Active Learners

Recently, I read these verses at the end of 2 Nephi Chapter 28:

29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we ^aneed ^bno more of the word of God, for we have enough!
30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon ^aprecept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn ^bwisdom; for unto him that ^creceiveth I will give ^dmore; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. {emphasis added}

I really like these verses because it reminds me to never stop learning. It is not enough to say, "okay, I think I've learned enough about the gospel or I think I've learned all about Chemistry." When we start thinking that, we are in trouble because we won't have the capacity to learn and grow more.

If we are to become eternal beings, we need to recognize the importance of knowledge. Learning and gaining knowledge is a process. If we don't use our agency to choose to learn and grow, we won't continue on the path towards greater knowledge. Knowledge isn't going to be forced upon us; just like everything else, we have the right to choose, to act.

I've always loved this thought; being a teacher and all. We need to be active learners and seekers, so--- I say to us all--- go and seek out the best books and gain some knowledge!

Life Long Learning

I suppose I should introduce myself as well. I can be a lemming in this case, it's alright.

I am Amy Grondahl (Tricia put down that I am Amy H, but not really, it is Amy G). I am 5'7" with dark brown curly hair, bright changing eyes, and a shy dimple when I smile. I like anything that has to do with the mountains, dancing, reading, lots and lots of music, laughter, my hubby (who generally equates laughter) and nearly two year old son, long walks on the beach and ice cream.

I have been married for two and a half years and along with half of the rest of the population, I am expecting a great bundle of joy to join our family in a few short months. I have the wonderful blessing to stay home with my son every day and learn from him. I love reading the scriptures and learning more about the gospel... which leads me to my topic today.

I went visiting teaching this morning. I loved the message. For those of you who haven't read it yet, let me just fill you in, and for those who have read it, just humor me and my epiphany.

The message was about lifelong education and learning. We all know that education is essential, and that we should get a good education. We know that "just in case something happens and we have to rely on it to support our families." but the message really gave some wonderful insight as to why, and even expanded a bit on it. It said

“Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life”

I love that by continual learning my talents can expand. I don't claim to be a very talented person, and would love for the chance and opportunity to have my few talents expand, as would I love to discover new talents. Being able to be prepared for the future also would really give me much comfort. There are so many things that are up in the air right now. It would be the most wonderful blessing in the world to always be prepared.

President Eyering said

“We will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time. … But remember, you are interested in education, not just for mortal life but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly with spiritual sight, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning. …

“… And since what we will need to know is hard to discern, we need the help of heaven to know which of the myriad things we could study we would most wisely learn. It also means that we cannot waste time entertaining ourselves when we have the chance to read or to listen to whatever will help us learn what is true and useful. Insatiable curiosity will be our hallmark” (“Education for Real Life,” Ensign, Oct. 2002, 18, 19).

My little brother is currently looking for a profession. He is in school and frustrated with what he should go into, knowing that it will affect the rest of his life. I love that we are told we can have the help of heaven to know what we need to study.

I am a huge time waster. I love to read books for entertainment. I have a hard time reading books for knowledge sake when I could be reading fairy tales. That is just how I am. I obviously have need to repent. I need to focus more on things that will help me in life.

It seems a lot of times we as women have a lot of demands placed upon our shoulders. We listen too much to what the world says about who we should be, and what we should do. We have the wonderful blessing of inquisitive minds. For those of us with children we can learn a lot from watching their curiosity. Everything fascinates them, and they are wanting to learn everything they can. If we do that, we can have an advantage in the life to come.

“My dear sisters, don’t ever sell yourself short as a woman or as a mother. … Do not let the world define, denigrate, or limit your feelings of lifelong learning and the values of motherhood in the home—both here mortally and in the eternal learning and benefits you give to your children and to your companion.

“Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul. It enhances self-worth and self-actuation. Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self-doubt” (“The Journey of Lifelong Learning,” in Brigham Young University 2008–2009 Speeches [2009], 2, 8–9).

After reading that I had a realization. I have never heard of one of the bretheren with the common complaints of old age. They are very alert and attentive and mentally active up to the last. No alzheimers or dementia for them. If we constantly study and seek after learning, we too can have those blessings.
As I was reading through the message I learned something. I learned that when we put the spiritual aspect of learning first (studying the scriptures, prayer, listening to our leaders and studying their words) our secular learning comes much easier for us.

I realy needed to learn this, and I hope it helped someone else. A life long learning is very important to our eternal salvation and the more we learn here, the better off we will be in the future.

The Measure of Our Creation

Last year President Uchtdorf gave a talk to the women of the church. Since then it has been on my mind. He spoke of creation and creativity. I am just going to paraphrase some of it for you. He spoke of the many people who claim they have no creative ability (me! I am one of those people) and told us that we as children of God, the most creative being ever, do indeed have creativity, it is inherited from our Father.

"If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination."

But what is the big deal about being creative, right? Why is it so important that we are creating things? President Uchtdorf teaches

"But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fullness of joy.4 Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things."

And again, that brings us to people like me, seemingly void of all creative ability. He explained that creativity extends past the pen or paper or musical instrument.

"Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter."

And my favorite quote of all:

"Nearly a century and a half ago, President Brigham Young spoke to the Saints of his day. “There is a great work for the Saints to do,” he said. “Progress, and improve upon and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth, and cultivate your minds. Build cities, adorn your habitations, make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labors you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations. In the mean time continually seek to adorn your minds with all the graces of the Spirit of Christ.”6"

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Happiness, Your Heritage,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 117–20

D&C 88:119 teaches us to "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a ^bhouse, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

I believe that part of that organizing ourselves is stretching and growing in ways that are new to us. We should be finding creative outlets and ways to beautify our surroundings and our very lives. One such way is by making our homes beautiful and harmonious.

Not only does creating things improve one's surroundings, it improves one's self. I think these words are very sage advice that we should try to live by for the sanity of ourselves and our families.

"Sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don't allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it."

M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 110