“We need to educate more deeply and more powerfully than we have ever done before or than anyone has ever done,” said Elder Kim B. Clark, commissioner of the Church Educational System and member of the Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to faculty and staff at BYU.
Speaking during a conference for BYU faculty and staff, Elder Clark said better and better educational opportunities are possible and necessary at BYU.
“Deep learning is inherently a spiritual experience,” he said. “The rising generation will learn deeply as they diligently work and seek learning, and as the redeeming and strengthening powers of Christ work more powerfully in their lives.”
Elder Clark said inspiring others to learn takes spiritual effort on the part of the teacher.
“Inspired teaching that supports deep learning is also a spiritual experience,” he said. “We, too, need the Atonement of the Savior to work more powerfully in our lives so that we can help the rising generation learn more deeply.”
During his remarks, Elder Clark described BYU’s role in the Church Educational System’s new Global Educational Initiative, an approach to provide educational opportunities to members of the Church through online courses, classes from local education providers and local gatherings
“We have a sacred responsibility to do all we can to help many more of the rising generation, and many of the older generation, to obtain that kind of education,” he said. “Increased opportunities for education are vital for building up the kingdom of God and establishing Zion across the earth.”
While BYU is an exceptional place, it will also face difficult times ahead, Elder Clark said.
“I hope this place will always be a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, a great temple of learning protected by legions of angels,” he said. “But the reality is that BYU is on the front lines of the war between good and evil. BYU is a hot spot, a battle zone, in that war.”
Even with challenges, Elder Clark said as BYU faculty and staff rely more fully on the Lord, through faith and revelation, many opportunities will open.
“We need [to rely on the Lord] to move forward to do things that seem impossible—like educate more deeply, serve many more students, and do all of it at a lower relative cost,” Elder Clark said. “The Lord will break the tradeoffs that seem ironclad. He will open doors that are closed. He will inspire and guide and provide. He is in charge.”
Elder Clark's remarks will be archived on speeches.byu.edu.
Writer: Trevor Morgan
