Thoughts about Education

Ok, so you're probably getting tired of quotes from this book I'm reading, but I want to keep a record of this and I really want to share my beliefs, so read if you are interested, if there is anyone even reading this, haha. :)

Karl G. Maeser said this:
"I told the students, that Joseph Smith taught his people correct principles and they governed themselves accordingly--this is the leading principle of discipline ... and the words of President Brigham Young, that neither the alphabet nor the multiplication table were to be taught without the the Spirit of God--is the mainspring of all education."

According to Maeser, this "was the orientation for the course of the educational system inaugurated by the foundation of the Academy." In his view, "any deviation from [these principles will] lead inevitably to disastrous results.

And if you really want to keep reading, this next quote is very long, I had to read it a couple of times, but I love it. I love getting to know a little of what past prophets were like. This is a quote from Joseph F. Smith, (remember the F.!) I'm primary chorister, we've been singing this song lately. :)

"I have always contended that while secular education was laudable, desirable and necessary; that it adds to the sum of human happiness and human enjoyment and usefulness to be acquainted with the arts and sciences, enabling man to cope with the world, and often brings him success in the battle of life, yet it is all of this life, and is not to be compared with the importance of gaining knowledge of God, and of that science which as immortal beings we can take with us beyond the veil.
The knowledge of God, and of his son Jesus Christ...is the first and last lesson of life, and this has always been my opinion. It is very desirable to understand the principles of civil government, the sciences and arts, and be filled with the wisdom of men, but after all it is but the tools by which we earn our bread and butter. There is a certain degree of ambition in it, love of power, and opportunity to exert influence and enables us to move in goodly appearance, but when it is all summed up, worldly gain is the incentive.
I greatly commend even this secular education, and the benefits which its right use bestows in the human family, and the delight which a moral and educated people must be to holy beings, but if we learned everything which human knowledge can compass, and it enabled us to grasp the riches of the world we could only embrace their delight, and enjoy their possession for a short time. Then comes death, and we leave the result of the labors of our lives to others, taking nothing with us. If we only have hope in this world, and the things of this world, then, indeed, are we the most miserable of all God's creatures."

I believe my responsibility as a mother is to help my children gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and a knowledge of the Plan that our Heavenly Father has for us so we can return to Him. I know as I help instill this in them, they will have a desire to learn other truths in the form of Science, Arts and Math.

This is a road not traveled by many, but more and more are following it. It is exciting and makes my role as Mother, Wife and Daughter of Heavenly Father more meaningful to me.