Crave Learning — D&C 129-132
Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
(November 10–16)
Three Thoughts from Me
There are three things we take with us when this earthly life is over: our character, our relationships and our intelligence. That’s quite sobering, isn’t it, when we think of all the time, energy and money we spend elsewhere. It could explain why we may feel “constantly full but rarely fed” (Carl Hendrick) or as Nephi describes, “…even as unto a hungry man which dreameth, and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty” (2 Nephi 27:3).
My love of learning has not dulled with age, but is more like my love of chocolate, I crave it and am not satisfied unless I’ve enjoyed at least a daily taste. It has never been easier to learn any topic or hobby imaginable. God encourages us to study and learn and become acquainted with all good books, with languages, tongues and peoples (D&C 90:91). His list also includes history, countries, kingdoms, and laws of God and man (D&C 93:53). The only real difficulty is deciding what to choose.
Developing a personal curriculum for lifelong learning is a great way to discover joy in learning as adults. Just as our Come, Follow Me has an outline of study with specific dates and resources, we can create our own curriculum on any topic or hobby of our choosing. (I just used AI to create an outline on learning how to watercolor. It’s a great place to start.) The key is to take ownership of your development and approach learning with intention, flexibility, and “by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). Time spent gaining knowledge and intelligence fills our souls today and for eternity (D&C 130:18,19).
Two Thoughts from Others
“The acquisition of knowledge is a lifelong, sacred activity, pleasing to our Father in Heaven and favored by His servants.” – President Dallin H. Oaks
“In the age in which we live today, education is absolutely essential. No one without a good education can really excel. We have a great responsibility in the Church to encourage everyone to have a lifetime search for education.” – Elder L. Tom Perry
One Question for You
What have you learned today?