SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) -The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints celebrated the 100th anniversary of its Seminary program Sunday evening with a program attended by thousands.
Members of the church are eligible to start the religious training in 9th grade and continue through 12th grade. The Seminary program started out with just seventy students and has now expanded to 370-thousand worldwide.
Thousands of students, parents, and leaders filled the LDS conference center on Temple Square for a celebration 100 years in the making. LDS seminary instruction began back in 1912. Elder Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to teens about the importance of what they are learning in the church education system.
"It is never too late. You have been taught atonement by your parents and in seminary, about the atonement of Jesus Christ. The atonement is like and eraser you can wipe away guilt.
Seminary is the study of religious scripture, and LDS church history. It is taught to high school students either during release time at their public schools, in the early morning, or in after school classes. But President Packer's talk focused on staying strong at all times in life. "The important question may be, when you are alone are you in good company? If you are doing something that you know is wrong stop it. Stop it right now."
President Packer also told the Seminary students to go forward with hope and faith. "Some of you struggling to find what you will do. It doesn't really matter what you choose to do for a living what matters is what you will be."
Those who attended say wherever their future takes them they won't forget this moment in history. Camille Green says just being at the celebration is something to be thankful for. "I am just so grateful that I can actually be here because I know that so many people would like to be here."
Sunday’s celebration was broadcast to LDS Stake Centers worldwide.
