"Education is the discipline of mind and spirit. It requires dedication and focus," Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the First Quorum of Seventy told LDS Business College students during a recent weekly devotional.

He relied on his own numerous years as a student obtaining several degrees as he outlined four principles he personally learned about obtaining both a secular and spiritual education: Each person is a unique being, understanding must be coupled with wisdom, goal-setting is critical to success, and service must be a motivator for educational success.

No one comes into life with a blank mind, but rather with forgotten experiences, talents and purposes that can and should be enhanced and fortified through the pursuit of education, Elder Neuenschwander taught.

He cautioned his young audience against the pitfall of feeling pressured to be like everyone else. "When we envy another's gifts, we miss the beauty of our own gifts. We miss the beauty and strength and power Heavenly Father has put into us," he said, adding that developing personal gifts takes courage and willingness to try, willingness to occasionally fail, and introspection.

Those who succeed make lasting contributions to the world. "I hope if you have poetry inside of you, you will bring it out. Music, or a desire to write, a desire to create, a desire to be the best legal secretary -- it is that gift you bring to the world. The moment you can use it, the better off we all are," he said, adding: "Each of us has a work to do in this life. Each of us has something to do that no one else can do. When we discipline ourselves to accomplish it, then our lives are in concert with what the Lord would have us do."

The pursuit of an education requires a parallel development of wisdom, Elder Neuenschwander taught. "Education of the mind is more than an accumulation of knowledge, facts, figures, even mastery of a specific discipline. The consummate attainment of education is wisdom," he said. He quoted Proverbs 4:5-7: "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Elder Neuenschwander taught the story of Solomon, who, when asked what he wanted from God, replied "wisdom." From 2 Chronicles 1:7 he read, "In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee...."

In verses 10-12, Solomon replied, "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people.... And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee."

"I don't believe Solomon was granted these gifts without work on his part," Elder Neuenschwander said. He asked for wisdom and knowledge, but the acquisition is not achieved in two or four or even twelve years.

"The two years you spend at LDS Business College place in your hands only the foundation of a specific discipline. Understanding and application will take you a lifetime," he said, adding a favorite Russian proverb: "We will live and learn our whole lifetimes and still die a fool."

Education of the mind is also a product of commitment, effort and personal discipline, Elder Neuenschwander said. To emphasize the need for commitment above and beyond normal pursuits, he quoted Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: "Heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight, but while their companions slept, they were toiling upward in the night."

"This kind of effort has little to do with grades and everything to do with true education.... Such goals in our lives and education bring purpose and life to our effort and discipline," Elder Neuenschwander said.

He urged students to make goal setting and tracking an integral part of their educational effort with a three-step plan: Set goals, write them down and create a plan to accomplish them.

"Your ability to achieve is tightly connected with your commitment to write down your goals, put them where you can see them, and have a plan to achieve them," he said.

He shared a personal story of when he kept postponing the writing of a dissertation. His department chairman finally committed him to complete it by the end of the year, then offered a way to do so.

He instructed Elder Neuenschwander to write down twelve monthly goals, then write down four goals for each of those months, dividing it into weeks. Then write seven goals for each of those weeks, dividing it into days. "He told me if I achieved my goal set for the day, I'd achieve my goals set for the year," Elder Neuenschwander said.

Finally, Elder Neuenschwander taught that service is a necessary component to gaining an education. "There must be more to your education than selfish motives. It must include service to your fellowmen, and must bring something to the world," he said.

Elder Neuenschwander encouraged students to balance their secular and spiritual educational pursuits. Knowledge of spiritual truths can be approached by study, but study alone will not and cannot bring full comprehension of spiritual matters.

"Some truth must be revealed to be known," he said. He referred to difficult events in his own life that prompted gratitude for his knowledge of the plan of salvation and the power of the priesthood. His faith brought solace, comfort, and understanding. "If we desire understanding of spiritual things, we must employ our faith in the Lord's purposes and design for us.... Life is to learn from, not just to endure."

Elder Neuenschwander encouraged students to always stand for right. It's a decision to accept a standard of living a life of integrity, honesty and commitment, he said, adding, "That effort is every bit as much a part of a spiritual education as a secular education."

He also taught, "The Lord's education program for each of us is a lifelong process. It never ends. It's a difficult process, one that requires your best effort. I pray you will be successful, and enjoy the journey. Take advantage of this period of time in your life. Enjoy it. Don't run from it. Use it for the betterment of yourselves, and the betterment of the world."