From its earliest days, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been a big proponent of education and ongoing literacy programs. From humble beginnings in places like the Newel K. Whitney Store, whose small upstairs room held the School of the Prophets, to today’s vast campuses at Brigham Young University, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, LDS Business College and more, there is no denying the Church’s commitment to world-class education.

Worldwide Church Education System seminary and institute programs, plus the ongoing curriculum for Sunday church lessons and the wildly successful private foundation for the Perpetual Education Fund extend the reach of gospel, scholarly and technical knowledge around the globe.

When you consider the proportional amount of the Church’s tithing funds that are spent on education, you see that the Church is filling that mandate by the Lord that “the glory of God is intelligence” (D&C 93: 36). In fact, the Lord commands the Saints to “hasten to translate my scriptures, and to obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the foundation of Zion” (D&C 93: 53).

We would all do well to take stock of our educational situation. Perhaps an institute class is in order, or a gardening class, or a new book, or a fresh plan to better teach the kids at home. Whatever your situation, make an effort to stretch your mind and soul this fall, that you may enjoy more of “the glory of God.”

All the best,

Editor@DesertSaintsMagazine.com