Importance Of Self Reliance

The topic for this month is spiritual and temporal self-reliance, so I chose to talk about the importance of education and how it plays into self-reliance.

In D&C 130:18 we read: “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” Education is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan to help us become more like him. He wants us to educate ourselves and to develop our skills and talents. The education we gain during this life will be valuable to us during this mortality and in the life to come.

Benjamin Franklin once said: an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. Education prepares us for greater service in the world and in the Church. It will help us to better provide for

O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.” The people spoken of in this scripture do not recognize the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put the tomato in in a fruit salad. To be learned is good if we hearken to the counsels of the lord, rather than rely solely on our own

Some are new, some are old. Some of these perils are contrary to God’s purposes and are championed by persuasive people possessing more ability than morality, more knowledge than wisdom. I would like to ask you the rhetorical question “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” Wisdom is to be found in pure intelligence—in that divine light which can guide people in all countries, all climes, and all continents. President Thomas S. Monson said: “Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. … I urge you to pursue your education and learn marketable skills so that, should such a situation arise, you are prepared to provide.” We need to seek learning by faith. We do this as we diligently gain spiritual knowledge through prayer, scripture study, and obedience and as we seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost, who testifies of all truth. If we do our part to gain knowledge, the Holy Ghost can enlighten your minds. In addition to educating ourselves in temporal things, spiritual preparation is vital, and must be achieved individually. The parable of the ten virgins teaches this principle well. The ten virgins were invited to escort the bridegroom into a feast, but only the five wise virgins were prepared with oil in their