---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we can educate our desires in the…"
description: "\"“If we can educate our desires in the right way, we will become ‘what we want to become and what our Father in Heaven would want us to become. It begin..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/neil-l-andersen-10980_desires_if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-rig_1750869.jpg"
---

#  If we can educate our desires in the right way, we will…

![“If we can educate our desires in the right way, we will become ‘what we want to become and what our Father in Heaven would want us to become. It begins by careful contemplation of who we are and what we want in life.” quote by Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/neil-l-andersen-10980_desires_if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-rig_1750869.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/neil-l-andersen-10980_desires_if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-rig_1750869.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/neil-l-andersen-10980_desires_if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-rig_1750869.jpg)

> ““If we can educate our desires in the right way, we will become ‘what we want to become and what our Father in Heaven would want us to become. It begins by careful contemplation of who we are and what we want in life.””

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Educating desires through reflection aligns personal goals with divine purpose, requiring self‑knowledge and intentional living.

**In simple terms:** Align desires with purpose through self‑knowledge.

Key Takeaway

Reflect to shape your destiny.

Themes

spiritual growth self‑knowledge purpose reflection

Mood

contemplative hopeful

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- career planning
- spiritual practice
- relationship building
- life coaching

Key Concepts

theology personal development intentional living

Questions to Reflect On

- What core values guide your aspirations?
- How can you differentiate personal wants from imposed expectations?

A Different Perspective

May be difficult to discern true desires amid external pressures.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Contemplation Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplation-want-1603661/) [Desires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desires/) [Desires Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desires-right-1603660/) [Educate Desires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educate-desires-1603659/) [Father in heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father-in-heaven/) [Heaven Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-want-268659/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/)

## Related quotes

> [“I don't want a "holy" life of prayer and contemplation. I want a life of strife, lust, striving, seeking, struggling, and debauchery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-echols/i-don-t-want-a-holy-life-of-prayer-and-contemplation-i-want-a-life-of/)

[Damien Echols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-echols/)

> [The king, you say, desires to do what is right. My clergy are banished, my possessions are taken from me, the sword hangs over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-becket/the-king-you-say-desires-to-do-what-is-right-my-clergy-are-banished/)

[Thomas Becket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-becket/)

> [“Sometimes what we desire the most can change who we are, and it’s up to us to decide if that’s for better or worse.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dannika-dark/sometimes-what-we-desire-the-most-can-change-who-we-are-and-it-s-up/)

[Dannika Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dannika-dark/)

> [“The Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-lord-will-make-much-more-out-of-your-life-than-you-can-by/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [There will be no people in heaven who want to be around their things more than Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/there-will-be-no-people-in-heaven-who-want-to-be-around-their-things/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“I want my heart to be the thin place. I don't want to board a plane to feel the kiss of heaven. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-white/i-want-my-heart-to-be-the-thin-place-i-don-t-want-to-board-a-plane-to/)

[Anna White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-white/)

> [“When I die I hope to go to heaven--whatever that is--and I want to be able to afford the price of admission.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/when-i-die-i-hope-to-go-to-heaven-whatever-that-is-and-i-want-to-be/)

[Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/)

> [“I made the decision. I want you more than I want heaven, more than I want to be an angel. I love you more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-sheppard/i-made-the-decision-i-want-you-more-than-i-want-heaven-more-than-i/)

[J.L. Sheppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-l-sheppard/)

> [After 'Made in Heaven,' I want to continue being associated with a certain quality of work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-mathur/after-made-in-heaven-i-want-to-continue-being-associated-with-a/)

[Arjun Mathur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-mathur/)

> [God is in heaven, and we all want what's his. But power and greed and corruptible seed seem to be all that there is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/god-is-in-heaven-and-we-all-want-what-s-his-but-power-and-greed-and/)

[Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/)

> [I do not want to go to heaven; I want my children, forever children, and other children, stalwart adults, and a good happy wife,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/i-do-not-want-to-go-to-heaven-i-want-my-children-forever-children-and/)

[Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/)

> [I don't believe in Heaven or anything. But I want to be the kind of person that qualifies for entry anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-don-t-believe-in-heaven-or-anything-but-i-want-to-be-the-kind-of/)

[Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/)

> [I want to reconcile myself with heaven, I want to love, I want to pray, I want to believe in good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-lermontov/i-want-to-reconcile-myself-with-heaven-i-want-to-love-i-want-to-pray/)

[Mikhail Lermontov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-lermontov/)

> [If I go to heaven I want to take my reason with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-i-go-to-heaven-i-want-to-take-my-reason-with-me/)

[Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/)

> [I do not want a kingdom, or heaven; what I want is to remove the trouble of the oppressed, the poor, and the needy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-a-kingdom-or-heaven-what-i-want-is-to-remove-the/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

## More by Neil L. Andersen

> [These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/these-fiery-trials-are-designed-to-make-you-stronger-but-they-have/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [No trial is so large we can't overcome it together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/no-trial-is-so-large-we-can-t-overcome-it-together/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-invitation-to-repent-is-rarely-a-voice-of-chastisement-but-rather/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [We do not discard something we know to be true because of something we do not yet understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/we-do-not-discard-something-we-know-to-be-true-because-of-something/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [“Honesty, integrity, and truth are eternal principles that significantly shape our experience in mortality and help determine our eternal destiny.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/honesty-integrity-and-truth-are-eternal-principles-that-significantly/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [Repentance is powerful spiritual medicine. There are few spiritual ills it will not cure. Each sin we leave behind through our faith in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/repentance-is-powerful-spiritual-medicine-there-are-few-spiritual/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [In the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no place for ridicule, bullying, or bigotry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/in-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ-there-is-no-place-for-ridicule-bullying/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [“Jesus’s call “Come, follow me” is not only for those prepared to compete in a spiritual Olympics. In fact, discipleship is not a competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/jesus-s-call-come-follow-me-is-not-only-for-those-prepared-to-compete/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/motherhood-is-not-a-hobby-it-is-a-calling-you-do-not-collect-children/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [The wisdom of the world, while in many cases very valuable, is most valuable when it humbly bows to the wisdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/the-wisdom-of-the-world-while-in-many-cases-very-valuable-is-most/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/we-hold-in-our-arms-the-rising-generation-they-come-to-this-earth/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [We each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/we-each-have-moments-of-spiritual-power-moments-of-inspiration-and/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [Can you see the hand of God in your own life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/can-you-see-the-hand-of-god-in-your-own-life/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/faith-in-jesus-christ-is-a-gift-from-heaven-that-comes-as-we-choose/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

> [We are all in this together. With fellow ward members and missionaries, we plan and pray and help one another. Please keep the full-time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/we-are-all-in-this-together-with-fellow-ward-members-and-missionaries/)

[Neil L. Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

[Explore all 62 Neil L. Andersen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/)

## More Desires quotes

> [Needs cause motivation. Deep-rooted desires for esteem, affection, belonging, achievement, self-actualization, power, and control motivate us to push for what we want and need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/needs-cause-motivation-deep-rooted-desires-for-esteem-affection/)

[Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/)

> [A lot of times, my work is looked at very much on the surface. It's very easy to just want to put something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/a-lot-of-times-my-work-is-looked-at-very-much-on-the-surface-it-s/)

[Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/)

> [“The best way to achieve a wonderful life is to have wonderful desires.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/the-best-way-to-achieve-a-wonderful-life-is-to-have-wonderful-desires/)

[Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/)

> [“My third maxim was to endeavour always to conquer myself rather than fortune, and change my desires rather than the order of the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/my-third-maxim-was-to-endeavour-always-to-conquer-myself-rather-than/)

[René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/)

> [Our desires have a way of getting bigger with our incomes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivy-compton-burnett/our-desires-have-a-way-of-getting-bigger-with-our-incomes/)

[Ivy Compton-Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivy-compton-burnett/)

> [“The Heart Desires to Be Free”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-belmer/the-heart-desires-to-be-free/)

[Cynthia Belmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-belmer/)

> [“Desires and wishes don’t lead to success. Plans and efforts do. Create a vision, chalk out an action plan, put in your best efforts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roopleen/desires-and-wishes-don-t-lead-to-success-plans-and-efforts-do-create/)

[Roopleen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roopleen/)

> [“We could not be fulfilled if we weren't inauthentic some of the time—inauthentic, that is, in relation to such things as our passing desires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/we-could-not-be-fulfilled-if-we-weren-t-inauthentic-some-of-the-time/)

[Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/)

> [My intentions go one way, my desires another. Thus I feel both self-indulgent and deprived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/my-intentions-go-one-way-my-desires-another-thus-i-feel-both-self/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [The best kind of wealth is to give up inordinate desires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/the-best-kind-of-wealth-is-to-give-up-inordinate-desires/)

[Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/)

> [“I never get writer's block. My secret...I have purring cats in surround sound while I write...best white noise on the planet." R.Rose when asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-rose/i-never-get-writer-s-block-my-secret-i-have-purring-cats-in-surround/)

[R. Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-rose/)

> [“The desires of the flesh leads to sin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-desires-of-the-flesh-leads-to-sin/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [It is a happy circumstance that when nature gives us true burning desires, she also gives us the means to satisfy them. Those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-seykota/it-is-a-happy-circumstance-that-when-nature-gives-us-true-burning/)

[Ed Seykota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-seykota/)

> [“You can become even a co-creator of this universe... an assurance coming from the Ancient Wisdom; provided you bear an appropriate WILL...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-kumar/you-can-become-even-a-co-creator-of-this-universe-an-assurance-coming/)

[Dinesh Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-kumar/)

> [“I want to have a lasting experience of God', I told him. 'Sometimes I feel like I understand the divinity of this world, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/i-want-to-have-a-lasting-experience-of-god-i-told-him-sometimes-i/)

[Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/)

[Browse all 1,202 Desires quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desires/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“If we can educate our desires in the right way, we will become ‘what we want to become and what our Father in Heaven would want us to become. It begins by careful contemplation of who we are and what we want in life.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Neil L. Andersen"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-right-way-we-will-become-what-we/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Desires"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-right-way-we-will-become-what-we/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/neil-l-andersen-10980_desires_if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-rig_1750869.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/neil-l-andersen-10980_desires_if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-rig_1750869.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/343/neil-l-andersen-10980_desires_if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-rig_1750869.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If we can educate our desires in the right way, we will become ‘what we want to become and what our Father…” — Neil L. Andersen",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Neil L. Andersen",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-l-andersen/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“If we can educate our desires...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-right-way-we-will-become-what-we/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-l-andersen/if-we-can-educate-our-desires-in-the-right-way-we-will-become-what-we/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
