Value of True Education

Value of True Education BY EDITH E. SMITH

Education is the systematic development and cultivation of. the normal powers of intellect, feeling and conduct, so as to render them efficient in some particular pursuit, profession or vocation, or, for life in general. There are two grand divisions of education : the theoretical, and the practical. Theory teaches us the necessity and beauty of education. Practice demonstrates to us the utility and value of it, and how best to apply it in the activities of life. Practice leads to the doing of the things themselves, taking from the basic themes of theory the principles which reproduce in substance the real facts. Both theory and practice are useful, and, in a matter of scientific relation, one is not with- — out the other they are interdependent. However, true education does not apply to book-learning alone. We may be well versed in book-lore, having assimilated all we have read and having received all the degrees usually given in colleges and universities, and yet be impractical and utterly incapable of using the theoi etical knowledge thus obtained. There is a proverb which says : "We learn to do by doing," but this is true only when the thing undertaken is intelligently done. We shall make very little or no progress in our labor, if the thing we do be repeated always in a half-hearted or incorrect way. There must be intelligent application of our theories, or our learning will be in vain. Another well-known proverb says "Practice :

makes perfect ;" yes, providing that in our practice we employ the needed wisdom and by the necessary application correct our mistakes so far as possible in each succeeding attempt. Otherwise practice may, instead of helping us to reach the goal of perfection at which we aim, bind upon us with bands like steel, evil habits that cannot be readily broken, but which become the stronger at each repetition. It remains to be seen how each of us may apply or use the knowledge we have received while attending school. The way has been faithfully pointed out by our teachers, in the daily pursuit of our studies. We may discern, though dimly, in the vision of the future, the many opportunities that will present themselves,in which we may put into practice, for the betterment of mankind, the knowledge of the truths we have acquired. Let us

Valedictory address, class of 1914, Latter-day Saints University, Salt Lake City.

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64 IMPROVEMENT ERA ever keep in mind the inspiring motto adopted by onr school "The glory of God is intelligence." "Knowledge is power," but while this is true, if our knowledge be used for the advancement of evil, and the power gained through our knowledge be turned to the destruction of the liberties of others, or the overthrow of truth, great shall be the condemnation that shall follow. Knowledge is not given us to be abused, or for the oppression of our fellows, but to bring to pass our own advancement and exaltation, both here and hereafter, and to aid us in helping others to attain the same worthy end. An exaltation that is everlasting can be gained only in harmony with principles of fundamental truth and by obedience to them. No education will lead to perfection without abiding faith in God. For the ways of the Lord are not discerned by the spirit of man, but, as Paul said : "The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can ; ;

he know them because they are spiritually discerned." (I Cor. 2:14.) This important fact has been lost sight of in the world. The course of study as outlined in the leading colleges of our land, discards the most essential feature of a truly liberal education faith in our Creator and the acknowledgment of his handiwork so abundantly manifest throughout the universe. Men are trained today to search out things wholly by and through the wisdom of man. They reject the help so freely offered by the MasterTeacher to all who earnestly and prayerfully seek Him, and they are therefore "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Modern education, as it is imparted in many schools, deals almost exclusively with the intellectual and physical development of man. The training of the intellect may develop great ability in man in various directions. He may rise to great prominence in the world, be honored because of the accuracy of h s judgment and his superior mental conceptions. He may attain :

exceptional power to command or direct in the world's great movements, or become distinguished as a genius among his fellows for his masterful talent as an inventor, a discoverer of hidden secrets invaluable to the world or as a surgeon, become so skilled ;

in the use of the scalpel as to startle mankind by the wonderful operations he performs. Yet, he may be utterly devoid of moral and religious training, and totally lacking in spirituality or faith in God therefore intellectual development alone is not true edu- ;

cation. Moral education, while good and worthy, is also lacking if not coupled with faith in the Lord and acceptance of all his laws. A man may be strictly moral, that is, living in harmony with the moral code he may be honest, truthful, virtuous he may re- ; ;

spect the rights of others, be a good neighbor and citizen, be

VAI.L'K of TRUE KDUCATION 65

guilty of no wrong-doing, particularly, and yet not accomplish much that is good. [e may do all this and still he a non-believer 1

in Divine Providence, rejecting the higher laws by which salvation is attained. In the words of the Savior, having "omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith" which he "ought to have done and not leave the others undone." — The essential characteristics of a true education the parts that are vital, and hence most valuable and most earnestly to be desired,— have been eliminated from many schools, and many foolish theories have been substituted in their stead. This modern intellectual education, in which the spiritual is never found and the moral seldom found, may develop men of exceptional strength in all worldly pursuits, but it will, while doing so, make of them agnostics or worse. It has the tendency to develop in their minds a profound regard for the absurd theories of materialistic evolution, which contradict and belittle the revealed truth of the divine origin of man it may develop in them a deep-seated contempt ;

for the miraculous declarations of the Scriptures, and the inclination to ridicule the revealed word of the Lord. But it will never develop in their souls abiding faith in God, and therefore, like the man-made wisdom of the mighty, it shall perish from the earth. Physical strength and perfections of form, will not bring man unto his Redeemer. Moral education will not save him, and the intellectual, if not controlled and guided in the proper channel, may prove to him a curse. The spiritual development must be coupled and inter-linked with these to bring to pass a perfect education. It is far better to be guided humbly by the Spirit of the Lord, who will show us things to come who will guide us ;

into all truth and teach us the things of the Father than to be ; ;

renowned among the children of men, and to accept homage from them merely because of our great learning. We should be thankful, indeed, for the privilege presented to us in being instructed in a school where the fear of the Lord can be found, and the various branches leading to a perfect education are imparted. True education broadens our views and creates a desire to be of service to humanity. It creates in us reverence for things divine, and causes us to forget our natural selfishness and seek only the real and worthy things in life. It enables us to see the beauty and blessings in the handiwork of the Creator, and in humble thankfulness to bow- before his infinite intelligence and wisdom, and with grateful hearts acknowledge his everlasting power. It makes us obedient to his will, for we realize, with the Psalmist, that justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne, and mercy and truth go before his face. "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: They shall walk, OLord, in the light of thy countenance." True education leads to unselfish service in the interest of

66 IMPROVEMENT ERA mankind. There is no greater, no nobler, work than to labor for the uplift of our fellow men. There is no joy equal to that which comes from the knowledge that we have been of useful service in the reclamation or betterment of the world. Our Heavenly Father and his beloved Son, have given us the best example of this truth. Weread :"For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And the sacrifice thus .

offered in our behalf, has made it possible for us, through the proper application of our time and humble obedience to the divine will made manifest in the world, eventually to attain the goal of ultimate perfection. Such result, it is true, cannot be accomplished while mortal life endures, but since here we lay the foundation on which our eternal career shall rest, it behooves us one and all, to lay the foundation strong and deep in principles of everlasting truth. We are informed that the knowledge we attain unto in this life will rise with us in the resurrection from the dead, and the greater the knowledge we obtain, provided it be joined with righteousness, the greater will be our advantage in the world to come. And thus may we go on step by step, until, as the redeemed sons and daughters of God, we shall "receive of his fulness and of his glory." Then shall we realize the fulfilment of the Savior's commandment "Be ye therefore perfect, even :

as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." David Starr Jordan says : "The whole of your life is spent in your own company, and only the educated man is good company for himself. Ayoung man or woman who is aiming at nothing, is already dead." If the education be based on correct principles, this is true. This does not mean that a person must spend all his life in school. His education may be limited, but if he is able to put into practice the things which he knows are right and needful, he is not only good company for himself, but fit for the companionship of the mighty. Many great men who were truly educated, were denied the privilege of attending school. A striking illustration of this is found in the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was not taught in the public schools or colleges but who will say that he ;

was not truly educated ? He was taught by the greatest Teacher of all, and his wisdom far surpassed the understanding of his day. Yes, even now, we comprehend but a small portion of what the Lord revealed to him. It is true that ignorance, like sin, is death, for, said the Lord through this servant of the latter-day dispensation "It is im- :

possible for a man to be saved in ignorance." Let us, therefore, not think that after a few brief years in school, our education is practically completed. We stand to day barely on the threshold of higher and nobler things. Our educa-

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tion has scarcely begun. Some of us may go from here to take up grave duties in the battle of life. Others may seek further knowledge in higher schools of learning. Whatever it be that we undertake, let us see to it that the foundation on which we build is well laid, that the structure we rear shall be everlasting. And, remember, that which is not built on truth shall be thrown down and perish for in the consummation of all things, only the ;

truth, like pure gold refined in the fire and tried in the crucible, shall remain. "For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared with it. I,

wisdom, shall dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge with witty invention. * * I love them that love me and those that ;

seek me early shall find me. Riches and honor are with me, yea, durable riches and r'ghteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold and my revenue than choice silver. ; I lead in

the way of righteousness, and in the midst of the paths of judgment, that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures." So said Solomon, the wise king of Israel. Therefore, let wisdom be our portion and let all our learning be founded on the everlasting Truth, that we may be strong to resist evil and overcome the foolish things of the world. The class of 1914 can in no better way express their feelings on leaving this school than by repeating the following verse "We have feelings of sadness and longing . That are not akin to pain, But resemble sorrow only As the mist resembles rain." We thank you, our teachers, with the deepest feelings of appreciation, for the manifold blessings which we have been the recipients of at your hands, for the unselfish devotion to our interests and well-being and, above all, for the wonderful spiritual ;

uplift which has always characterized every department of our school.

Vocation Supervisor W. S. Burton to the left; center and right, Orson Raymond and Orson Raymond Jr., Menan, Idaho.