An overview of LDS principles in education.
Brigham Young taught: I am opposed to free education as much as I am opposed to taking away property from one man and giving it to another…
Ancient Israel Demanded a King
In the Old Testament, we read the account of how the majority of God’s chosen people rejected the Lord’s council en mass.
For generations they were ruled under a system of judges, not drastically unlike our Constitutional Republic. Then, because it was “too much effort” for them to keep their judges in check, they wanted to replace it with one where they wouldn’t have to do anything in regards to their government. Just like the other nations of the world, they would have a king.
“Then the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, “Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways; now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:4–7)
This situation is much like what happened when Martin Harris pressed the issue of the 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon against the will of the Lord.
“Some time later Mr. Harris had begun to write for me, he began to importune me to give him liberty to carry the writings home and show them; and desired of me that I would inquire of the Lord, through the Urim and Thummim, if he might not do so. I did inquire, and the answer was that he must not. However, he was not satisfied with this answer, and desired that I should inquire again. I did so, and the answer was as before. Still he could not be contented, but insisted that I should inquire once more. After much solicitation, I again inquired of the Lord, and permission was granted him to have the writings on certain conditions;” (History of the Church 1:20-23)
The first account of disobedience lead to a loss of liberty and the latter lead to the loss of 116 pages of “The most correct book on earth”. From both of these examples we can see that when we seek to listen to our own council over that of the Lords, though he will not stop us, we will lose something that is most precious.
Brief history of Church and education
“It was the will of the Lord, made known shortly after the organization of the Church, that steps should be taken to have the children of the members taught in schools conducted under the influence of those who had faith in the Gospel.”
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 4 vols. [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1946-1949], 2: 98 – 99.)
Ever since the beginning of the restoration, education has been an important part in building the kingdom. As early as June 1831, the Lord commanded W.W. Phelps to “assist my servant Oliver Cowdery to do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in this church, that little children also may receive instruction before me as is pleasing unto me.” (D&C 55:4)
Church schools were set up wherever members of the Church were gathered. After the pioneers had arrived in the Salt Lake Valley and established themselves there, they again organized Church schools for the education and instruction of the youth of Zion. Although these were “Church Schools”, they were not fully funded by the Church any more than BYU is now. Anyone that has personally attended or has had children attend a Church school knows that that they are anything but “free”.
Although there were attendance fees to help pay for full time teachers and other staff, President Brigham Young felt that education was so important that he paid “the school fee of a number of children who (were) either orphans or sons and daughters of poor people.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 18 p. 357, General Conference April 1877)
During the 1870′s and 80′s (when Utah was attempting to enter the Union), there was again a great outcry from the outside world that the “Mormons” were getting too much power and influence. To help “combat” this, it was proposed that before entering the Union there must be an “establishment of free schools” which would “prohibit the teaching of denominational sentiments in them.” (Boston Watchman, impression of Sept. 5th, 1878)
Additionally, during the 1870s and 1880s, Protestant missionary societies established ninety free schools in Utah, hoping to win Latter-day Saint children away from the faith of their parents through “education.”
With the very natural inclination to want to take the “less costly” option, many Latter-day Saint families started to send their children to these “free” schools set up by the government, which were funded through tax payer dollars, as well as those set up by other faiths. Others just stopped paying the school fees though their children continued to attend the Church schools. This added much financial pressure on the Church schools and, since the teachers received their pay through fees agreed upon that went unfulfilled, many of them were forced to find employment elsewhere.
Throughout this crisis in education, Prophets of the Lord were constantly reinforcing the principles and warning the Saints of what would happen if they rejected the system the Lord had established.
Two principles that they focused on were that:
- Free schools by taxation is theft
- Only Latter-day Saints should teach Latter-day Saints
I will address these principles in order.
Theft
Brigham Young taught:
“I am opposed to free education as much as I am opposed to taking away property from one man and giving it to another… Would I encourage free schools by taxation? No!” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 18 p. 357, General Conference 1877)
Why would he be against funding schools through taxes? How else could we ensure that the schools were funded and teachers paid? Since the main argument for funding education through taxation is to provide an opportunity for the poor, who would not otherwise be able to afford to pay for their education, I will treat the subject as another forced charity through taxation.
Regarding forced charity through taxation, President Benson said:
“Occasionally, we receive questions as to the propriety of Church members receiving government assistance instead of Church assistance. Let me restate what is a fundamental principle. Individuals, to the extent possible, should provide for their own needs. Where the individual is unable to care for himself, his family should assist. Where the family is not able to provide, the Church should render assistance, not the government. We accept the basic principle that ‘though the people support the government, the government should not support the people.’” (General Conference April 1977)
Elder Boyd K Packer added,
“If a member is unable to sustain himself, then he is to call upon his own family, and then upon the Church, in that order, and not upon the government at all.” (General Conference April 1978)
Shedding more light on this President Benson says:
“When you accept food stamps, you accept an unearned handout that other working people are paying for. You do not earn food stamps or welfare payments. Every individual who accepts an unearned government gratuity is just as morally culpable as the individual who takes a handout from taxpayers’ money to pay his heat, electricity, or rent. There is no difference in principle between them… The price you pay for “something for nothing” may be more than you can afford. Do not rationalize your acceptance of government gratuities by saying, ‘I am a contributing taxpayer too.’ By doing this you contribute to the problem which is leading this nation to financial insolvency.” (BYU 1977)
Here President Benson teaches that accepting government gratuities in any form is the same. Why is wrong to accept these government gratuities?
In D&C 121 we read;
34. Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
36. That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
From “Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen”, recommended in General Conference April 1972:
“Men may exercise unrighteous dominion upon one another through the agency of government in just as many ways as they can when acting outside its framework. The most common method, however, is by denying or interfering with the right to own and control property, one of the elements of freedom.
…applying the Golden Rule, put yourself in “A’s” shoes. He has already given all he desires to charity. Are you not violating his conscience when you compel him to give more? Would you enjoy having someone dictate how much you must give to your church, a hospital or college? Would not this be a plain case of theft? And if you pass a law and legalize the taking and the giving, have you really changed the essential nature of the act? Haven’t you merely legalized stealing?” -page 37
The principle being; even if I feel comfortable contributing my money towards something, no matter how noble the cause, I have no right to compel another to do so. To force another to support a cause or institution is unrighteous dominion and theft.
Taught by Latter-Day Saints
We repeat:
“It was the will of the Lord, made known shortly after the organization of the Church, that steps should be taken to have the children of the members taught in schools conducted under the influence of those who had faith in the Gospel.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 2: 98 – 99.)
The Lord commissioned WW Phelps and Oliver Cowdery to help in selecting and writing curriculum for the teaching of young Latter-Day Saints. Why? Why not just go by the recommendations of the most learned professors? Wouldn’t they be more qualified to decipher which books would be best?
When this thought process rears its head in the discussion of educating Latter-day Saint children, this talk by President Benson is the first thing that pops into my mind.
“I would rather have my child exposed to smallpox, typhus fever, cholera, or other malignant and deadly diseases than to the degrading influence of a corrupt teacher. It is infinitely better to take chances with an ignorant, but pure-minded teacher than with the greatest philosopher who is impure.” (General Conference, October 1970)
The importance of having our children taught by Latter-day Saints was made clear by President John Taylor when he said;
“And then we want to study also the principles of education, and to get the very best teachers we can to teach our children; see that they are men and women who fear God and keep his commandments. We do not want men or women to teach the children of the Latter-day Saints who are not Latter-day Saints themselves. Hear it, you Elders of Israel?” (Journal of Discourses 20:179, General Conference April 1879)
Now before you are tempted to say, “Well, that was back then. Times have changed”, I would like to remind you that this was not taught in the vacuum of the 19th century. This exact phrase was quoted and taught again in General Conference of April 1958, and the principle continues to be taught today.
Not only are our children to be taught by Latter-Day Saints, President Taylor questions our ability as parents to enter the Celestial Kingdom if we deprive our children of that blessing;
“I am told in the revelations to bring up my children in the fear of God. Now we are engaged in building our temples that we may become united and linked together by eternal covenants that shall exist in all time and throughout eternity. And then when we have done all this go and deliberately turn our children over to whom? To men who do not believe the Gospel, to men who, according to your faith are never going to the celestial kingdom of God. And you will turn your children over to them. And you call yourselves Latter-day Saints, do you? I will suppose a case. You expect to be saved in the celestial kingdom of God. Well, supposing your expectations are realized, which I sometimes doubt, and you look down, down somewhere in a terrestrial or telestial kingdom, as the case may be, and you see your children, the offspring that God had given you to train up in his fear, to honor him and keep his commandments. And supposing they could converse with you what would be their feelings toward you? It would be, Father, Mother, you are to blame for this. I would have been with you if you had hot tampered with the principles of life and salvation in permitting me to be decoyed away by false teachers, who taught incorrect principles. And this is the result of it. But then I very much question men and women’s getting into the Celestial kingdom of God who have no more knowledge about principles of life and salvation than to go and tamper with the sacred offspring, the principle of life which God entrusted to your care, to thus shuffle it off to imbibe the spirit of unbelief, which leads to destruction and death.” Journal of Discourses 20:107
Elder Boyd K Packer pointed out the effects government schools have had, and the “why” he gives seems to add a lot of credibility to the words of President Taylor.
In 1996, President Packer said,
“In many places it is literally not safe physically for youngsters to go to school. And in many schools (and its becoming almost generally true) it is spiritually unsafe to attend public schools. Look back over the history of education to the turn of the century and the beginning of the educational philosophies pragmatism and humanism were the early ones, and they branched out into a number of other philosophies which have led us now into a circumstance where our schools are producing the problems that we face.” -Charge to the David O. McKay School of Education, December 1996
When we reject the words of the Lord, what else should we expect?
I haven’t heard this before
Why are the Prophets not so bold on this topic anymore? Why do they no longer speak out specifically against education through taxation? President Benson gave a talk in General Conference April of 1965 that answers this question perfectly. He said,
“Usually the Lord gives us the overall objectives to be accomplished and some guidelines to follow, but he expects us to work out most of the details and methods… Sometimes the Lord hopefully waits on his children to act on their own, and when they do not, they lose the greater prize, and the Lord will either drop the entire matter and let them suffer the consequences or else he will have to spell it out in greater detail.”
Based on the scriptures, the Saints should have known and acted. However, they did not so the Prophets had to spell it out in greater detail. We ignored their council demanding the proverbial “King” in educating “us like all the nations” and the Lord has now almost completely dropped “the entire matter” and is allowing us to “suffer the consequences.”
And so, let’s act
It is time to repent of the sins of the past and no longer partake in a system of theft, unrighteous dominion, and spiritual starvation. It was the call for a “King” from the people that got us in this predicament; let us now change the call to a call for obedience to the King of Kings.
The methods may change, but the principles do not. Whether the method is home schooling, private schools run and taught by Latter-day Saints, or a return to Church run schools, I don’t think it will initially matter.
To restore what the Lord has planed for us, we must reject what took us away from that in the first place and then earnestly seek to follow the will of the Lord to the best of our ability.
As we share this information with others and gain in numbers, we could start LDS based private schools. There have been many attempts at this but, without a growth in the number of informed and motivated Latter-day Saints, interest, involvement and therefore viability is too sporadic to provide new comers with any dependable recourse.
Short term, it appears that those outside of Utah have few options outside of home schooling. This just isn’t always a viable option for everyone. Therefore, we must shed our selfish tendency to want to avoid contact with people outside of our comfort zone. We should reach out to others, help them understand these principles, and then help them to act.
When education is solidly based on gospel principles; faith, spirituality, and inspiration increase, leaving us in a better position to fulfill the Lord’s will for us individually and collectively.
Together we can help restore what was once lost through disobedience and accomplish the miracles originally intended for generations past.
This is by no means an exhaustive work on the subjects covered. For more details on these, I recommend “Revealed Educational Principles & the Public Schools” by Jack Monnett, “The Great and Abominable Church of the Devil” & “Many Are Called and Few Are Chosen” both by H Verlan Anderson, & “Seek Learning by Study and Also by Faith” Address given by Boyd K Packer to instructors of religion at BYU April 1974 also available as chapter 5 in his book “That All May Be Edified”. These provide in-depth coverage of the principles discussed.
I remember Marx being held up as a brilliant political mind to be looked up to, the legalization of abortion being a wonderful step forward for society, and that our country couldn’t continue without massive social programs.
Everyone I know has some kind of horror story about something their kid had “learned” in public school. Yet when I tell people that my wife homeschools our kids, people look at me like I’m a lunatic.
“the legalization of abortion being a wonderful step in society.”?????????? Really?? I understand those who are raped or can’t have a child without killing them in the process..but the rest is just vulgar and disgusting. This whole abortion thing should be treated the way medicated marajuana is treated. Only given to those who truly need it.
Homeschooling is hard work, but it is worth it. I have encountered people who acted as if my wife and I were criminals to “deprive” our children of the social “benefits” of public school. I can’t imagine how much cleaner my mind would be; had I not been exposed to some of the most vulgar speech and behavior as I was in public school.
That’s the truth…..
This is a great article. There are solutions out there.
I homeschooled my children in the 80s. It was not easy because much of the persecution came from within the church. School teachers are put on pedestals because of the noble work they do. There are good people who are school teachers, but their hands (and consciences) are tied by the politics of public schools. Most teachers never make it through their collage educations without being corrupted by “enlightened” professors. Now my daughters homeschool their children. As imperfect as my own efforts were, I am pleased with the results. My son’s wives are public school raised and since the mother has to be the teacher, they are not willing. The I hope the day will come that they will see this higher law for what it is.
Liahona Preparatory Academy is just such an LDS private school in Pleasant Grove Utah. They also have an online distance education program.
My brother-in-law did the correspondence course offered by Liahona prep. It was awesome, Brother DeGraff is an amazing teacher. I was able to watch several of his lectures with him as he was working his way through high school. I would request this course of action to any who wanted to home school their High school aged children. I am not aware of any younger programs available, if some one could enlighten me on this.
Quite frankly, this issue causes me more pain and anguish than any other issue, except perhaps the media issue. I am forced to stand and watch with my hands tied behind my back and my mouth silenced as my fellow Latter Day Saints send their children to government schools, allow them to participate in all forms of media, and get drugged up by the medical establishment; then they wring their hands and wail, and “rant upon the rocks” crying, “Where did I go wrong? Why have my children left the church? What could I have done more?” But I know that if I say anything I will be crucified for it.
Too many of the Latter Day Saints are simply NOT PAYING ATTENTION. They simply do not care what the Lord or His prophets have said about education, teaching our children, political science, and many other things. They simply follow the ways of Babylon like goats eating the weeds with the herbs, the garbage with the fruit, completely indiscriminate of whether they are feeding their children wholesome food or poison.
They do not love the Lord or the Kingdom of God; how could they? They do not know who He is, what He represents, or what ZION should even be like. The reason they do not know these things is because they do not search them out in the scriptures. They are not fully committed to keeping all of the commandments; they are compromised.
Please forgive me for speaking so bluntly. It is just that this is so hard to watch with so little power to do anything about it. My wife and I home school and we try to set a good example. Everyone is very impressed with our kids; while many criticize us for home schooling. I hope and pray that some day they will add things up, repent, and keep their covenants–especially those in regard to raising their children in truth and righteousness.
Brother Jared
I am glad you are blunt. I am questioned by our own church members. All I can say is that even though it is hard, My husband and I honestly prayed to know if we were to home school our children or not. I look around the Relief Society room and wonder how many people actually knelt down and prayed if they were to home school or public school their children.
Oh, probably less than 5%.
What is so difficult is watching my wife do her best to home school with such extreme heart-ache, sacrifice, and difficulty. If the saints would pull together then they could work together and bear one another’s burdens. Out here in Oklahoma there is next to nil support from members for home schoolers. It is so difficult for me sometimes to love them and not resent them for it.
Strangely this reminds me of a quote from The Addams Family (1964)
Truant officer- “But they’ve got to go to school! Everyone sends their kids to school!”
Gomez Addams- “Ridiculous! Why have children just to get rid of them? I’m opposed to the whole nonsense!”
As a home school Dad I see the education of my children as a way to not only know what my children are learning but also the influences that enter my home. I was raised in a public school and it took the woman I ended up marring to get me interested in gaining a testimony of the gospel. I remember the environment that I lived in everyday at public school, I do not want my children to have to be exposed to that.
Oh my wife was home schooled. She had a stronger testimony at age 16 when we met than I had before I decided to go on a mission. Luckily for us she shares the desire that I have to not send our children to public schools. She loves being home with the children(though she works harder than I ever have, even when I was working two jobs and going to school to make ends meet.)Already I am seeing the benifits of home schooling, My children are well behaved and polite, at least when I am around, I have no complaints from church teachers as to their behavior.
Jared, overall I definitely agree with you. But honestly, you just never know in this life.
As a single mom, I HAD to send my kids to school while I worked in a low paying job that just barely got us by. And I did lose my children as far the gospel goes…..all but one are inactive as adults, though they still believe in God.
Later on, I remarried in the temple, both of us worthy and active, and we had one child whom we homeschooled starting at an early age. We suffered much ridicule and mocking from people in our lds ward for choosing to homeschool. This child’s dad died when this child was 11. I was financially able to stay home and continued homeschooling, “training up in the way this child should go”. This child was happy in seeking the Lord, we enjoyed FHE and daily scriptures/pray, gospel discussions. I was teaching this child just as I had wanted to do with all of my other children. Now at 20, this child not only left the gospel but has chosen to be an athiest. How I wish all that was cherished, taught, and lived in our home had kept this child in the Gospel Net.
That said, we have a wonderful family, all of our children are loving adults/family oriented/good people.
NO, I’m not happy that me and my deceased husband, and one son/his family are the only active lds members; striving to live a life based on the Gospel Plan. Still, I put my hopes in Christ for our family. I live modestly, dress modestly, keep lds standards in my own home, don’t watch R rated movies, etc. etc…. and strive to be an example. Instead of feeling like a failure, I have been guided over these deeply sad events of many years, to pray everyday for our children, always give them love; and prompted by the Spirit to personally continue to grow closer to the Lord in my life. Is it easy? Never. But I pray God will continue to help me put my faith in Him, no matter what….come what may.
So as you can see, even when we parents do our best, or at least think we are trying to do best: there isn’t a guarantee.
Yes, I still think the lds people should get their kids out of the public schools. They are a training ground for the ways and sexuality of the world.
This is a tough issue to address. And as usual, I overstate my case. And sometimes, like Alma, even when we do everything we can for our kids, they still make wrong choices; but also like Alma, our faith can and will bring them back, according to the Lord’s timeline.
My main aggravation is that the members in general are so supportive of the decisively anti-Christ public education system. If we, the LDS people, would unite and work together, even the single parents and under-employed could provide for their children a Christ-centered education. Hence, your difficult experience is an excellent case in point.
Just remember, it’s not over until it’s over. Keep the faith and your children may very well respond to the sealing which is empowered by the atonement and activated by your righteousness.
Thank you, Jared, for your words and for your courage. My family is also being attacked for homeschooling, but to my hurt amazement, the fiery darts are all coming from family and Church leadership; I am currently at odds with my branch president, members of the ward council and a member of the stake presidency; the issue has been brought up repeatedly, even at temple recommend interviews. Even though my children are happy and well-behaved, this is never seen as a product of homeschooling. What I don’t get the most is their denial of two doctrines: the right to revelation and primary stewardship that PARENTS have, and that this SUPERCEDES their authority when it comes to my children. When they deny that to my face, I can’t help but question their authority.
“…but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.” (D&C 121:37)
In the home the authority of parents is sovereign and supreme and supersedes the authority of church leaders. This was addressed in the last General Conference.
My advise is to be meek, stay under the radar, stay true and faithful to the church even when some members and even leaders are blinded by the “mists of darkness,” and most of all to continue doing what you know is right. God bless!
Please give more detailed references in the quotes. I like to pass these things on but some of the people I send them to would like to “check out” the references. Thank you. Great article and I entirely agree. We are sacrificing a generation of children on the “free” public school altar–but oh, the true cost…..
Thanks for the feedback. I have just added some additional references and direct links where I could find and add them. Hope that helps.
Do you have an email address that I could use to send a file to you as an attachment? It is a paper I wrote on homeschooling. I would like to share my ideas with others and would be interested in feedback on it.
ezrataylor@mormonchronicle.com
Equating taxes to theft ignores the fact that a person lives and functions within a society. An individual benefits from being in a society and therefore has certain duties, i.e. paying taxes. Also getting rid of public education is a draconian action that would hurt the people who need the most help, the poor. Thinking that all the poor would be ok because people would donate money seems naive to me.
Also there is a difference in the materials being taught at schools and in churches. One is educational and the other is religious. They can both have a place in a person’s life but when they are mixed into one a person’s education and their mind is what suffers.
Thanks for being logical.
Wow! You sure have a cynical view of your fellow man. All the good people I know would gladly do all they could for the poor of their own free will; but it sure makes it hard when the government is always steeling them blind, ruining the economy, and destroying business incentive.
I don’t need the government to spell out my duty; I can figure that out on my own. I’ll always be first in line to help the poor if I can; but put a gun to my head and force me to do it and I will resist to the death.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:37 – 38)
Government/Priesthood force is only ever justifiable in the defense of fundamental equal rights; not in the defense of equal things–especially things people have not earned.
J
Ditto Jared. Liberty and Truth first, all else lieth at the door.
Soren, my concern with part of your reply is:
if public education, and the evil it has become, is there for the poor, then the poor will be brainwashed by the evils in the public school system, thus becoming enemies of God.
Public schools = theft? Public roads = ? Anyone drive? Better start walking or you won’t make it to the CK
Public schools were specifically mentioned by the prophets as being contrary to the will of the Lord. Roads are not mentioned. Show me some prophetic quotes on roads and we can talk otherwise see the quote from Eastly’s article below.
“Arrogance is the belief and attitude that what you do not know or understand is not important. …..Those who are true and faithful in all things look unto the Lord and His servants for guidance in all aspects of life: religious, political, academic, vocational, everything. Those in a state of apostasy both resent and despise those messengers of truth which witness of the true vine, the more sure way, and the abundant life which is alive in Christ.”
There is also such thing as a voluntary tax. If we were not forced to pay taxes with threat of imprisonment or deadly force, I think people would be very willing to voluntarily pay taxes on a monthly or annual basis. People could decide for themselves how much; then fill in on a bubble sheet where they want their tax dollars to go with a percentage next to each bubble with the requirement that the total percentages equal 100%. If people want it, they choose to pay for it: Roads, City Council, Public Funds for Education, etc…
Right now most states spend between $6000 and %12000 per year per student; but only for those who choose the Public Schools–those who choose private schools or home school get none of it. A voluntary tax could easily fix that.
Just a thought Mr. Fox!
Jared
User fees. Tax gas, pay for roads = only people who use the roads pay for them. Yep. Those who use them less (no autos) still contribute when they buy things that are transported on the roads. There you go. perfect way to have those who use them more pay for them more. You really truly don’t have to steal from your neighbor ever.
This argument really scares me. What about “ye are the light of the world”? I would that more people would be able to teach their children in their homes how to discern between truth and right- allowing them the agency and ability to choose for themselves. They won’t always be exposed to only mormon influences, and in business environments, might have to face situations and scenarios working with others who hold non-traditional LDS perspectives. Aren’t we meant to lift those around us? By pulling out the “righteous” from the world- church leaders would be stunting the ability for latter-day saints to be an influence for good. I don’t like institutions training or setting the standards of morality, but while families are still intact- moral standards should be taught in the home. I have a greater problem with how schools are run in general than I do with the fact that latter-day saints attend public institutions.
I am willing to homeschool my neighbor’s kids along with mine. In fact, we have converted other homeschool families. I don’t see very many of my LDS friends interacting with anyone not in their wards, and I don’t live in the west.
This is the number one response I receive from LDS parents upon hearing we homeschool our children. My answer is always the same.
When Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world…” he was saying it to adults about themselves. When the prophets have spoken about the evils of public education they were very specifically talking to parents about the proper way to educate their children. In order to follow your logic I would have to take the words of Jesus out of context and apply them in a manner contrary to that which his prophets have said in regards to raising my children.
Fascinating ideas being shared here. Going to copy and save the above blog post for later use.
I’m surprised you guys didn’t mention the only place in the entire Standard Works, where public education is mentioned – Mosiah 24. That system was set up by a vicious apostate and was a prelude to persecution and eventually bondage. But that could NEVER happen in America…. wait… that WAS in ancient America wasn’t it? ;)
Jared, you noted that the public schools spend at least $6000 per student. I’m fleshing out a business plan right now for a very innovative private school where after we get 200 students the cost to the family will drop to $2,340 a year. The plan is to work it down to $1000 a year, or maybe even free, eventually.
Discovered this past week that our school system was imported directly from the Prussians by Horace Mann (see his entry at Wikipedia.org). After having just been whacked by Napoleon, the Prussians (Germans) decided they needed to condition their youth for unquestioning obedience to authority (and we all know how that worked out for the Germans.)
I’ve been reading Johann Gottlieb Fichte’s “Speeches to the German People” – he was the architect of the Prussian model and I’ve already found 3 quotes in the first dozen pages that clearly show he was all about ridding the students of their free will.
Think about it! For some strange reason, our society believes that if we deny our children nearly every Constitutional right, all day every day for twelve years, somehow they are supposed to magically wield those rights responsibly when they turn 18! It is simply unfathomable.
You remember that old poem that says, “If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn” etc.? Well, I’d like to add another line or two. Here one:
(it’s a tad long, but I think it would be an improvement to the poem).
I have one grandchild and two on the way. I want my posterity to enjoy freedom — forever. I would love for my grandchildren to experience an environment every day where real freedom and self-government, the rule of law, and the right to a trial by a jury of their peers are all held sacred. These American values are all starkly absent from our nation’s application of the Prussian model.
So, I’ve decided it’s time to take action. I’m founding a private school where children live all day every day under a real constitution, where the students learn Roberts Rules of Order the same way they learned to walk and speak English. I’m starting a school where the students make the laws they have to live by, where their rights to property are not violated through confiscation, where all bullies are taken to court, where their right to a trial by jury is honored. Where they can learn to be free citizens so that when they get out into the world — into the mess we’ve made of our free nation — they not only can recognize tyranny when they see it, but that the Spirit of Freedom will burn in their hearts, and they will have the self-confidence and the wisdom to stand up to would-be dictators and say, “Not while I take breathe!”.
Hmm… this sounds like a speech in the making…. I think I’ll finish it off and title it, “Preserving The Constitution In The Hearts of Our Children”. Maybe I could give it on Constitution Day this year! Anyone know of an event being planned?
I’m a parent, and as such it is MY stewardship to determine what kind of education my children receive. When first studying out homeschooling for myself , I ran into that last John Taylor quote you cited. It was this thought, above all others, that lingered with me and did not go away. I know I blame my parents for things they should have done better with raising me, and my children will probably find things to blame me for… but to never even BOTHER to do the best I could for them when here a prophet has plainly spelled out what the Lord defines as the best education… I just couldn’t forsake my kids. Sure, it’s hard to face the criticism of the world, but I’d rather face that now than that of my children at a future day. (1 Ne 8:34, Moses 5:13,Mosiah 26:1–4)
The oppsoition from latter-day Saints to homeschooling is schocking to me! I guess I never heard much opposition being in a singles ward. I think there are some homeschoolers in my current ward but I haven’t heard much about it. I knew a girl who thought of homeschooling, but then she decided she could do more missionary work if her children were in Godless Socialist government schools. Her dad was a counselor in the Stake Presidency. I think he talked her out of it. I also read several articles about homeschooling at Meridian Magazine several years ago. I thought more parents would want their children to get a great education.
When you are attacked by anyone who thinks homeschooling is bad or wrong it is easy to explain how government schools turn a persons brain to mush-generally speaking. Government schools don’t usually teach based on the classical model. If you can homeschool, a good book I read about it a few years ago is: The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home By Professor Susan Wise Bauer (American Literature, College of William and Mary) and Jesse Wise. Professor Bauer was homeschooled in the 70′s because her mom didn’t like what was being taught then! She learned Latin, Classical Greek (she doesn’t think it’s that difficult) and tutored upperclassmen in Greek when a freshman. Also learned other languages. She homeschools her children with her husband.
Mrs. Wise and her daughter quote H. McCurdy, “The Childhood Pattern of Genius”
The Smithsonian Institution’s recipe for genius and leadership: (1) Children should spend a great deal of time with loving, educationally minded parents; (2) Children should be allowed a lot of free exploration; and (3) Children should have little to no association with peers outside of family and relatives.
Kids become geniuses not around lots of kids all day? They are actually smarter and they become leaders when around adults and their siblings-instead of 30 kids and 1 teacher. Another great reason not to have your children a gov. school.
I’m trying to find the full talks that you quote in your article as a way to further study this subject. We homeschool and get lots of sly and rude comments about this choice. It would be nice to have more quotes like this to respond to people with. LDS.org only has General Conferences from 1971 up. How does one find these talks? Like the quotes from 1970 and 1897. Thank you
the ones from the 1800′s can be found in the Journal of Discourses. If you don’t have those in hard copy there are many online versions, one of which can be found here http://journalofdiscourses.org/
The other quotes I found through gospelink or lds info base. If you take a few short phrases, and googled the terms, I am sure you could find the talks in there entirety online.
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Dang. Guess my parents won’t be making it to the CK since they sent me to public school…
I guess we will be in great company with plenty of prophets, bishops and stake presidents families… I am ok with that! We will make our own!! :P
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/6.38?lang=eng#37
yeah, but what if your child won’t homeschool? i tried, and tried, and tried. my 8 year old did a semester homeschooled. i thought “i may die before she ever does anything!”. i spent hours reminding her to stop playing and to do her work. our relationship deteriorated and her rate of learning significantly decreased. i have four children. i have meals to prepare, laundry to do, a house to clean, and bills to pay. i don’t have an entire day (not even four hours) to sit right by her to make sure she is doing her work. if i owned a large home, and could convert a room to a classroom it might be different, but i don’t. she needs to be somewhere she can focus on learning, and that is school. if there was a free LDS school…i’d be there. even $1000 is too much