As the new school year begins, high school students in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other interested students have a unique opportunity to regularly study the scriptures in addition to their secular classes.
Seminary is a four-year religious educational program available to students ages 14-18 around the world. Classes are generally held every weekday, and instruction focuses on a different volume of scripture every year.
Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued a personal invitation to youth to attend seminary.
“As you attend seminary, you will feel God’s love; find answers in your life; deepen your testimony of Jesus Christ; build emotional and spiritual strength; prepare for the temple, missions, education, and a future family; and gain courage to stand for truth,” President Oaks said.
For many students in Southern Nevada, seminary offers an opportunity to strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ.
“Seminary helps me with my life and in school because it helps me start my day with the gospel and feeling the Savior’s love for me,” said high school student Tate Bunker. “It helps me be more Christlike during the school day when it may be hard sometimes. When school days are hard, having seminary also helps me reflect on what I have learned to keep me going through the day.”
Jane, who will be a junior this year said, “Seminary has helped me throughout my high school years to grow closer to my Savior and feel His love for me.” Ryan, a high school senior, said that seminary is a way to always think about Jesus in the morning.
“I attend seminary to get a good start on my school day and to fill my mind with gospel to show and share to friends and people at school what I have been taught,” said Taisley Householder, age 14. “It is important for me to be educated in seminary in the morning because now I can feel the Spirit early in the day to prepare for future challenges the day may challenge me. Seminary has shown me how important it is to turn to Jesus Christ everyday for peace and help.”
When asked what they liked about seminary, seminary student Harrison Williams said, “I look forward to starting the day with the Spirit.” Seminary student Noelle Drohn said, “It’s like a daily dose of Jesus.”
Many students begin their day with seminary, electing to take their religious classes before their usual high school classes begin. June W. said, “It is my first year of Seminary, and I am ready to learn more about Christ and our Gospel. Even though it is very, very early in the morning I am excited to hear about others’ perspective of Christ and the new friends I will meet!” Drake B. said, “Seminary helps me start my day out by putting the Savior first and helps me wake up to be able to be more awake at school.” Arbor View student Miguel Arce added, “I love seminary. It gives me good, positive energy for school.”
“Getting up early for seminary is completely worth the sacrifice. It doesn’t matter how early it is. It’s what’s right. Seminary really does make a difference in keeping you strong in your testimony,” said Coronado High School student Dean Gubler. “Attending seminary helps me start my day off really right.”
“I attend seminary so I can go into the school day and week feeling the Spirit,” said 16-year-old Olivia Erickson. “It’s important for my education because it teaches me more about the gospel and the scriptures which will help me throughout my life. I feel that seminary brings us closer to Christ because we are learning more about Him and His scriptures every day.”
For more information about the Seminary program, please visit: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/topic/seminary
To watch President Oaks’ invitation, please visit: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/mormon-messages-for-youth/2026-02-president-oaks-institute-invitation-video?lang=eng
