As women in the Church, we often hear that an education will prepare us for motherhood. But perhaps the Lord wants us to prepare for that and more.
PHOTO BY BEN WHITE
Many women in the Church have contemplated this question: “If I want to be a stay-at-home mom, why should I gain an education?” In response, I’ve heard time and time again that gaining an education will help a woman be a better role model for her children. An education will help her be knowledgeable, capable, and aware. This is all true, noble, and good; in fact, we are commanded to raise up families. But this is not the only commandment Heavenly Father has given to his daughters.
In a 2001 general conference address from President Gordon B. Hinckley titled “How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream?” he speaks to the young women of the Church. In speaking about obtaining higher education, he says, “You can include in the dream of the woman you would like to be a picture of one qualified to serve society and make a significant contribution to the world of which she will be a part.” This is more than a call to prepare for motherhood. It is a call to further our minds. It is a call to increase our capacity to reach out to the poor and needy. It is a call to be Christ’s hands in the world. In order to do that, we need knowledge and know-how. By refraining from gaining an education, we limit ourselves and our opportunities to serve.
The Lord needs a pool from which he can pull faithful and capable servants. By asking us to seek out educational opportunities, the Lord is effectively asking us to collect resources, skills, connections, and everything else an education entails so that we can build his kingdom and do his work.
See President Gordon B. Hinckley’s general conference talk, “How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream?” to learn more about a woman’s divine potential.
Source: General Conference
—Scout McMillan, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY NIKHITA S
Find more insights
Read or listen to the BYU devotional “Women and Education: ‘A Future Only God Could See for You’” by Eva Witesman to hear about her educational pursuits.
Check out the Latter-day Saint Insights article “The Lord Needs Self-Reliant Women” by Tori Hamilton to read about the role of women in God’s plan.