President Russell M. Nelson recently issued special, personal invitations to both youth and young adults throughout The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In two videos released globally — one to youth and the other to young adults — President Nelson promised this invitation would help them solve problems in their lives, make decisions and find answers to their questions. It will also help them feel a sense of belonging, increase their faith in Jesus Christ, and find guidance and direction from the Holy Ghost in their lives. 

His invitation? To regularly attend and participate in seminary and institute.

In both videos, the Prophet expresses his “deep love” for them and offers his assurance that participation in the Church’s two religious education programs — seminary, the four-year program for youth ages 14-18, and institute, for young adults 18-30 — can be life-changing.

To the youth, he said, “Seminary will help you to know your Savior Jesus Christ and deepen your conversion to Him and to His restored gospel. What else can happen? In seminary, you can begin to learn how to receive personal revelation — and what a difference that will make in your life. … Your desire to be an active part of the Lord’s youth battalion to gather Israel will increase. You will take responsibility for strengthening your own testimony, and your faith can become rock solid.”

In addressing the young adults, President Nelson promised that “attending institute will help you to live the gospel and to feel more joy right now. If you want to know the truth about who you really are, attend institute. If you want to know the purpose of life, attend institute. If you want to stay on the covenant path, attend institute. If you want to learn how to let God prevail in your life, attend institute. If you want to be a peacemaker, attend institute.”

Chad Webb, Seminary and Institute of Religion administrator, expressed his gratitude for President Nelson’s invitations. “Every day lives are being changed for good as students deepen their faith in Jesus Christ and study His gospel in our classes,” he said. 

Noting the list of “remarkable blessings” President Nelson shared in his invitations, Webb said, “We hope that everyone will take advantage of this amazing opportunity and receive the promised blessings.”

These videos are another expression of the Lord’s love for and confidence in the rising generation, said Lori Newbold, an institute instructor at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. “This video by President Nelson is just another example to me of how much Heavenly Father loves His young adults and how much He believes in them,” she said. “I obviously believe that the Lord will bless His children through the institute experience and love that the Lord gave even more promises through His chosen mouthpiece to young adults right now.”

President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, greet young adults after a devotional held in Las Vegas on Feb. 18, 2018.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

How to get involved in seminary and institute

Parents and youth leaders can help register youth for seminary classes and monitor their youths’ experiences in seminary by visiting mySeminary.ChurchofJesusChrist.org or by downloading the mySeminary app, available for iOS and Android.

Those interested in learning more about institute can also visit myInstitute.ChurchofJesusChrist.org or download the myInstitute app. MyInstitute allows individuals to find courses, locate institute buildings, enroll, learn about activities and events, and manage contact preferences.