The term “disciple-scholar” is often used to describe BYU students — but how do students understand this phrase?
In his BYU devotional address “Education for Eternity,” then Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve said BYU has “a double heritage — the preserving of the knowledge of men and the revealed truths sent from heaven.”
It is this balance of discipleship and academic excellence that sets BYU apart from other universities.
“It helps me remember that education is for something higher,” BYU student Lila Nimer said.
Many agreed that the concept of disciple-scholarship was a reminder that secularism and spirituality are not mutually exclusive.
“All truths will be circumscribed into one whole. So, it’s less like seeing the world through just your religious lens, but seeing the world through many different lenses,” BYU student Ethan Smith said. “There’s truth that you can find in all facets of life.”
BYU student Aurora Draper agreed with Smith’s sentiment.
“The more you study and learn about the gospel, and about science and nature, and intelligence as a whole, the disparity between the two becomes smaller and smaller,” Draper said.
This emphasis on balancing religion and academia encourages students and faculty to find Christ in all forms of study.
“Secular learning is really encompassed within the gospel of Jesus Christ, and so I love it. I love it a lot, actually,” Draper said.
BYU student Shana Goulding said she finds gospel applications in all that she learns.
“I think they go together,” Goulding said. “I think that God uses science in all his creations.”
For many members of the BYU community, the blending of faith and academic learning creates a better environment for learning.
“Starting classes with prayers and little devotionals, it really creates a different atmosphere, and I feel a more inclusive environment. That especially allows you to make mistakes more, and then you can focus more on growth,” Nimer said.
Draper greatly appreciates how easy it is to speak about religion at BYU.
“The professors and just people and students are not afraid to talk about it,” she said. “Not a lot of people talk about (religion). But here, it’s a place where you see it everywhere … So cool to just see it all around us all the time.”
The disciple-scholar emphasis also allows many students to feel that they are able to grow more holistically.
“Part of education is growing as a whole. And spirituality is definitely a big part of that,” Nimer said. “You’re not here to just learn facts. You’re here to become a different person, to become more caring.”
Ultimately, the label of disciple-scholar encourages all of BYU to strive for a higher standard of learning.
“I see myself as someone who’s trying,” Smith said.
