Revealed Educational Principles and the Public Schools

by Jack Monnett

This book tells the history of the Church of Jesus Christ's (Mormon or LDS) doctrines on education in Utah. The book takes us through the change from private to public education. The members of the church essentially rejected their leaders and sent their children to the cheaper, tax-supported public schools. In response, the church set up a separate education system to complement the public schools.

Genres: Education, Religion, History

257 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Karyn Tripp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really been surprised as I read this book. I had no idea how strongly the LDS church leaders spoke out against public education in the early days. This is something I never even knew about until I startd this book. They continuously warned & practically begged the people to not send their children to the free, public schools.

This book is a history of the church & their education in the early days of the state of Utah. Public schools were just starting. It has quotes from prophets, letters from teachers of the church schools, & many other references detailing the history of how the people ignored the counsel over & over again on education.

Very enlightening!

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book regarding the early LDS church's history with education. Brigham Young warned the saints to avoid the "free" public schools and stick with tuition-paid schools where the church could control the curriculum and who taught there. But the saints either ignored the advice, or couldn't afford the church tuition schools. Also, the church had trouble recruiting good teachers with what little salary they could afford to offer back then (at times teachers were asked to treat their job as a calling and do it for free). So given all these reasons, the church membership drifted over to government schools. One can't help but wonder what might have been if the church had been successful with keeping its schools. However, all this eventually led to seminary and the church's academies and universities. There are many great quotes by general authorities in this book regarding education, which makes it worth having. A couple of gems:

“I am opposed to free education as much as I am opposed to taking property from one man and giving it to another who knows not how to take care of it... I do not believe in allowing my charities to go through the hands of robbers who pocket nine tenths them-selves and give one tenth to the poor... Would I encourage free schools by taxation? No!” –Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses Vol. 18, p. 357)

“A glance over the conditions of mankind in this our day with its misery, discontent, and corruption, and disintegration of the social, religious, and philosophic fabrics, shows that this generation has been put into the balance and has been found wanting. A following, therefore, in the old grooves, would simply lead to the same results, and that is what the Lord has designed shall be avoided in Zion. President Brigham Young felt it in his heart that an educational system ought to be inaugurated in Zion in which, as he put it in his terse way of saying things, neither the alphabet nor the multiplication table should be taught without the Spirit of God.” – Karl G. Maeser (Educating Zion, p. 2)

[Melody]

Did not finish.

I made it through Chapter 1. It wasn't quite what I was looking for/thought it was.

A quote I liked:

"If on the Sabbath day, when we are assembled here to worship the Lord, one of the Elders should be prompted to give us a lecture on any branch of education with which he is acquainted, is it outside the pale of our religion? I think not. If any of the Elders are disposed to give a lecture to parents and children on letters, on the rudiments of the English language, it is my religion, it is part of my faith. Or if one Elder shall give us a lecture upon astronomy, chemistry, or geology, our religion embraces it all. It matters not what the subject be, if it tends to improve the mind, exalt the feelings, and enlarge the capacity. The truth is that in all the arts and sciences forms a part of our religion." ("Journal of Discourses," Vol. 1. p. 335.)

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a very important read for any LDS educators, whether you are involved in the public or private schools or are a homeschooler (or are a parent trying to make educational decisions for your child(ren)). This is important LDS history for members to know and understand. (The book goes through the history of early public schools in Utah, the beginning of church private schools, challenges the Church and its members faced, the academies, and the coming forth of the CES/seminary programs.) There are a lot of quotes and principles taught by early church leaders that we no longer talk about these days, just because we focus so much on the most recent prophets...but these things should be known by the general LDS population. I LOVED the quotes and principles highlighted throughout. I practically underlined and marked up the whole book! Fantastic read!

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the principles of this book; it was just a little confusing to read the history as I felt like he went back and forth between time periods. Anyway, the main message I got was FOLLOW THE PROPHET FOR HEAVENS SAKE! LOL. And I really feel like I read it at a good time. As I watched many people not heading the counsel of the prophet on this prop 102 issue and reading about the pioneers not listening about education, I think okay, so when am I and all others going to start listening? We can only achieve Zion when we have unity, and we can only have unity as we heed the prophet’s counsel and seek truth.

[Christy Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this about 10 yrs ago and need to reread it to see if I still feel it deserves the same rating. It is about how the early church members turned away from the church private schools to the free public schools. Brigham Young and John Taylor pleaded and pleaded with the saints to stay with the private church schools warning about state run govt schools and the "infidels" teaching the children. Obviously, the church is now neutral and the result was the seminary program to compensate the loss of lds private school.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Hard to slog through, but it is very interesting to learn what early prophets and Church leaders had to say about public schools. They weren't impressed and they warned about the very problems we see today. I highly recommend anyone who is seriously interested in discovering where they stand in how they choose to educate their children. That does NOT mean I think eveyone should pull their children out of PS and homeschool. I just mean option exploring is always a good thing.

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that essentially confirmed for me the idea that my children's education was my responsibility. As I read it I kept thinking to myself, "I had no idea that the prophets had said this."
I now find myself constantly questioning why I do what I do and if I'm doing things simply because I've been conditioned by society to do things a certain way. This book was the beginning of that questioning for me.

[Ben Marchant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful compendium of the teachings of Latter Day prophets on the subject of education which follows the corresponding history of the Latter Day Saints who failed to obey. A higher law was taught and then revoked for disobedience. Four generations later, it is time for a new generation to reclaim the higher law with its attendant blessings by taking action within their own homes with their own families.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be approached as an array of quotes and history pieced together about the beginnings of education among the Latter-day-Saints in Utah. I had never heard of most of this and I grew up in the church. It validated my choice to homeschool. If you are pro-public school, I wouldn't recommend this.

[Candi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned how important it is to pay for your education. You value it more.
Interesting insight on the lives of the early Utah public and private school systems. A must read to help solidify the importance of having God, and faith building books and lectures in our school curriculum for our children.

[Janiece · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books, not just because of the fabulous insights into the history of public education in Utah and proper eternal educational principles, but because of the profound insights into many other principles as well. I have read this more than once and have referred to it often.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say this is an enjoyable book but I would say it's a significant book. It has helped me in some decision making and has given me confirmation in some conclusions that I've come to about the education system as it relates to my children and the development of faith.

[Dietmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

currently reading--some parts are hard to trudge through--but does not detract from the fact that it is very very interesting!

[Jessica]

What an eye-opener! I had no idea what the early modern-day prophets said about public schooling! Read if you dare :)

[Misty Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting historical look at education in the LDS community.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book that I didn't know. I am still digesting it.

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting! Gave me confidence that we're doing the right thing by homeschooling our children.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not an easy but it contains some priceless knowledge about lds history and even our expected future. Like another reviewer said... Read it if you dare! :)

[Melanie Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to help learn about the history of education in Utah and what the early Prophets said about Public schools.

[Autumn Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Info is Poorly organized, but still incredible info.