School and Sunday

Although I was motivated to share this short quote/thought due to a discussion a few of us had at the Webster house on Father’s day this quote is something that made a huge difference in my academic success during college; but a little background first.

After high school I was lucky enough to have an early birthday and leave on an LDS mission only 3 months after graduating. Before leaving I applied to Utah State University; I was very excited to get the approval letter back saying yes but with a few conditions that were a little shaky. USU told me that, because my academic record from high school was sub-par, I would be on academic probation for the first year of college and if I didn’t do well enough I would get the boot and have to go somewhere else..

After returning home from a mission that totally changed me I, needless to say, felt a little pressure to get good grades. One day while studying I came across this quote from a true apostle Elder James E. Faust;

“Over a lifetime of observation, it is clear to me that the farmer who observes the Sabbath day seems to get more done on his farm than he would if he worked seven days. The mechanic will be able to turn out more and better products in six days than in seven. The doctor, the lawyer, the dentist, the scientist will accomplish more by trying to rest on the Sabbath than if he tries to utilize every day of the week for his professional work. I would counsel all students, if they can, to arrange their schedules so that they do not study on the Sabbath. If students and other seekers after truth will do this, their minds will be quickened and the infinite Spirit will lead them to the verities they wish to learn. This is because God has hallowed his day and blessed it as a perpetual covenant of faithfulness. (See Ex. 31:16.)” James E. Faust, “The Lord’s Day,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 33

Upon reading this I felt that I really needed all the extra help I could get so I decided to do all I could to receive that promise. After 4 1/2 years of school I see the fulfillment of that promise in my life 100%! The last few years of school I had great grades and a few perfect semesters, was designated an undergraduate research scholar, public relations student of the year, public relations campaign of the year, nominated for USU’s achievement of the year award and awarded the Visionary Team Award by a professional fraternity.

I do not list these to boast in any way but to show that the Lord fulfills his promises! I know there is no way I could have achieved those things on my own without God changing who I was and keeping his promise as I did all I could to keep my end of the deal, although it meant some pretty early Monday mornings

All over the scriptures refer to the “greater things.” Abraham talked about becoming a “greater follower [and wanting] greater knowledge” person many times, and the Law of Moses was instituted because the Israelites could not live the higher law, or the “greater things.” In my opinion, REAL observance of the Sabbath day is one of those greater things and it occurs naturally when we have a clean hands (the law) and a pure heart (the greater things).