young woman raising her hand in class

15.

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion

15.0

Introduction

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion (S&I) assists parents and Church leaders in helping youth and young adults deepen their conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.

An S&I representative is assigned to each stake to help leaders administer S&I programs.

15.1

Seminary

Seminary is a four-year program in which youth study the gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets. Seminary students are generally 14–18 years old.

Classes are held on weekdays when school is in session. The number of days the seminary class meets each week may be adapted to local conditions. (See Seminary Class Options for more information.)

The bishopric, youth leaders, and quorum and class presidencies encourage every youth to participate fully in seminary.

15.1.1

Teachers

Seminary teachers should be Church members who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a testimony of His restored gospel. They should live the principles they teach and work well with youth. When possible, teachers should have a current temple recommend.

A member of the stake presidency or an assigned high councilor calls, sets apart, and releases stake seminary teachers and stake supervisors.

To protect teachers and students, two adults should be present in the building or home where a seminary class is being taught.

15.1.2

Buildings, Equipment, and Materials

Stake and ward leaders ensure that locations such as meetinghouses or members’ homes are available for seminary classes.

The S&I representative provides materials for teachers and students for each class. Students should bring their own scriptures, printed or digital.

15.1.4

Credit and Graduation

Seminary students can learn more effectively and deepen their conversion if they regularly attend class, participate, and study the scriptures outside of class. As they do these things, they also earn seminary credit each year and can graduate from seminary.

To graduate from seminary, a student must earn four years of credit and receive an ecclesiastical endorsement from a bishopric member.

15.2

Institute

Institute provides weekday gospel study classes that strengthen faith and testimony in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Stake leaders ensure that institute is available for all young single adults ages 18–30.

All young single adults are encouraged to attend institute classes, whether they are attending school or not.

15.3

Church Schools and Church Educational System

For information on Church primary and secondary schools, BYU–Pathway Worldwide, and institutions of higher education, see CES.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Information about completing ecclesiastical endorsements for students to attend these schools is also provided there.

Additionally, information about employment ecclesiastical clearances through the CES Ecclesiastical Clearance Office can be found at help.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.