Three Scriptures to Strengthen You

Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies

Recommendations

More Information

Educating for Zion

Quotes from LDS Church Leaders

Scriptures on Education

Benefits of Homeschooling

They Don't Call it School for Nothing!

But What About Socialization?

Homeschooling During a Family Health Crisis

Why Homeschool?

Families choose to homeschool for a multitude of reasons. Some families start because of traumatic experiences their child had in school and some families never send their child to public school in the first place. Whatever the initial reasons, they usually discover a multitude of additional benefits once they begin.

I was talking to a homeschooling friend one day when she said she felt "divinely led" to homeschool. I was a little surprised by her choice of words simply because she doesn't belong to any church. I wasn’t even sure if she believed in God. However, I think many Latter-day Saint homeschoolers can say the same thing. At one time or another we have felt the hand of the Lord guiding us toward our decision to homeschool. Perhaps it was through some experiences we had, because of something we read, or a friend we made. In my own case, it seems uncanny the way things happened. I know that certain people were placed in my path to open my mind to the idea of homeschooling.

Homeschooling is a big step and not one that anyone would take lightly. After all, a family’s future is at stake. For LDS families, before we actually start thinking of ourselves as homeschoolers, we usually go to the Lord in prayer and receive a confirmation that it is the best choice for our family. In some cases, the Lord may even let a family know they should homeschool before they have actually prayed about it.

Even with a confirmation from God, we may feel inadequate. We might wonder how we’re going to do it and if we’re going to “ruin” our children. We may even forget about the confirmation we received and have the notion to throw in the towel, perhaps on a daily basis! I have even run in to a few people that I would describe as frenzied. They are in a panic wondering how in the world they will do it.

TOP

Three Scriptures to Strengthen You

I would like to suggest three important scripture verses that we should remember when we have these feelings of doubt and discouragement. Thinking about these scriptures and turning to the Lord in prayer can bring the calming influence of the Holy Ghost so that we will have no need to fear.

One of the first scriptures many LDS children learn is 1 Nephi 3:7.

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he hath commandeth them."

This is a true principle! It was true for Nephi and it is still true today for you and me. God loves us, so He will provide the way for us do anything He expects us to do. He doesn’t leave us to fend for ourselves if we turn to Him. That doesn’t mean it won’t require work on our part, or that there won’t be challenges and difficulties. In fact, I can guarantee there will be. But with God on our side, nothing is impossible.

That brings me to the second scripture verse which is Romans 8:31. It says, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” With God on your side, you will be on the right side no matter who thinks you are crazy or stupid. Even though you may be the only homeschool family in your ward, in your town or even in your state, with God on your side, you are never alone. And fortunately, there are now many online support groups, newsletters and websites like this one, and homeschool conferences to help you.

The last scripture verse I like to remember is Mosiah 4:27.

"It is not requisite that a man run faster than he has strength." In other words, it’s not necessary that we do more than we are capable of doing. God knows our hearts and He knows what we are capable of doing. If He told us to homeschool, then He knows that what we have to give is enough to make it happen. There may be certain homeschool styles that are better for us with our unique personalities and circumstances than others. If we ask, He will lead us to what is right for us. I know this is true because it happened to me and to others I know. If one method or curriculum isn’t working for you, search for something else.

TOP

Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies

One of my favorite thoughts is, "Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." (Thomas S. Monson, “Duty Calls,” Ensign, May 1996, 43) Of all people, we in the church should be familiar with this principle. When we sustain people in our wards and branches to a new calling, we know that the person called may not be the most qualified by worldly standards. We also know that through the Lord’s help, those people will usually rise to the occasion and fulfill their responsibilities, often quite remarkably.

In the various callings I have had, I have noticed a “change of heart” almost immediately upon receiving the callings. I am filled with a love for the students I teach or the people I work with. I am led to resources and ideas that help me as I prepare lessons. Sometimes, new ideas come to my mind that I had never thought of before but which will help one or more of the people in my stewardship.

This principle will also work in homeschooling. If the Lord led you to homeschool, He will help you to do your best if you turn to Him. I can even say that the Lord helps me pick how and what I will teach. He leads me to resources and ideas that help me be a better homeschooler. What He leads me to might not be what He leads you to. The important thing is that He will lead you when you must ask and have an open mind and a willing heart to receive His answers.

When things are challenging and I wonder what in the world I was thinking when I decided to homeschool, I remind myself that the Lord won’t ask me to do something that’s impossible; that when God is on my side, it doesn’t matter who isn’t; and that I don’t have to do more than I am capable of doing.  

TOP

Recommendations

TOP

More Information

Education as the Early Prophets Saw it By Darla Isackson
The Rise and Demise of Church Academies By Darla Isackson
The Development of a Home School By Reed Benson
The Role of Religion in the Founding Father's Thinking By Cleon Skousen
Public Schools and the Fundamental Purposes of Education By Darla Isackson
Education: Moving Toward and Under the Law of Consecration By Alvin R. Dyer
Why Latter-day Saints Homeschool By Joyce Kinmont
20 Questions About Homeschooling By Joyce Kinmont
What's Happening in Your School? By Gary and Joy Lundberg
Learning in an Eternal Context By Lynn E. Garner
Homeschooling is not about Education By Chris Davis
The 4 Advantages of Homeschooling By Steve Moitozo 
School@home By Christopher W. Hammons
A Gift of Time By Sue Smith-Heavenrich
The Education of Thomas Edison By Jim Powell
The Homeschooling of Andrew Wyeth
The Case for Homeschooling By Roy Lechtreck
The Why of Homeschool By Isabel Lyman
Mothers, Catch the Vision of Your Call By H. Burke Peterson
Mom—at Home By Derin Head Rodriguez
Because she is a Mother By Jeffrey R. Holland
Parents in Zion By Boyd K. Packer
Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships By Ezra Taft Benson
Great Experiences By Sterling W. Sill
The Greatest Challenge in the World—Good Parenting By James E. Faust
Love, Discipline, and Tender Hearts By Mollie H. Sorensen
Who's Minding the Children? By Orson Scott Card
When Sibling Rivalry Strikes By Darnell Zollinger
Age Segregation is Bad for Children By Karl M. Bunday
When Education Becomes Abuse By Raymond & Dorothy Moore
Life Education and Resource Network
Research and Common Sense By Raymond S. Moore
Beating the Bully Problem By Joni Hilton
Map of School Shootings
The End of Education By T. Robinson Ahlstrom
Defending the Family By Richard Wilkins
They Don’t Have to Go By Diana Sandberg
Who Decides? By Joyce Kinmont
NPR "Language Police" audio interview
How Public Education Cripples our Kids By John Taylor Gatto
Video of John Taylor Gatto, 1991
What Really Matters By John Taylor Gatto
New York State Teacher of the Year Acceptance Speech By John Taylor Gatto
The Underground History of American Education By John Taylor Gatto
Why Schools Don't Educate By John Taylor Gatto
The Six-Lesson Schoolteacher By John Taylor Gatto
On Being Salt and Light By Fred Foote
Ten Signs That You Need to Find a Different Kind of Education for your Child By Jerry Mintz
How to Teach Worldview By Cathy Duffy
Why Nerds are Unpopular By Paul Graham
Harm in the School System By Shaun Kerry
Mental Illness: Its Huge Impact on our Children By Shaun Kerry
Public Schools and the Assault on the Family By Sheldon Richman
1980 John Holt Interview from The Mother Earth News 
Two Generations of Homeschooling from the Mother Earth News