The Vast Toolbox of Education

I was so excited to write another blog post, because I was going to go all nerdy and talk about my favorite book series, the Chronicles of Narnia… But it just wasn’t flowing. (Maybe it was a sign.)

Let me tell you about something a little more relevant in my life.

So, in case you don’t remember my last post, I just graduated from college in December with a violin performance degree, and a couple months ago was gearing up for a graduate school audition. I did the audition! And I felt great about it! But apparently, the committee hearing me didn’t think so. Or, I should rephrase that, since I’ve visited with them about what was lacking and how I can improve—apparently, I don’t quite fit the specific criteria for the program. And it’s a small program. (Teeny tiny.) So, I wasn’t accepted.

(Disclaimer—I’m actually not that upset. I’m disappointed, sure. But not shocked. And I’m not mad at all. I just really really wanted to use that meme when I started typing “apparently” a bunch…)

So. Now what? I didn’t apply to any other programs, because (surprise!) I got engaged and didn’t want to live in a totally different place than my soon-to-be husband. I told myself I’d just keep my job and try to get some students to teach, but deep down I was still feeling unresolved. Unfulfilled. Like, aren’t I supposed to be furthering my education?? I thought for sure I needed a graduate degree. Both of my parents have at least two graduate degrees each. I’ve always had this vision for myself of how my education and professional life would play out.

Now let’s jump to a totally unrelated topic.

This morning, I was studying scriptures with my fiancé. We were reading in the first book of Nephi in the Book of Mormon about the story of Nephi building the ship that his family used to sail to the promised land. The story, for those who may be unfamiliar with it or who need a refresher, goes like this.

Nephi goes up into a mountain and prays to God, and God gives him the commandment to build a ship. Nephi, who is one faithful dude, doesn’t complain like his brothers probably would have. He doesn’t doubt. Instead, he says this: “Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?” (1 Nephi 17:9)

He doesn’t expect the Lord to build the ship for him, he doesn’t ask for tools, he doesn’t even ask for the materials for the tools! He asks for direction. Once he receives instructions on where to find the ore to make the tools, he proceeds to make his own bellows out of “the skins of beasts”. He builds a fire, uses the homemade bellows to melt the ore, then makes tools to build the ship from that molten ore. And THEN he starts to build.

That really impressed me. Do you think God could have shown Nephi a place where an already-built ship was sitting in the harbor, ready to board? Definitely. Could He have handed Nephi the perfectly-constructed tools at least? Absolutely. But the Lord knew Nephi wouldn’t learn and grow if he had things just handed to him. So He helped Nephi construct the tools, gave him guidance and direction, and helped him accomplish the commandment He gave.

Now back to my life. I had a phone conversation with my parents this afternoon, during which I updated them on the grad school situation and shared with them my feelings about it. And I got some pretty wonderful advice from my dad (and very few dad jokes or puns with it, which is rare). He and my mom advised me to consider my options and find out what I could about each, and then he told me that it’s not the end of the world if I don’t get a master’s degree in violin. I could get a graduate degree in law! Or business! Or I could expand my knowledge and training in other ways. The point he made was that there are so many opportunities for education in life, I shouldn’t feel like I’m only good enough or accomplished enough if I do one certain thing.

This piece of advice gave me hope. Can you imagine if Nephi had only melted enough ore to make one hammer? And how difficult that would have made it to build an entire ship? God provided the raw materials and instructions to the young Nephi, and Nephi (wisely) used those gifts to make a variety of tools.

Likewise, we’ve been commanded to make education a big part of our lives. “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). “Study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people” (D&C 90:15). “It is my will that you should… obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion” (D&C 93:53). “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning” (Proverbs 1:5). But Heavenly Father does not leave us to fend for ourselves—He has given each of us talents, direction, and spiritual gifts and has promised that as we cultivate them and use them to obtain education, we will be blessed.

Perhaps navigating life is like building a ship; if so, we are fortunate to have education as our tools. But we need not limit ourselves to just a hammer, or just a college degree! That’s a pretty narrow way of thinking. Learning is a life-long adventure, and we would do well to use the gifts our Father has given us to expand our knowledge and skills. And let’s be clear—even though it would be really nice to have facts and information somehow planted in our brains, or to have a fancy piece of paper handed to us titled “master’s degree”, God doesn’t work that way. We have to put in the effort in order to gain anything and to grow.

So. Will I move forward with my plan to get a degree beyond my bachelor’s? Possibly. But I could also apply myself in the workplace, or get a degree in business and start up that bakery I’ve only ever dreamed about, or study writing and literature and (hey, who knows) get deeper into this blog-writing thing. Maybe I’ll read up on cooking styles and techniques and get fancy in the kitchen. Maybe I’ll learn more about musicianship by teaching. I suppose I could invest in a rocking chair and take up crocheting.

But one thing is certain—I will not mope around and think that my future educational opportunities are restricted. I will apply myself in whatever situation I find myself in. And I will look to Jesus Christ, who gives me strength and the beautiful hope that things only continue to get better and better if I’m focusing on Him.