BYU–Pathway Worldwide devotional: ‘Think celestial’ about education

In his general conference address last October, President Russell M. Nelson encouraged the worldwide Church to “think celestial.”

During a devotional broadcast on Tuesday, Jan. 16, BYU–Pathway Worldwide President Brian K. Ashton and his wife, Sister Melinda Ashton, reiterated the Prophet’s invitation and encouraged students to use it to education.

“With respect to education, when we predict celestial, we decide to all the time be learning, and we get as much education as we will,” President Ashton said.

Sister Ashton began their joint address on Tuesday by explaining that those that think celestial put Jesus Christ first of their lives. “We also take an everlasting perspective, which implies that we do not forget that our decisions on earth determine where we might be and whom we might be with after this life. … Fortunately, as President Nelson noted, the things that allow us to be glad after this life are the same things that may make us glad here on earth.”

Those who “think celestial” also focus their thoughts on Jesus Christ, President Ashton added. “We take into consideration what the Savior would do if He were in our position after which strive to act as He would act. We trust Jesus more. We remember His perfect example and suffering for us. We take the sacrament more reverently and more intentionally.”

Individuals who “think celestial” pay tithing, obey the law of chastity and strive to repent day by day, President and Sister Ashton said. 

In regard to pondering celestial about education, President Ashton said too many BYU–Pathway students stop their education early. Many get a greater job after completing Pathway Connect or earning a certificate but don’t proceed to complete a level.

President Ashton shared the Lord’s command to “seek ye out of one of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and in addition by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118) and President Nelson’s teaching that “within the Church, obtaining an education and getting knowledge are a non secular responsibility. We educate our minds in order that sooner or later we will render service of price to any individual else” (“Focus on Values,” New Era, February 2013).

Sister Ashton added, “Our dear students, the world is changing rapidly. If you wish a profession that may last, get your degree and proceed to learn.” She quoted Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who encouraged individuals to coach their minds and hands and to “benefit from every educational opportunity.”

Quoting Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19, Sister Ashton identified that those that gain intelligence and knowledge on this life can have “a lot the advantage on the earth to come back.”

With seven-week classes and the brand new three-year and 90-credit degree facilitated through BYU–Pathway starting in April, “should you take two classes per term, you’ll be able to finish your degree in three years,” Sister Ashton noted. “If you are taking one class per term, you’ll be able to finish in lower than five years. What’s more, the three-year degree has cut the entire cost of the degree by 25%.”

In closing, President Ashton spoke of a BYU–Pathway student named Dumazedier Kabasele from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After his mission, Kabasele earned a medical degree in his country. He then pursued a post-graduate degree in India before learning about BYU–Pathway Worldwide. 

Kabasele became certainly one of the primary students to enroll in BYU-Pathway in DR Congo. Kabasele earned an associate degree and can soon complete his bachelor’s degree from BYU–Idaho. Having earned a certificate in public health, he was hired by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and helps oversee the response to highly contagious diseases in his country, including Ebola, COVID-19 and Mpox. 

“Dumazedier is a pacesetter in his country, but none of this might have happened if he had decided to chop short his education,” President Ashton said. “The more education you will have, the more you can also make a difference in your family, the Church, your community and your nation.”