His speech will be available soon at this following link:
James Brau's Speech
Brother Brau spoke about learning and being a scholar. A lot of times people, including myself, will get caught up in "doing well" in school with the grades you get on exams and courses. However, you can still do well grade-wise but still not truly learn. This is such an obvious and profound truth; sometimes we just need to remind ourselves about this truth. He shared an insightful quote by Elder Bednar. I didn't get it all down (sorry), but not to worry because it will be on the link above soon. Here is what I got:
I have spent most of my life involved in education. When I was younger, I thought education meant going to school, taking test, and getting good grades. But as I grew older, I began to learn the difference between doing well in school and becoming educated. A person can do well on test and still not be educated….
-Elder David A. Bednar
I have been worrying a little bit recently about how I have been performing on exams, especially when I feel like I have learned SO much and understand the material. Today's devotional helped me put into perspective why I am really here and what true learning involves. I could go on forever about this, but I know that this was a tender mercy from the Lord in helping me to overcome my weaknesses, let go of my pride, and remember the things that truly matter. (We don't need to measure what we have learned by grades because that rarely represents what we have learned and accomplished).
Here are the take home notes/challenges he wanted us to have:
Challenge to the faculty:
1. Whether you teach religion, science, dance, literature, or whatever it may be, do not let one day pass by without sharing the Spirit with your students. Start each class with a prayer. Think about your class/professor ratings and the section that asks if your class is spiritually strengthening. Remember that students can go to many universities to learn the same exact content from other outstanding professors. You can change their lives at BYU (it's different here) with spiritual thoughts.
Challenges to the student body:
1. Adhere to the 4th Aim of BYU: to be a true learner/scholar. Do not be cramming seagulls (P. Faust). Learn how to learn and learn how to love learning (E. Bednar).
2. Arrange your schedule so you don't have to study on Sunday. Remember the farmers turned their tractors off at midnight on Saturday so they didn't dishonor the Sabbath.
3. If life is overwhelming, feast on the scriptures, fast and pray for our burdens will become light. Seek the strength of the Lord, for in Him we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
4. Dedicate yourself right now that you will always be on the Lord's side (Joshua 24:15). Enter to learn, go forth to serve!
Why does he share spiritual thoughts? So he can be a tool in the Master's hand.
Let's remember what life is really about! If you don't know, please visit:
Mormon.org
1 comment:
Naomi - I felt bad for not talking to you more tonight, so I'm repenting by leaving you a comment on your blog.
This was a great devotional - I'm grateful to have learned from professors that utilized the spirit while they taught. Just a few weeks ago, my econometrics professor went off on a tangent about the New Testament, and it was very inspiring. I did not plan to have my testimony of the Bible strengthened in Econ 388, but I did!
Naomi - You're awesome! I hope that you enjoyed being with your family tonight, and I hope that the rest of your finals are successful!
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