Youth graduate from seminary program

While many high school seniors celebrated their high school graduation this last month, 19 local seniors were able to celebrate a second graduation June 4 in honor of completing the Orlando West Stake Seminary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For the last four years, these students have awakened early, before school, to study the scriptures and attend seminary classes together.  They were joined by more than 100 other high school students from 11 local congregations that participate in the program. 

They met together in homes, church buildings and over Zoom to study the life of Jesus Christ and the scriptures. They were taught by local volunteers who teach each morning in addition to their regular work schedule and family responsibilities. To qualify for seminary graduation, a student must attend eight semesters of study.   

It is a sacrifice for these dedicated students to wake up each morning before school to study the scriptures together, but well worth it, Hansen said.

Graduating student Katie Whitney said: “My seminary experiences this semester has taught me to truly love God. I didn’t use to look forward to seminary, but now it’s somewhere I genuinely want to be, helping me prioritize the Lord every day.”

“We are so thankful for the dedicated efforts of our seminary students and their instructors, who very often sacrifice their early-morning hours to study the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said President Gary Hansen, who oversees the 13 local congregations that are part of the Orlando West Stake. “Their commitment to follow Him in their daily lives is heartwarming and wonderful to witness.”

Seminary is a worldwide, religious educational program for youth ages 14 through 18 and is open to teenagers of all faiths.  The four-year program is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

For more information about the seminary program, visit churchofjesuschrist.org.