An education - whether it be a four-year process or part of Brigham Young University's Education Week - awakens understanding and opens a person's eyes to those things which matter most, said Elder Carlos E. Asay of the Presidency of the Seventy.

"Knowledge is transformed into wisdom, wisdom leads to understanding, understanding provides a fulness of life, and God grants to men according to their wills when all of the faculties of one's soul are awakened by light and truth," said Elder Asay. He delivered the devotional address Aug. 21, the first day of Education Week, which continued through Aug. 24.Speaking along the week's theme, "Education: Awakening Understanding," he said, "Each of you is expected to apply yourself to learning and to awake and shake off the chains of ignorance in one way or another.

"It is hoped that you will . . . attend classes that will not only stir your souls, but open your eyes to a panoramic view of the divine scheme of things and your standing before God."

Topics at the 64th annual Education Week ranged from religion, to personal development, to finance, to home repairs, and from interior design to parenting.

According to Ellen Allred, coordinator of the week's activities, "Education Week is more than just religion classes. It covers a broad base in an attempt to help people learn more about themselves and the world around them."

More than 1,100 classes were offered during the week, giving some 28,000 students 27 to 30 choices each hour. The conference drew more students than those enrolled in regular courses at BYU, said Mack Palmer, director of Education Week.

A high percentage of Education Week students return every year to revitalize their spirits and become motivated to improve in some aspect of life. Many families plan vacations around the week.

In one Monday class - arranged for those who couldn't attend the entire week - BYU professors Terrance D. Olson and C. Terry Warner spoke on "Discipline and Love: Gospel Ways to Rear a Family."

If parents are willing to become the Lord's disciples and be disciples themselves in every contact they have with their children, then they would be a greater influence for the good of their children, they said.

"Gospel principles are about the most practical thing available to produce quality family living, but the gospel is not a formula of techniques or strategies," Olson said. "It's a way of living from within - with honesty, integrity and love.

"It's one thing to say, `I love you' and live in a loving way in your children's behalf. I think it's possible for parents to live the way they believe. When they do, they make a difference in the lives of children. Even when parents are repenting, they are being an influence for good. It's an honorable, responsible thing to do and an act of love as a parent to repent of your wrongdoings. When you do that you will be blessed."

During Education Week, Stan Crippen, a high school teacher with a master's degree in marriage, family and child therapy, spoke of "Increasing Your Happiness by Improving Your Family Relationships."

During one session, he focused on measuring success and priorities and happiness, saying peace comes internally and not from external things.

He cited President Spencer W. Kimball, who, in his explanation of happiness, said, "First, you must live the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity and simplicity. Second, you must forget yourself and love your companion more than yourself. If you do these things happiness will be yours in great and never-failing abundance."

Sometimes people feel everything has to be done right now or they are not a success, but there is a time and season for everything, Crippen said.

"If we run so fast in life, then we end up burning out," he said. "The gospel doesn't teach us to do everything now. You crawl before you walk and you walk before you run. The gospel talks about becoming a success very slowly and making our greatest effort to become perfect."

In the world, he said, success might mean a person has flawless skin, white teeth, is rich, powerful, well-dressed, aggressive and self-sufficient. But the Lord's list includes someone who is like a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient and full of love.

"Many times the Lord will bless us, but in small ways, not in the world's ways," he said. "We need to realize where all the blessings come from and be humble after we prosper or we will be part of the continual circle of prosperity and become prideful."

Speaking on "Maintaining a Gospel Center," institute instructor Scott L. Anderson and his wife, Angelle, said challenges and struggles are part of a gospel-centered life.

"Do you think the pioneers ever sensed the importance of the things they were doing?" he asked. "Those wonderful pioneer brothers and sisters set up the kingdom so you could be born. Can you imagine people reading about what happened the past year? This is a day when we need to be gospel-centered."

But, he asked, where does a person find courage and commitment to stand up to challenges?

"I think of the many times I prayed for problems to go away, but before we came to earth we shouted for joy to have problems on earth. As we go through the struggle of realization that it's all part of the plan, we know we are going to have challenges and problems.

"Our goal is to learn to handle problems and what to do about problems when we face them," he said. "When it really gets tough, what we receive through the gospel is enough to give us strength to make it."

He encouraged students to pray for a stronger back and cheerful heart, as Nephi did, and the Lord will help them.

"He will give us courage to go on. That's His promise. If we draw close to Him, He will give us strength to be ready."

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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Education Week facts

- Started in 1922 as a leadership training meeting for Church leaders.

- Broadened its base and changed focus becoming known as Education Week in 1962.

- Between 1980 and 1989, 234,297 people attended Education Week.

- More than 28,000 attended the 1990 Education Week.

- Conference-goers represent almost every state in the union and come from as far as New Zealand, Australia, England and Germany.