Church education leaders at recent large-scale devotionals in Provo and Salt Lake City urged students to integrate spiritual study with academic pursuits, emphasizing that religious commitment should remain a central priority during the university years. During gatherings held in late 2024, officials from the Church Educational System encouraged youth to view higher education as a religious responsibility that requires divine partnership.
Consecrating Learning to Heaven
At a devotional held on Nov. 10, 2024, at Brigham Young University's Marriott Center, Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and the Church's commissioner of education, told hundreds of seminary-age youth and parents to "consecrate their learning to heaven." Gilbert noted that while many Americans currently question the necessity of a four-year degree, education remains fundamentally important to the Lord.
Divine Partnership in Education
Elder Gilbert quoted President Russell M. Nelson's teaching that education is a religious responsibility, stating, "If it is a religious responsibility, He is going to help you. You need to involve the Lord." He promised students that God would bless them in ways they could not imagine if they made Him a partner in their academic efforts. Gilbert suggested this partnership can be maintained at any institution by prioritizing seminary and institute classes throughout high school and college.
Rejecting False Dichotomies
During the same November event, BYU President C. Shane Reese addressed the crowd alongside his wife, Sister Wendy Reese. Reese pushed back against the idea that students must choose between spiritual and academic strength, calling it a "false dichotomy." He stated that the university is "unequivocally true to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" and aims to be a Christ-centered, prophetically directed institution.
Spiritual Preparation for Students
President Reese encouraged prospective students to prepare themselves spiritually by reading scriptures regularly and developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. He noted that such preparation includes engaging in seminary discussions and maintaining meaningful communication with Heavenly Father. Reese, who has served as BYU president since May 1, 2023, previously held roles as the university's Academic Vice President and dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
Prioritizing Testimony in College
At a separate devotional held on Oct. 13, 2024, at the University of Utah's Jon M. Huntsman Center, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles urged approximately 10,000 youth and young adults to give the Lord "equal time" in their university experience. He warned students against the pressure of being over-committed to grades, work, or difficult professors, stating, "You cannot put your testimony on the shelf during your college years."
Promises of Academic Enhancement
Elder Rasband encouraged students to balance learning by study and by faith through participation in seminary and institute. He promised that giving the Lord equal time would result in enhanced academic pursuits, increased capacity for coursework, and the opening of doors that might otherwise remain closed. The event at the Huntsman Center was hosted by the Salt Lake City Utah University Institute of Religion.
Developing Disciples and Leaders
The mission of BYU-Idaho was also highlighted by President Alvin F. Meredith III. Speaking at the November Provo devotional, Meredith emphasized that the university's core mission is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who serve as leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities. He noted that students at BYU-Idaho have the unique opportunity to grow in both scholarship and discipleship.
