The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes incorrectly called the Mormon Church, is a strong believer in education. It operates a number of church schools and encourages its members to obtain all the education it can.
2 Nephi 9: 29 in the Book of Mormon says: “But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.” This means we mustn’t let our educations lead us astray, but if we can hold on to our testimonies and continue to obey God’s commandments, then education is a good thing for people to have. Our secular education should be balanced by spiritual education.
Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, is owned by the church. It began in 1875 as the Brigham Young Academy, with guidelines from the prophet Brigham Young to blend religion and academics. It became a university in 1903. There are now also campuses in Hawaii and Idaho, and a business college in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Following the church’s prohibition of alcohol, the school is consistently and famously ranked the number one stone-cold sober school in America by the Princeton Review. Less known is that it is also ranked by that same organization as having the most students who pray regularly.
On a more academic note, it is ranked number 79 for best national universities by U.S. News and World Report and 38th for best undergraduate business school.
Despite all of this, it might be best known for being the college of football legend Steve Young.
Since most members of the Church can’t attend a church-owned school, the Church operates seminary programs for teenagers and Institute of Religion programs for college students. Seminary is held in the morning before a student’s academic school day in most places and is a serious four-year course of study of the scriptures. There are two years on the Bible, one on the Book of Mormon, and one on modern day scripture and church history.
The Institute of Religion program is for college students and young adults. Where there are enough students in a school, the church operates a building by the campus where students attend classes and can relax and enjoy social activities with other church members and their guests. When there aren’t enough students, classes are offered in the evenings at local church buildings. Students can select from a variety of classes on scriptures, church doctrine, and spiritual applications for daily life.
In addition to these formal educational opportunities, members are encouraged to seek all the education they can, both formal and informal. The church remains neutral to homeschooling and some church members take the church’s charge to create a “house of learning” to the ultimate level and teach their children at home. Most members send their children to public or private schools in their community.
But always, in all this learning, is the reminder to use it well. Henry B. Eyring, a member of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “The thirst for education that comes with the change the gospel brings can be a blessing or a curse, depending on our motives. If we continue to seek learning to serve God and His children better, it is a blessing of great worth. If we begin to seek learning to exalt ourselves alone, it leads to selfishness and pride, which will take us away from eternal life.”– Henry B. Eyring, “Education for Real Life,” Ensign, Oct 2002, 14
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
