SEMINARY GRADUATION by Mary Jane Poulter

Link to article in the Village News: http://www.thevillagenews.com/story/48881/

Early Morning Gospel Instruction called Seminary

“What kind of teenager would get up every morning at 5:00 am to attend a class on religious instruction these days? I’ll tell you what kind, a member of the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), a Mormon, that’s who.”

Youths who are in grades 9-12, ages 14-18 are offered a 4 year course study that covers a different book of scripture each year including The Old Testament, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon and The Doctrine & Covenants. The seminary classes themselves are about 50 minutes long and it is quite common to find most of the instruction located in the LDS church building closest to the local High School.

LDS Seminary, which began in the church in 1912, is a place for extended spiritual education beyond the Sunday school instruction offered by most Christian churches. Teens study the doctrines of the church in the same way they would English or Algebra, in a daily classroom setting. This results in an educated, motivated core of young believers who have helped to make Mormonism one of the world's fastest-growing faiths today.

The importance of Seminary: (1) Providing a spiritual foundation (2) Putting youths together who share the same values (3) Getting youths to read and study the scriptures (4) Being taught by a teacher who has a testimony and is both worthy and well trained.

“This seminary program will bless them throughout their lives" stated L. Tom Perry.

LDS Seminary Photo Caption: (courtesy photo)
Congratulations Seminary Graduates!

(left to rt.) Brother Todd Frame, teacher (F1); Natalie Frame (F1); Brett Turley (F1); Dane Mckissick; Troy Monson; Daniel Arnold; Chris Beck (F2); Geoffrey Jameson; Tressa Barrett; Erin Meeks; Aubree Neilson; Michael Nichols and Adam Holzer (not pictured: Matthew Nichols and Brother Red Barrett, Seminary Principal)