LDS Perspectives On Self Reliance
I gave my kids some advice before they went off to college. "There’s a lot of college educated people out there pumping gasoline," I told them. "Be sure you train for an occupation that will adequately take care of the needs of your future family." There is a lot that can be said about getting a broad, well balanced education but this shouldn’t come at the expense of being well trained for an occupation to meet your financial needs through the coming years. I believe we live in the most unique and wonderful period of the earth’s history to date. It has been estimated that three-quarters of present knowledge has been acquired in the last fifty years. From the 4th century to 1900, knowledge doubled once during this 1500 year period. From 1900-1950 knowledge doubled again in 50 years. From 1950-1965 it doubled again in 15 years. From 1965 to 1975, in just 10 years, it doubled again. Many experts believe that knowledge is now doubling every five years and that in 20 years it will be doubling every year. Just 100 years ago the world was a very, very different place with this kind of change now accelerating. Never before in the history of the earth have we as individuals known so much about so little. The average person’s job today only covers a tiny slice of his field. He knows a great deal about one tiny sliver of the spectrum of world knowledge but comparatively little about the rest of it. It’s imperative that we keep up with at least the sliver of the pie we are responsible for if we don’t want to be left in the dust. (Being so compartmentalized is also where some of the problems with true self reliance lie.) Aside from finding an occupation that will support your family you should find something you like doing. Few things are worse than a job you detest and is going nowhere much like being strapped to a ball and chain. Work should not only be enjoyable but should give a sense of self-worth; that you are doing something that is making a difference. And in your work you should give honest work for the money and benefits you receive and be honest and trustworthy to your employer. He deserves at least that. Nothing truly valuable ever comes easy in life and so it is with an occupation that meets your needs and your unique personal traits. To gain the training and the position may take years of work and sacrifice. But in your sacrificing, don’t sacrifice what you want most in life for what you want now. Stay the course, it will be worth it. And through it all, you must stay close to the Lord. Don’t be one of the many who are climbing the wrong mountain. Set the course that is pleasing to Him. | |||||
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