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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
which you are obtaining an education should not be lost sight of for a
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moment. It should be to so develop and direct your faculties that you
may be more useful and bless others to the extent of your ability.
If by obtaining knowledge you increase your love of yourselves
and your inclination to excuse yourselves from bearing responsibilities,
you are better without an education. If you love and idolize books,
and allow them to get between you and your duties, so that you feel
a reluctance to leave your studies and your reading to do essential
labor that someone must do, you should restrain your desire to study
and cultivate a love for doing those things in which you now take no
interest. He that is faithful in that which is least will also be faithful in
greater things.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:223, 224
(1872).
The Evils of Physical Inaction and Excessive Mental Activity—
The whole body is designed for action; and unless the physical powers
are kept in health by active exercise, the mental powers cannot long
be used to their highest capacity. The physical inaction which seems
almost inevitable in the schoolroom—together with other unhealthful
conditions—makes it a trying place for children, especially for those of
feeble constitution....No wonder that in the schoolroom the foundation
of lifelong illness is so often laid. The brain, the most delicate of all the
physical organs, and that from which the nervous energy of the whole
system is derived, suffers the greatest injury. By being forced into
premature or excessive activity, and this under unhealthful conditions,
it is enfeebled, and often the evil results are permanent.—
Education,
207, 208
(1903).
Shunning Burdens and Toil (experience of two young men)—
These young men have duties at home which they overlook. They have
not learned to take up the duties and bear the home responsibilities
which it is their duty to bear. They have a faithful, practical mother,
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who has borne many burdens which her children should not have
suffered her to bear. In this they have failed to honor their mother.
They have not shared the burdens of their father as was their duty, and
have neglected to honor him as they should. They follow inclination
rather than duty.
They have pursued a selfish course in their lives, in shunning
burdens and toil, and have failed to obtain a valuable experience which
they cannot afford to be deprived of if they would make life a success.
They have not felt the importance of being faithful in little things, nor