sacred regard for human intellect

I've been working slowly to learn to speak Spanish. Using lots of resources, I seem to be moving forward although at a snails' pace. The point is that I AM moving forward. I'm learning.

My friend, Marlena, went to the Dominican Republic on her mission. A short time after her mission, she returned and married a native Dominican. They've lived both in the DR and US over the years with their children. Consequently she speaks Spanish fluently. Her latest advice to me was to read the Book of Mormon out loud everyday in Spanish, which I do. I listen to an audio recording of a native speaker daily as well plus the books recommended on LDS Mommy University.

Why do I keep this up? I don't want to be monolingual all my life. Even if it takes all my life to reach this goal, I am determined to do it. But I'll not stop there, I'm adding Mandarin, too. I've done some Latin and German as well. But my efforts are miniscule. I've only learned enough to knwo that I know nothing.

Maybe this is silly, when I spend so much of my time in bed sleeping. I don't intend to stay like this. But if I do, my studies are sort of diverting. On days when I can concentrate to read, I study other things as well. I just love to learn.

"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." Doctrine & Covenants 130:18-19

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels" Proverbs 1:5

"Because of our sacred regard for each human intellect, we consider the obtaining of an education to be a religious responsibility. Yet opportunities and abilities differ. I believe that in the pursuit of education, individual desire is more influential than institution, and personal faith more forceful than faculty. Our Creator expects His children everywhere to educate themselves. He issued a commandment: “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118.) And He assures us that knowledge acquired here will be ours forever. (See D&C 130:18–19.)" Russell M. Nelson, “Where Is Wisdom?,” Ensign, Nov 1992, 6