Training for Practical Life
265
is essential, not only as a safeguard against the vicissitudes of life, but
as an aid to all-round development
Physical Labor Is Not Degrading—It is a popular error with a
large class to regard work as degrading; therefore young men are very
anxious to educate themselves to become teachers, clerks, merchants,
lawyers, and to occupy almost any position that does not require
physical labor. Young women regard housework as belittling. And
although the physical exercise required to perform household labor,
if not too severe, is calculated to promote health, yet they seek for an
education that will fit them to become teachers or clerks, or they learn
some trade that will confine them indoors, to sedentary employment
The world is full of young men and women who pride themselves
upon their ignorance of any useful labor; and they are, almost invari-
ably, frivolous, vain, fond of display, unhappy, unsatisfied, and too
often dissipated and unprincipled. Such characters are a blot upon
society and a disgrace to their parents
[348]
None of us should be ashamed of work, however small and servile
it may appear. Labor is ennobling. All who toil with head or hands
are working men or working women. And all are doing their duty
and honoring their religion as much while working at the washtub or
washing dishes as they are in going to meeting. While the hands are
engaged in the most common labor, the mind may be elevated and
ennobled by pure and holy thoughts
Youth to Be Masters, Not Slaves of Labor—The youth should
be led to see the true dignity of labor
One great reason why physical toil is looked down on is the slip-
shod, unthinking way in which it is so often performed. It is done from
necessity, not from choice. The worker puts no heart into it, and he
neither preserves self-respect nor wins the respect of others. Manual
training should correct this error. It should develop habits of accuracy
and thoroughness. Pupils should learn tact and system; they should
learn to economize time and to make every move count. They should
not only be taught the best methods, but be inspired with ambition
8
Education, 215
.
9
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 291
.
10
Health Reformer, December, 1877
.
11
Testimonies For The Church 4:590
.
12
Education, 214
.