As I reflect on the new school year, I am reminded of the unique challenges my children face in choosing their classes. With four children in three different schools, my wife and I have come to appreciate the importance of agency and desire in shaping our children's educational journey.
However, a recent keynote devotional by Elder Neil L. Andersen at BYU Education Week has given me much food for thought. In his talk, he introduced a new concept that resonated deeply with me: educating our righteous desires.
The question Elder Andersen posed was simple yet profound: How are we educating our righteous desires? It's not about what classes we take or which extracurricular activities we participate in; it's about cultivating the right mindset and desires that align with our spiritual goals.
As I pondered this question, I realized that my approach to guiding my children was largely focused on their external choices rather than their internal motivations. Are you taking Spanish classes? Did you make time for seminary? These questions, while well-intentioned, miss the mark in terms of educating our righteous desires.
Elder Andersen's message was not limited to education alone; it was a broader call to examine our lives and desires in light of our spiritual aspirations. He encouraged us to 'step by step, year by year, through His grace and our will, [to] understand His will for us better.'
This process requires patience and persistence, but the rewards are immeasurable. As we learn to educate our righteous desires, we become more attuned to God's plan for us and increasingly transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Consider the words of Romans 12:2: 'Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.'
In a similar way, my children's choices in school are not just about academics; they're about cultivating a growth mindset and developing a sense of agency that will serve them well in life. And so too with us as adults. Our choices, big or small, reflect our righteous desires and the kind of person we want to become.
As I look back on my own journey, I realize that making commitments – whether in school, in covenants with Heavenly Father, or in other areas of life – requires discipline and self-awareness. It's a process of submitting one's will to God's plan and trusting in His guidance.
Quoting Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Elder Andersen said, 'The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar.' This phrase has stuck with me, as it underscores the importance of prioritizing our spiritual growth and development above all else.
In conclusion, educating our righteous desires is not just a concept; it's a way of life. It requires us to reflect on who we want to become, what choices we make, and how we can align those choices with God's will for us. By doing so, we can become the best version of ourselves and fulfill our spiritual potential.