and for providing a number of insightful thoughts and quotations.)