Dear Relief Society Sisters -
Here is a copy of the hand out from the class today. Later, I will see about posting all of my notes, and perhaps a few more links to resources for open (free) learning courses.
I hope to hear from some of you soon - I would love to help you begin to set up learning plan of your own.
Smooches -
M.
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The Glory of God is Intelligence
Ft.
Walton Beach Stake Relief Society Conference
February
25, 2012
“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)
"You belong to a church that
teaches the importance of education. You
have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your hearts and your
hands. . . . There can be no doubt, none whatever, that education pays. Do
not short-circuit your lives. If you do so, you will pay for it over and over
and over again." —Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Jan. 2001.
"Because of our sacred regard for
each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a
religious responsibility. . . . Our
Creator expects His children everywhere to educate themselves." —Russell M. Nelson, Ensign,
Nov. 1992, emphasis added
Seven Secrets I Learned on the Way To A PhD
1.
It’s About
Fire Building, not Just Bucket Filling
a.
“The glory of god is intelligence, or in other
words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one.” (D&C 96:
36-37)
2.
Unlearning leads to Real Learning
a.
“Curiosity is the very basis of education and if
you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I say only the cat died nobly.” -
Arnold Edinborough
3.
Lifelong
learning is Exactly That: Lifelong
a.
“I believe
in the pursuit of education. What is education? Reduced to its most simplistic
definition it is the training of the mind and the body. . . . It is something
that need never stop—no matter how old we grow we can acquire knowledge and use
it. We can gather wisdom and profit from it.”
—Teachings of
Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 170
b.
“Learning is not achieved by chance, it must be
sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” – Abigail Adams
c.
"The day you
stop learning is the day you begin decaying." ~ Isaac Asimov
4.
Get Online
and Go Places for Free While in Your Bunny Slippers
5.
Hie Thee to
the Library, Girl: Books are still your best friend
a.
“Seek ye diligently and teach one another words
of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning,
even by study and also by faith.” (D&C
88:118.)
b.
“If you don’t read, you have no advantage over
those who cannot read”
c.
If the library doesn’t have it, use the
InterLibraryLoan system (ILL)
d.
Build a family library of classics. Read them
with & to your children
6.
It’s Not
About Benjamins and Alphabet Soup (But it is, sort of)
a.
“The Lord and His Church have always encouraged
education to increase our ability to serve Him and our Heavenly Father’s children.
For each of us, whatever our talents, He has service for us to give. And to do
it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited time, but
continually.” (Henry B. Eyring, New Era, April
2009)
b.
“You need all the education you can get.
Sacrifice a car; sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify
yourselves to do the work of the world. That would will in large measure pay
you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain
education and proficiency in your chosen field.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign,
Jan 2001)
7.
Explore,
But Don’t Wander
a.
“Spiritual learning comes first, but is clear
that putting spiritual learning first does not relieve us from learning secular
things. On the contrary, it gives our secular learning purpose and motivates us
to work harder at it.” (Henry B. Eyring, Ensign,
October 2002).
b.
“True learning must have a powerful spiritual
component. That spiritual element, when it is effective, refines and uplifts
the aims of our total education. . . . Remember, you are interested in
education, not just for mortal life but for eternal life. When you see that
reality clearly, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the
secular learning. In fact, you will work harder at your secular learning than
you would without that spiritual vision.” Henry B. Eyring, New Era, April 2009)
Become
a Lifelong Learner: You Can Take it With You!
(Or
in Other Words, More Good News from the Gospel of Jesus Christ)
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it
away from you.”
~ B.B. King
1.
Develop a plan in consultation with the Father
a.
What makes your heart sing?
b.
What skills would bless your family, ward, or
community the most?
c.
What resonates with your values and goals? (do
you have values and goals? – another class for another day!)
d.
Don’t be afraid of the big learning projects
that God might ask you to do. Be Nephi – if you don’t know where to begin, ask
to be led to the ore so you can make the tools you need to build the boat.
e.
Write it down – keep a “To Learn” list
2.
Set aside a dedicated learning time.
a.
Most of us can find 15-30 minutes a day
3.
Identify community resources and groups
a.
Face to face vs. Online
b.
Formal education vs. Self-directed
c.
Groups, guilds, and clubs
d.
Find a mentor, guide, or coach: Most people who
are true experts LOVE sharing their knowledge with others. L.O.V.E. it. Don’t
be afraid to ask!
4.
Read about it, write about it, DO IT, share it.
5.
Rinse and repeat
