“The Truth Shall Make You Free”

I am fascinated by the Savior’s teaching in John 8:31–32 of the New Testament. He simply says this, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

I have pondered what it means that the truth will make us free. In John chapter 8, those to whom the Savior was speaking were confused. They told Him that they were of Abraham’s seed and that they had never been in bondage; in other words, they were already free. Why would the Savior say that they would be made free? The Savior teaches them that He was speaking of freedom from sin, which includes the blessings that His Atonement would bring to the world.

But can I share with you, the students of BYU-Pathway, that gaining an education, continuing to seek out of the best books, and training yourself to become a valuable member of society also sets you free. I am grateful for the guidance of prophets and apostles on this topic:

President Russell M. Nelson shared the following experience regarding obtaining an education: “I remember a conversation many years ago with a very bright 16-year-old high school student. He was uncertain about his religious commitment and undecided about his career. He wondered about the possibility of becoming a doctor of medicine. He asked me a simple question: ‘How many years did it take for you to become a heart surgeon?’

“I quickly made the calculations: ‘From the time I graduated from high school until I first collected a fee for service as a surgeon, it took me 14 years.’

“‘Wow!’ he replied. ‘That’s too long for me!’

“Then I asked, ‘How old will you be 14 years from now if you don’t become a heart surgeon?’

I loved that response. President Nelson was encouraging him to continue with his education and to become what he wanted to become, even though it would require sacrifice and it would require a number of years to get there. With that additional education, with the opportunity to become a physician, this young man would become free. Instead of having just one option for employment, he would have thousands of options for employment. He could choose where he would live. He could choose the type of income he would make. He would be free. It is that freedom to choose that education provides for each of us.

Pictured on the screen is a building that is a sacred place to me and my wife, Marcia. We worked there when we were striving to complete our education. At the time we were married, I was beginning law school at the University of Utah and Marcia still had two years left to get her bachelor’s degree at BYU. We knew that in order to accomplish our education goals we would need to have a job that would allow us to support ourselves during the next three years. We obtained a job managing this building where we were janitors. Every day, Marcia and I would clean the bathrooms and the toilets in the common areas. We would mow the lawn and clean the parking garages. I went to law school during the day, and Marcia went to school at night. During our three years there, we had two children.

Each day we would vacuum all the floors of the condominium. In the last year of our education, I would put our oldest son, Brent, in a backpack and would start vacuuming on the 10th floor. Marcia would have our daughter, Emily, in her backpack, and she would begin on the first floor. We would meet on the fifth floor. Although those were difficult times, they are some of our most sacred memories. It is a time when we worked together to get our education and to become who the Lord wanted us to become. Upon our graduations, and both of us graduated the same year, our options for where we would live and where we would work and what we would do became unlimited. The truth — our education — had set us free. Our options to choose were unlimited because of our education.

My hope for you as students is that you will do as President Hinckley encouraged and seek as much education as possible. That you will remember President Nelson’s encouragement to a young man that 14 years was going to pass anyway, and he might as well be a heart surgeon. I would also hope that you will see that the sacrifices you make along the way will be a blessing, and at the end of that road is your freedom to choose.

In addition, as you persist in your studies, much of what you learn at BYU-Pathway will allow you to be free from unnecessary challenges. For example, learning about nutrition will help you remain healthy; learning interpersonal skills will help you minimize conflict with others; learning discipline will help you to master your time; learning math will help you budget your money so you can use it wisely.

It is my testimony to you that the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ will set you free, just as the Savior taught. I also testify to you that getting as much education as possible and improving your skills will set you free and give you opportunities to do things that you never thought you could do. Please move forward with faith. Please be diligent in your studies. Please prepare yourself for life, and you will find that the Lord will be there to bless you every step of the way.

May the Lord bless you and help you as you serve Him faithfully and as you continue to seek your education by study and by faith is my humble prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.