Your Own Education…

Everyone is responsible for his own education. You can’t teach anyone who doesn’t want to learn, and you can’t stop anyone who does.

-Polly Horvath, “Northward to the Moon”

Virtuous and Lovely Examples

We must model that which is virtuous and lovely by our personal media choices. We must take care that the media we invite into our homes does not dull the sensitivity to the Spirit, harm relationships with our family and friends, or reveal personal priorities that are inconsistent with gospel principles. By example we can help our children understand that spending long periods of time using the Internet, social media, and cell phones; playing video games; or watching television keeps us from productive activities and valuable interactions with others.

-Mary N. Cook, 1^st Counselor in the General Young Women’s Presidency

You can always turn back…

Photo: Ben Romney, Europe

“If you are headed down the wrong road, no matter how far you’ve gone, you can always turn back.”

Laura Resau, “The Indigo Notebook”

The best thing is to learn...

“The best thing for disturbances of the spirit,” replied Merlyn, beginning to puff and blow, “is to learn. That is the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love and lose your moneys to a monster, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honor trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then – to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the poor mind can never distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the thing for you.”

-T.H. White, "Sword in the Stone"

Fatherhood

"Most men worry about succeeding in their life's work and spend much time and effort at their profession. But I've learned that the way to put one's professional life in order is to put one's personal life in order. How can we be adequate at anything professionally without being adequate as men, husbands, and fathers first?"

James E. Faust, "Brethren, Love Your Wives," Ensign, July 1981, 3

Good Books

Photo: Ben Romney, Europe

"Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly."
-Cornelia Funke, Inkheart

Through the Holy Ghost

Photo: Ben Romney, Europe

I testify that the way to know the truth about God is through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, is a personage of spirit. His work is to “testify of [God]”¹⁹ and to “teach [us] all things.”²⁰
-Robert D. Hales

Teaching Helps Save Lives

Photo: Ben Romney, Europe
(Highlights from "Teaching Helps Save Lives" by Russell T. Osguthorp)

As President Monson has taught: “The goal of gospel teaching . . . is not to ‘pour information’ into the minds of class members. . . . The aim is to inspire the individual to think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 107).

"...when a call comes, you accept it, no matter how inadequate you might feel."

[They] taught “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul” (D&C 121:41–42). They taught with virtue garnishing their thoughts, and because of that, the Holy Ghost was their constant companion.

Learning and teaching are not optional activities in the kingdom of God. They are the very means by which the gospel has been restored to the earth and by which we will gain eternal life. They provide the pathway to personal testimony. No one can be “saved in ignorance” (D&C 131:6).