A Latter-day Saint Home Education: Passing On a Goodly Heritage
Education is examined within the context of religious beliefs and values found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Education is defined as the process of becoming like God. An investigation is conducted into the stewardship and responsibility parents have for the education of their children. This responsibility is determined to be a sacred stewardship that cannot simply be delegated to others in society. All education is shown to be religious in nature. Conflicts between the beliefs and values of different members of society are found to be at the heart of many of the difficulties in education. The secularization of Western civilization and education is described. The history of public schooling in America is examined, and the current status of the public school system is analyzed. On the basis of this analysis, parents are urged to be more vigilant in attending to the responsibilities of educating their children. Several suggestions are made for how parents can become more responsible for the education of their children, and one of these options, home schooling, is explored in some depth. Two Latter-day Saint home-schooling families are examined using qualitative research methods. Their philosophy of education is considered at length and described in detail. The methods they employ in the education of their children are investigated and described. A detailed account of a week in the life of each family is also included. The study closes with an examination of what it means for parents to pass a goodly heritage on to their children. Passing on a rich heritage is found to consist in seeking the Spirit of the Lord, following the counsel of Church leaders, and keeping the commandments of God.
LDS education, education, home schooling, homeschooling, parenting, heritage, secularization, faith & intellect, sacred & secular, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
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