Education should remain under the direction and guidance of parents
Academics should be integrated with LDS doctrine and Principle
Liahona was founded in 1998 with two bedrock philosophies. The first is that educational institutions should exist to assist parents in educating their children. We believe parental involvement is an important foundation to a child’s educational success. Who else has such a vested interest in the ultimate welfare of their child? No one knows better than a parent what strengths, talents and weaknesses a child has or how to create learning opportunities and environments which are uniquely best for that child. In recognition of this, Liahona’s program provides an academic framework designed to work in accordance with parents.
Our second philosophy exemplifies John Taylor’s advice to:
Get the best of teachers, men and women of intelligence and education who are not only moral, but good Latter-day Saints; men and women who are not only capable of imparting to our children the rudiments of education, but who are also capable of teaching them the laws of God as he has revealed them for our guidance. (JD 21, Aug. 8, 1880)
Liahona’s classes are designed to combine temporal knowledge in the context of the eternal. For many teenage students, revealed knowledge, LDS truths, values and principles are often relegated to “church or seminary” with little understanding of how they apply to academic subjects and thought. Our goal and desire is to combine academics and revealed knowledge into one whole, equipping students to fulfill their heritage and mission.
The Need for Change!
We hear numerous stories of students’ struggles in the public school system. There are many wonderful public school teachers and administrators, but they are strapped to a system which anecdotally and statistically is struggling. Worried parents end up feeling patronized and ignored. There is growing evidence that the public school system is producing students who are morally confused, emotionally alienated, lack understanding of our constitutional republic, and schooled in the current “socially correct” fad of the day.
In many places it is literally not safe physically for youngsters to go to school. And in many schools - and it’s becoming almost generally true - it is spiritually unsafe to attend public schools. (Boyd K. Packer, Oct 9,’96, Symposium, BYU)
Federally mandated reforms such as: Goals 2000, America 2000, and No Child Left Behind, have a yearly national budget in the billions, yet American student scores in core academic subjects are dismal according to The National Center of Education Statistics and other agencies.
“My people are destroyed,” said Hosea, “for lack of knowledge....” (Hos.4.6)
For Latter-day Saints, who value education and recognize both earthly and eternal consequences, this state of affairs is particularly distressing. Now you have options! Liahona offers a new direction for your student’s education.
Why Liahona?
Your reasons are probably as individual as your children but here are a few of the reasons parent’s choose Liahona:
1. Your student will receive a better education
The Southern Regional Education Board surveyed 826 campuses in 15 states and discovered that 1/3 of all freshman need remedial training in reading, writing, or math and are not ready to begin regular college courses. (Washington Times, Aug. 7,1991)
Liahona students consistently score better on nationally recognized tests than other students and are succeeding in major academic areas. Our teachers are engaging and interesting. Our small student-body guarantees a student won’t get lost in the crowd. Since classes are filmed, DVDs of each week’s classes are available to student’s for re-enforcement of subjects.
2. Religious reasons.
86.5% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. Yet, roughly 90 % of American children attend a government school where religious beliefs are constantly undermined. (City University of N.Y. poll ‘90)
LDS beliefs are strengthened and supported as they become relevant to academic subjects. It is evident, then, that true religious training must include instruction in relation to God and to his laws and government and also in relation to man's duty to man. Such teaching is given effectively not necessarily in a formal theology class, but in literature, art, geology, biology, and other classes...Thus all facts may be viewed by the students not through the green glass of prejudice or doubt, but in the clear sunlight of truth. ‑‑David O. McKay, BYU Address, 1937)
Learning is enhanced when the spirit is invited into the classroom ...we should have schools wherein the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants can be used as textbooks, and where the principles of our religion may form a part of the teachings of the schools. (David O. McKay, BYU Address, 1937)
3. Better learning environment
Liahona students abide by a behavior code which stresses adherence to LDS standards, as well as kindness and respect for students and faculty. The dress code encourages students to exercise a wholesome influence upon those around them.
Outward appearance is often a reflection of inward tendencies. (Harold B. Lee)
During these crucial years, teenagers are testing limits, developing their view of the world and setting personal values.
My young brother and sisters, you live in a world which, as prophesied, is often confusing and perplexing. By combining true education and true religion, you will be able to distinguish between what is merely today's trends and the eternal truths, and between celestial sense and secular nonsense....Those individuals who are illuminated, spiritually and educationally, will help to show the way in a world darkened by despair....God bless you in these days, which are your days in the history of the kingdom of God. (Neal A. Maxwell, Seek Learning by Study and Also by Faith videocassette)
A good education is more important than ever! Liahona is accredited through the Northwest Accreditation Commission and helps prepare your student for college, but more importantly we support parents as they strive to raise children prepared for the challenges of today!