Life Long Learning

I went to Education Week at BYU on Tuesday. I want to write a few of the things that stood out to me in hopes that I’ll remember what I’m learning.

First, I listened to Elder Hales speak on the theme of the conference, Life Long Learning.

He started by asking, “What does it mean to be a life long learner?” I wrote some notes.
• Joy of being edified rather than the pleasure of being entertained

Why should we be life long learners?
• Learning is NOT to impress others rather to change ourselves in order to help others

How can we do it?
1. Courage—“God has not given us the spirit of fear but of courage.” “There were fears in your hearts and this is the reason you did not receive.” D&C 67:3 Replace fear with faithful desire.
2. Patience—sometimes what we learn may not seem valuable until weeks or years later. Thomas Edison once said, I have not failed I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.
3. Curiosity—it is God given. Ask the question why? Often the best teachers are the best students. He quoted President Packer’s response when people had asked him how to understand the atonement of Christ.
“Read the Book of Mormon a few times, study the atonement and then write a one page summary of what you’ve learned, and then you will have your answer.”
4. Willingness to Share Knowledge—One achievement is only the dawn of a new beginning. Enjoy the view once you reach the top of the mountain. Then set a course for new heights in the future. Never dwell on the past or stay in your comfort zone when challenged with technological achievements.
5. Humility—Source of all knowledge is God. We gain knowledge to better serve. Continually feast on scriptures. Pray before scripture study to prepare and then pray again after to give thanks.
6. Communication—Great teachers are also great listeners. They don’t provide all the answers; they lead them to the fountain and motivate them to drink. Never dwell on the past or stay in your comfort zone when challenged with technological advancements. Move forward.

“Motherhood is the ideal opportunity for life long learning. It is exponential and not linear. The spiritual learning that happens as a mother prepares lessons for her children is exponential to her own growth.”—this is not a direct quote but close

My own thoughts about why I really liked this talk. I’m glad Elder Hales reminded me again that God has not given us the spirit of fear. I am also encouraged to grow in my ability to communicate through technological advancement. Ross will be especially excited about this because he's been wanting me to get over my "technophobia" for awhile.

I also like the idea that curiosity is God given. Sometimes when I read the scriptures I get discouraged because I have more questions than answers. His encouragement to write what I learn makes so much sense to me because when I write the knowledge becomes mine. I understand that the advice is to write, perhaps not always publish my learning. Hmmm.

That brings me to my scripture study yesterday. This is what I read, “I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things;
For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.” D&C 84:61-62

I’ve heard that scripture before but it seems different to me this time. Maybe because I was just telling Corinne the other day that I knew my feeling grumpy and irritable was mostly a sign that I needed to repent. So, I’m doing another experiment. Will blogging help me be forgiven?