Our Objective

The Objective of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion 

Our purpose is to help youth and young adults deepen their conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven. 

To achieve our purpose: 

LIVE We live the gospel of Jesus Christ and strive for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Our conduct and relationships are exemplary in the home, in the classroom, and in the community. We continually seek to improve our performance, knowledge, attitude, and character. We listen carefully to God’s living prophets and follow their inspired teachings and direction.  

TEACH We center each learning experience on Jesus Christ and His example, attributes, and redeeming power. We help students learn the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the scriptures and words of the prophets. We help students fulfill their role in learning for themselves. We strive to invite the Holy Ghost to fulfill His role in each learning experience.  

LEAD We pattern our leadership after the example of Jesus Christ. We invite and encourage all youth and young adults to participate in seminary and institute. We seek to strengthen those we lead, effectively administer the work, and build unity with others. Our efforts assist and support individuals, families, and priesthood leaders.  

Teaching Correct Doctrine 

Principles for Ensuring Doctrinal Purity 

Leaning Experiences should communicate the Lord’s established doctrine in purity and in a way that invites the converting power of the Holy Ghost. All learning experiences should focus on Jesus Christ and carefully convey doctrinal purity (see Elder Neil L. Andersen, ‘The Power of Jesus Christ and Pure Doctrine’, June 2023). The following was adapted from a document approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: 

1. Centred on Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Their Fundamental Doctrine  

Learning experiences should be centred on Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Their fundamental doctrine to help individuals increase faith in Them, become converted to Them, and receive the blessings of eternal life (see 1 Nephi 15:14).  

2. Scriptural and Prophetic Authority Learning experiences should be grounded in the scriptures and teachings of latter-day prophets, which are the Lord’s authorised sources of doctrine (see Doctrine and Covenants 28:2–3, 8).  

3. Multiple Witnesses  

Class instruction should communicate only those doctrinal teachings which the Lord has established through multiple authoritative witnesses (see 2 Nephi 11:3).  

4. Avoid Speculation  

Class instruction should not go beyond what God has established and should avoid introducing error through speculation, personal opinions, or worldly ideas (see 3 Nephi 11:32, 40).  

5. Spiritual Edification  

Learning experiences should be in harmony with the influence of the Holy Ghost in content and tone to help individuals experience spiritual  

 edification (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:21–23).

6. Doctrinal Balance  

Learning experiences should give appropriate focus or weight to a point of doctrine within the context of related gospel truths to avoid distortion and help cultivate a balanced understanding (see Matthew 23:23).  

7. Clarity  

Learning experiences should communicate truth with clarity to increase understanding and avoid potential misunderstandings (see Alma 13:23).  

8. Accuracy  

Class instruction should communicate only accurate and reliable information to inform and strengthen God’s children and to protect the integrity of the Lord’s Church (see Doctrine and Covenants  

93:24).  

9. Non–Distraction  

Learning experiences should avoid elements that could distract from the gospel truths they are intended to communicate (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).  

* Adapted from Principles for Ensuring Doctrinal Purity, a Correlation Department document approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, February 2023