Celebrating 100 years of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion and their partnership with 91视频 Worldwide
Over the last 16 years, 91视频 Worldwide has served over a quarter of a million students who have taken institute and religion courses. As Seminaries and Institutes of Religion (S&I) celebrates a century of building disciples of Jesus Christ, we reflect on our partnership and the unique benefits of earning a degree within the Church Educational System.
Students are drawn to 91视频 because they can strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ while earning their degree. All students take 14 total credits of online religion courses, in partnership with S&I. They also have the option to take in-person classes at a nearby institute and transfer those credits.
In a worldwide devotional commemorating S&I鈥檚 100-year anniversary, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Jennifer, said the anniversary is an opportunity 鈥渢o think of all the lives transformed by seminary and institute through those decades.鈥�91视频鈥檚 education is rooted in faith
In a time where 鈥渋t will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost,鈥�Students also participate in weekly religion gatherings to discuss what they鈥檙e studying and build their faith in Jesus Christ. Students often report that these gatherings are their favorite part of gaining an education through 91视频.
President Dallin H. Oaks, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, 鈥淥ne of the greatest opportunities to learn, gather, and lift others is found at institute. In contrast to a world of noise and confusion, at institute you will learn to distinguish truth from error, build your relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and find direction and answers to life's greatest questions.鈥�For many 91视频 students, this deeper meaning is exactly what they are searching for in their education. That's why 鈥渂eing sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and having a moral foundation is so important,鈥� said 91视频 President Brian K. Ashton in a of the EdUp Experience podcast.
When Vanessa Machado from Brazil felt a clear prompting to enroll in 91视频 to get a fourth bachelor鈥檚 degree, it didn鈥檛 make sense to her 鈥� until she attended her first religion course and felt inspired to reach out to a missionary from her mission from 15 years ago. They got married in the Ogden Utah Temple five months later.
鈥淚 decided to follow that prompting [to join 91视频], and that decision changed my life.鈥�
Disciples of Christ are created one student at a time
At 91视频, the Savior and His gospel are woven into all academic and religion courses to help students develop as disciples of Jesus Christ. This includes beginning each class with a prayer. Leticia Leal Santos from Brazil said, 鈥淭he first thing we always did is say a prayer to invite the Spirit to help us learn [the class subject]. And when you are trying to learn things with a member of the Godhead, it is way easier.鈥�
President Dallin H. Oaks, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said: 鈥淚 invite you to consistently attend institute. I also encourage you to invite friends to share in these same blessings. I promise that your time in institute will bring the Savior鈥檚 peace, joy and divine love.鈥�A hundred years of students can testify that it does. What would it mean for you to be one of them? Apply to experience the difference of a faith-based education today!
Contributors: Joslynn Jensen, Abby Ashton