Week One

Note Taking

• As a learner, what are the implications of knowing that I am an agent, blessed with agency, who can act rather than an object that is merely acted upon?

    As a learner, the implications of knowing that I have been blessed with agency reaffirms the personal accountability that I hold when in comes to furthering my learning, as what and how I learn affects my eternal progression. As an agent, not only can I choose what to learn and how to learn it - but also why and where I apply my learning. I've reflected upon the following: 

Do I apply my learning in situations where I am prideful and it gives me the upper hand? Do I share my learning with others to increase their faith in Jesus Christ? President David O. Mackay (1873-1970) taught that "learning for "which the Church stands - is the application of knowledge to the development of a noble and Godlike character"". I am inspired to "acquire and apply knowledge for righteousness" (Elder David A. Bednar, 2008) as I am reminded of the gift I've been given in this mortal probation. 

• How will understanding and effectively fulfilling my individual responsibility as a learner prepare me for the world in which I do now and will yet live?

    Understanding and effectively fulfilling my individual responsibility as a learner helps me prepare for the world in which I do now and will yet live by centralizing my learning on gospel truths and learning to rely on the Holy Ghost in my secular pursuits. Knowing that I'm on earth to learn, and that I will only be able to bring that acquired knowledge and intelligence with me once I leave this mortal sojourn, directs the way in which I choose to spend my time. Furthermore, if I am productive with my time, learning new skills, understanding difficult ideas, etc., I will be more equipped and prepared for opportunities that are to come. I will feel capable in taking on new callings, jobs or roles, versus feeling afraid due to lack of preparation or knowledge. I think of my calling as Relief Society President, and how I am ever-learning in this role. If I were to cease learning, I would not be prepared to respond to the various situations the sisters face, to lead, to counsel in meetings and to even ask my Father in Heaven for help. I know we should always ask for wisdom from Heavenly Father, however, when I ask having studied it out in my mind, or having looked for answers, I feel more confidence and less shame than when I don't even make an effort on my own. I believe that making a personal effort to learn and discover answers honors the gift that is our agency. 

• What isn’t learning? What is learning?

   

    Learning isn't stuffing all the possible amounts of facts or data that we can into our brains. Learning isn't about grades or performance. I believe that learning is growth or progression. Learning involves a growth mindset - appreciating the bumps and challenges that help mold our understanding and overall learning of a concept. Learning is using what we've learned as wisdom to share with others, and being able to explain what we've learned with others. Learning is being engaged, and expanding one's capability to learn what may be presented before us. Learning is studying it out in our minds secularly and with faith. 

• Why should we learn?

    We should learn because learning is what advances our temporal and spiritual development. Learning is what will prepare us to become God and Goddesses, to grow towards the potential the Heavenly Father sees in us. Learning is what will help us be capable in becoming and choosing an eternal companion, raising a family, to provide, forgive and repent, to bring others unto Christ, to discern what we need to change of our characters, among many other things. 

• How should we learn?

    We should learn by the Spirit, and by studying matters out from a secular and spiritual perspective. We should also learn by planning out ways in which we can increase our understanding when there is a topic we are challenged with, and aim to share our learning with others in order for our acquired knowledge to be strengthened. We should make a habit of seeking confirmation through prayer of the knowledge we obtain. 

• What do your answers to the above questions have to do with your time here at BYU-Idaho?

    The answers to the above questions have everything to do with my time here at BYU-Idaho! I know that there will be material in my school career that I confronted with that I may not initially comprehend - however, by understanding my personal responsibility to learn (and the agency I have to do so), my capacity and willingness to learn will be increased. I will learn to rely more on the Holy Ghost to bring matters unto my remembrance and help me discern what is true and what I really need to retain. I will

also feel more naturally inclined to share what I learn with others, within class and outside of it. I will be a leader and teacher when it comes to learning. I will also seek help when I need it, prioritizing my learning and not leaving it for the last minute. If I build a foundation of learning and learning to love learning now during my time at BYU-I, I will be set up for all of the learning that is to come after. 

• What was most profound or surprising from the articles? Why did this grab you so much?

    What was most profound to me from the article I read was "The overarching purpose of Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness is to provide His spirit children with opportunities to learn". It then continues on to read: "The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the agency afforded to all of the Father's children through the Redeemer's infinite and eternal sacrifice are divinely designed to facilitate our learning". This stood out to me the most because it made me ponder upon all the ways in which I can learn... I can learn to be happy, forgive, love, understand, among new skills, talents, etc. Without those opportunities to learn, there isn't any way that I could progress temporally or eternally. I felt gratitude for the existence of opposition, because it allows me to exercise the gift of agency that I've been given. It nurtures my personal testimony on what is true and what I need on this earth to be happy.

     To add, I thought to myself: "The cost of my agency was the Savior's life". How precious I must be to Him that He would sacrifice His life for me to learn from my flawed ways. This provides a greater appreciation for learning, & nourishes my desire to learn even when I feeling afraid, lazy or discouraged. The opportunity to learn is an opportunity to feel so loved. I am very thankful that my Heavenly Father loves me so much that He has given me the opportunity to come and gain understanding for myself, so that I, in my heart and mind, can learn of things that will bring me sincere joy. 

• What are some typical things you or other college students do that show you care more about the grade than actually learning?

Some things that I or other college students do that show I care more about the grade than actually learning are:

- putting in effort into an assignment or exam in accordance to how much it is worth,
- only showing up for a Zoom meeting or class because it affects one's grade but not actually participating or making an effort to get anything out of it

- missing class and seeking to "make it up" later

- feeling really sad/discouraged if an exam or assignment does not result in a perfect grade 

- the inability to explain a topic you've learned, even though you aced an exam or assignments relating to that topic 

• What are you learning about the learning process from the examples of “top-notch” college students illustrated in the video "A Private Universe?"

    What I am learning about the learning process is that even throughout years of education, some learning is not retained or some concepts are not actually understood. Almost every student thought that they had the correct answer, but failed to confirm if it was true. If we don't seek to receive a confirmation of our learning, or revisit our learning in case what we've learned is out of date, we will be teaching others (and ourselves) inaccurately. We have to make sure that no matter our environment, whether it's a fancy school like Harvard or home learning, that we are taking the personal responsibility to ensure that what we learn stays with us and is authentic in nature. 

• What questions do you still have? Write down any questions that have come to your mind from watching the video above.

How can one retain learning even after years of education? What role does an instructor play in my learning?

Weekly Reflection Questions

• What personal impressions did you have as you reviewed the material?

Some thoughts and impressions that I received from these verses are that it is vital in these days to have a strong foundation within my testimony. Having a testimony does not make you immune to the enticing whispers of the world, but having a strongly founded testimony that is nurtured daily certainly makes you resistant to it. I also thought of the importance in having a support system that is close to me and shares my beliefs. It’s easier to fall off the covenant path if we do not have people around us that can guide us back to where we should be. I also felt prompted to share my testimony even more than I do now and to not be afraid to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ when I am part of a conversation that differs from the gospel.

• What did you learn from your peers this week?

Something that that was more so reaffirmed to me as I read Nancy's post was that malnutrition, that doesn't just occur as a lack of resources, is also a threat to the family. I thought of my own habits and habits I've seen in my family, and understood how malnutrition can strain the family physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Proper diet is needed so family members can be in good moods, strong to do their school work and go to work, among many other things. From Kelsie, I learned how individualism is an intense threat against the family - one that targets everyone of all ages. It is a  truth that we should prioritize ourselves and our needs, however, the adversary tries to manipulate that into family members neglecting the needs of others. 

• How is this lesson helpful to you as a family advocate?

This lesson is helpful to me as a family advocate because I was able to more clearly identify and understand the threats to the family. I realize now, more than ever, that I need to be mindful of what I am accepting into my life because that will impact my attitude and thoughts, affecting my family. There are so many small yet significant ways in which the adversary is trying to attack the family and devalue it as a system and source of love. By studying worldly issues that threaten the family, I can advocate for the family using secular and spiritual perspectives, and the correct language. Most of all, this lesson helped me to see aspects of my life that I can change so that I can advocate for the family as an individual that "walks the walk". since some of the biggest lessons in life are taught by example.