Seminaries and Institutes of Religion

What Seminaries and Institutes of Religion does

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion (S&I) is the official religious education program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, established in 1926 and operated as part of the Church Educational System (CES). The organization delivers scripture-based education to two primary segments: youth aged 14-18 through Seminary, offered as released-time classes during school hours, daily early morning classes, and online delivery; and young adults aged 18-30 through the Institute of Religion, delivered as campus-based and community-based programs. Core curriculum is anchored in the Come, Follow Me sequential scripture study program and was expanded in January 2025 with new thematic "Life Preparation Lessons" covering mission preparation, temple preparation, educational preparation, emotional resilience, and life skills. Supporting resources include the Gospel Library digital platform, the For the Strength of Youth guide, Taking Charge of Technology, mission preparation materials, and an extensive youth video library, all copyrighted by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Name

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion

Legal name

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion

Website

https://seminary.churchofjesuschrist.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion delivers free scripture-based religious education to LDS youth (ages 14-18) and young adults (ages 18-30) worldwide through Seminary and Institute programs, funded by the Church Educational System and distributed via in-school, campus, congregation, and digital channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Religious education programs
• Scripture study curriculum
• Youth faith education
• Seminary institute classes
• Come follow me curriculum

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Free Religious Education Services: Seminaries and Institutes of Religion provides free religious education to youth and young adults as part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' educational mission. The program is funded through Church general funds rather than student tuition. Released-time seminary may receive credit through public schools in some jurisdictions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion provides free religious education to LDS youth (ages 14-18) through seminary and to young adults (ages 18-30) through institute programs, using the Come, Follow Me sequential scripture study curriculum augmented with thematic life preparation lessons. Programs are delivered via released-time and early-morning seminary classes as well as campus-based and community-based institute classes, supplemented by digital resources on the Gospel Library platform, with all instruction provided by volunteer teachers coordinated through the Church Educational System.

Product overview

Seminaries and Institutes of Religion (S&I) offers a dual-product educational system: Seminary provides religious education for youth (ages 14-18), while Institute of Religion serves young adults (ages 18-30). The curriculum combines Come, Follow Me sequential scripture study (3-4 days per week) with new Life Preparation Lessons (1-2 days per week) covering mission preparation, temple preparation, educational preparation, emotional resilience, and life skills. Supporting resources include Taking Charge of Technology (a guide for balanced technology use), For the Strength of Youth standards guide, mission preparation materials, and an extensive youth video library. All programs aim to deepen conversion to Jesus Christ and prepare students for temple worship, missionary service, education, and eternal families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Come, Follow Me: The curriculum framework used in seminary classes aligned with family and Church-wide scripture study

Products and services

• Seminary Religious education program for youth typically ages 14-18 that helps deepen conversion to Jesus Christ and prepare for temple, missions, education, and future families. Delivered through released-time and early-morning classes using the Come, Follow Me curriculum plus Life Preparation lessons.
• Institute of Religion Religious education program for young adults ages 18-30 that helps deepen conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, delivered through campus-based and community-based institute classes using the Come, Follow Me curriculum.
• Come, Follow Me Curriculum Sequential scripture study curriculum aligned with the Church-wide Come, Follow Me program, allowing students to study the same material as individual members, families, and other Church classes.
• Life Preparation Lessons New thematic lessons added to seminary curriculum covering topics such as mission preparation, temple preparation, educational preparation, scripture study skills, emotional resilience, life skills, and teachings of latter-day prophets. Delivered 1-2 times per week alongside Come, Follow Me sequential study.
• Taking Charge of Technology A guide helping youth, parents, and leaders learn to use technology with greater purpose, balance, and spiritual awareness through principles of Purpose, Plan, and Pause.
• For the Strength of Youth Guide A guide for youth on making choices and living gospel standards, including technology use guidelines.
• Mission Preparation Resources Resources to help youth prepare for full-time missionary service.
• Youth Videos Collection of inspirational videos for youth covering themes of faith, standards, and gospel living.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record seminary enrollment percentage achieved despite fewer potential students in the demographic
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Awana: International evangelical children's and youth ministry that delivers a structured, curriculum-based Bible study program in weekly club meetings worldwide. Comparable as a globally scaled, weekly-cadence, youth-targeted faith education program with proprietary curriculum and church-based delivery.
• Hebrew Union College — Jewish Education Programs: Coordinates supplementary religious education (Hebrew/Talmud/Torah study) for Jewish youth and young adults through congregational schools and campus-based programs. Directly comparable in its denomination-specific, lay-focused, multi-modal delivery model aimed at adolescent and young-adult engagement.
• Young Life: Faith-based youth ministry organization focused on reaching adolescents and young adults through clubs, campaigns, and discipleship programs. Comparable in its target demographic (middle-school through college-age), emphasis on relational outreach, and role as a feeder into broader faith formation.
• BYU–Idaho and BYU Pathway (Church Educational System): Sister institutions within the same Church Educational System, providing higher education and online pathway programs for LDS young adults globally. Comparable as the next-stage educational arm of the same denomination, with overlapping students and integrated curriculum pathways.
• Word of Life: International Christian youth ministry offering Bible study curriculum, camps, and club programs for youth and young adults. Comparable as a parallel evangelical delivery model for adolescent faith formation with structured curriculum and global footprint.
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops — Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD): Coordinates Catholic parish-based religious education (CCD/Religious Education) for school-age youth and catechumenate formation. Structurally the closest analog to S&I: denominational, volunteer-taught, supplementary to secular schooling, and oriented toward deepening faith and preparing youth for sacramental milestones.

Emerging players

• Summit Ministries: Provides Christian worldview and discipleship programs for teens and young adults, including student conferences and curriculum resources. Comparable in its focus on equipping youth to apply faith to contemporary life topics — overlapping with S&I's new Life Preparation Lessons emphasis.
• Alpha (Alpha International): Globally deployed Christianity introduction and discipleship course series used in churches, universities, and prisons. Comparable as a widely adopted supplementary Christian education program targeting young adults with structured, discussion-based curriculum outside formal seminary contexts.

Broad incumbents

• Jewish Theological Seminary of America: Denominational seminary providing rabbinic training, academic study, and broader Jewish education programs. Comparable as a denominational theological educational institution with curriculum authority, though focused on clergy/graduate training rather than adolescent lay formation.

Regional players

• National Institute for Newman Studies (Catholic higher education): Catholic organization supporting undergraduate theology programs and faith formation on secular university campuses. Comparable as a denomination-sponsored young-adult religious education provider operating in proximity to secular higher education institutions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-seminaries-and-institutes-of-religion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Seminaries and Institutes of Religion