“Three Classrooms,” Friend, August 2017
From the First Presidency
Three Classrooms
By President Thomas S. Monson
Adapted from “Precious Children—A Gift from God,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 67–70.
Illustrations by Garth Bruner; globe and chalkboard © Getty
We have three classrooms of learning—the classroom at school, the classroom at church, and the classroom called home.
My elementary school music teacher was Miss Sharp. She helped her students love music and taught us to identify musical instruments and sounds. Miss Burkhaus taught geography. She rolled down the maps of the world and pointed out the capital cities of nations, the features of each country, as well as the language and culture. Little did I dream that one day I would visit these lands and peoples.
The classroom at church is also important. In this classroom, children can hear and feel their teacher’s testimony and learn to love the scriptures.
Perhaps the most significant of all classrooms is the classroom of the home. It is in the home that we form our attitudes and our beliefs. If all children had loving parents, safe homes, and caring friends, it would be a wonderful world.
I love little children and know that Heavenly Father loves them too.
Schools around the World
Heavenly Father is happy when we learn! Match each school scene with the sentence that describes it. Check your answers below.
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These students in Japan get ready to walk home wearing matching hats and backpacks.
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At a school in Brazil, children study in an outdoor classroom.
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These students in Uruguay sit in a circle and share the same teacher even though they’re different ages.
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These Vietnamese students write on their own chalkboards.
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These students in Kenya share benches and tables in a classroom with metal walls.
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These students in Australia use video chat to meet with their teachers.
What Is Your School Like?
Draw a picture of your school and send it to us! Turn to page 39 to find out how.