As August rolls around, it signals the start of a new school year for many families, including mine. This year, my wife and I find ourselves juggling the schedules of four children attending three different schools. The dynamics of each child’s educational experience vary, with the youngest two daughters having little say in their elementary school curriculum, while their older siblings have more flexibility in choosing their classes.
The youngest children often express a desire for more autonomy in selecting what they study at school, while the older ones sometimes struggle with the abundance of choices available to them. It can be overwhelming to navigate through the myriad of options and make decisions that align with their interests and future goals.
Recently, at BYU Education Week held on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles introduced a thought-provoking concept during his keynote devotional. He spoke about agency and desire, urging attendees to reflect on their righteous desires and how they are nurturing them.
Elder Andersen posed a profound question, “How are you educating your righteous desires?” This question resonated with me as I reflected on the conversations I have with my children about their academic choices. While I often focus on practical considerations such as extracurricular activities or college readiness, Elder Andersen’s perspective shifted the focus to a higher purpose – aligning our desires with God’s will.
He emphasized that the challenges we face in life provide us with opportunities to choose whether to align ourselves with Heavenly Father’s plan for us. Through patience and persistence, we can come to understand His will and allow our desires to harmonize with His.
Elder Andersen’s message reminded me of the importance of aligning our choices with our ultimate goals and aspirations. Just as my children make decisions about their classes based on their interests and future plans, we too must make choices that lead us closer to becoming the individuals God intends us to be.
While my children may not always choose the classes I would have picked for them, I trust in their potential and allow them the freedom to make their own decisions. Similarly, Heavenly Father sees our true potential and allows us the agency to make choices that shape our spiritual growth and development.
As we make commitments and covenants with God, we demonstrate our willingness to submit our will to His. This act of surrendering our desires to align with His plan is a deeply personal and transformative process, as Elder Maxwell eloquently expressed.
Educating our righteous desires involves a deliberate effort to align our choices with our ultimate goals and aspirations. By setting an example for our children and demonstrating how to make decisions that reflect our values and beliefs, we can guide them in navigating the complexities of life’s classroom.
In conclusion, as we embark on a new school year filled with choices and opportunities, let us remember to educate our righteous desires and align our actions with God’s will. Just as my children navigate their academic journey, may we too make choices that lead us closer to becoming the individuals God intends us to be.
