Lds Seminary

What Lds Seminary does

LDS Seminary (Seminaries and Institutes of Religion) is the religious educational program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, providing free scripture-based instruction to LDS youth ages 14-18 (Seminary) and young adults ages 18-30 (Institute). The program delivers curriculum via four modalities — released-time, early-morning, home-study, and institute classes — anchored on the Come, Follow Me synchronized scripture-study curriculum and supported by teaching resources such as Teaching in the Savior's Way and the Gospel Library digital platform. Delivery is global wherever the Church maintains stakes, wards, and meetinghouses, with content distributed through the churchofjesuschrist.org website, the Gospel Library app, broadcast training events, and personal-invitation videos from Church leaders including President Russell M. Nelson and President Dallin H. Oaks.

The underlying technology stack is a content-distribution platform rather than a software product: Gospel Library serves scriptures and seminary materials digitally; ldscdn.org hosts video assets in multiple resolutions and American Sign Language versions; and online-teaching infrastructure supports remote instruction. Curriculum content draws on the Church's standard works (Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price) plus teachings of living prophets. A January 2025 curriculum update added thematic life-preparation lessons covering mission, temple, education, emotional resilience, life skills, and prophet teachings.

LDS Seminary is not a commercial entity. It generates no revenue, charges no tuition, and is funded through the parent Church's general operating budget from member tithes and offerings. Seminary teachers serve as volunteer "called" members rather than paid employees. The program is administered by Brother Chad H. Webb, Administrator of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, under the Church Educational System. Reach is global and enrollment grew by 22,000 seminary students and 57,000 institute students recently, with 25,000+ non-member participants attending institute classes and 9,000 resulting baptisms — outcomes that represent the program's primary growth and impact metrics in lieu of revenue figures.

Name

Lds Seminary

Legal name

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Seminary Program

Website

https://seminary.lds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LDS Seminary is the free religious education program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivering scripture-based Seminary classes to LDS youth ages 14-18 and Institute classes to young adults ages 18-30 worldwide through the Church's ward and stake structure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Services (611), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAD

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

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

Keywords

• Religious education programs
• Youth scripture study
• Gospel curriculum
• Seminary education
• Institute classes

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Religious Education (No Direct Revenue): Seminary and Institute of Religion is a free educational program provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The program is supported through the Church's general operational funding from member tithes and offerings. No tuition or fees are charged to participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LDS Seminary provides religious education for youth ages 14-18 through the Come, Follow Me scripture-based curriculum, delivered via released-time, early-morning, and home-study classes held at church meetinghouses and online. The Institute of Religion program extends this gospel study to young adults ages 18-30. All offerings are provided free of charge to participants and supported by the Church's general operating budget.

Product overview

LDS Seminary (Seminaries and Institutes of Religion) operates as a religious education platform providing seminary programs for youth (ages 14-18) and institute programs for young adults (ages 18-30). The core offering includes the Come, Follow Me curriculum, which synchronizes scripture study across individuals, families, and church classes. The portfolio also encompasses the Taking Charge of Technology guide, teacher development resources (including Teaching in the Savior's Way and Teacher Development Skills), Gospel Library scripture resources, and youth media content (Mormon Messages for Youth videos). In 2025, a new curriculum structure will launch featuring sequential Come, Follow Me lessons 3-4 days per week combined with thematic life preparation lessons 1-2 days per week. The organization also provides S&I Broadcasts for teacher training and supports both in-person and online teaching delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seminary Program Religious education program for youth (typically ages 14-18) that helps deepen conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, qualify for temple blessings, and prepare for missions and eternal life. Delivered through released-time, early-morning, and home-study formats.
• Institute of Religion Program Religious education program for young adults (ages 18-30) that provides gospel study and fellowship opportunities following seminary graduation.
• Come, Follow Me Curriculum A synchronized scripture study curriculum used by individuals, families, and church classes including seminary, allowing students to study the same scripture passages together across the Church.
• Taking Charge of Technology Guide A guide helping youth and families use technology intentionally and positively through principles of purpose, plan, and pause, including event hosting materials and teaching resources.
• Teaching in the Savior's Way Teaching manual guiding educators to teach in the manner of Jesus Christ, used by seminary and institute teachers.
• Gospel Library Scriptures Online access to the standard works including Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price with study helps and resources.
• Mormon Messages for Youth Videos Collection of inspirational videos for youth covering topics of faith, testimony, standards, and gospel living.
• For the Strength of Youth Guide A guide for youth providing standards and principles for making choices, including technology stewardship guidance.
• Mission Preparation Resources Resources to help youth prepare spiritually and practically for missionary service.
• S&I Broadcasts Annual training broadcasts for seminary and institute teachers including the S&I Annual Broadcast with spiritual guidance and program updates.
• Online Teaching Online teaching capabilities and resources for delivering seminary and institute instruction remotely.
• Life Preparation Lessons New topical lessons within seminary curriculum addressing topics such as mission preparation, temple preparation, educational preparation, scripture study skills, emotional resilience, life skills, and teachings of latter-day prophets.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22,000 enrollment increase despite demographic decline
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• YouVersion (Life.Church): Free Bible app and online study platform developed by Life.Church, serving tens of millions of users globally with devotional plans and Scripture content. Comparable as a free, globally distributed, faith-based digital Scripture engagement platform — though nondenominational rather than tied to a single denomination.
• Awana Clubs International: Nonprofit, globally active evangelical children's and youth ministry program using volunteer-led clubs at local churches. Comparable as a structured, volunteer-delivered, weekly religious education program for youth tied to local congregations.
• Catechetical Institute (Franciscan University): Catholic catechesis training program delivering online and in-person formation for youth ministers, teachers, and parents. Comparable as a faith-based educator-development platform tied to a specific denomination's curriculum.
• Ascension Press: Catholic publisher producing structured Scripture study programs (e.g., 'Bible in a Year' podcast) used by parishes and small groups. Comparable as a denomination-aligned provider of structured religious curriculum for lay participants.

Direct peers

• BYU Independent Study: Sister program under the same LDS Church Educational System, providing accredited online courses to high school and university students. Directly comparable as a parallel faith-based distance education offering from the same parent organization.
• Bible Study Fellowship (BSF): Interdenominational in-person Bible study program operating globally through trained volunteer discussion leaders. Closely comparable as a free, volunteer-led, structured Scripture study program for adults and youth using a synchronized curriculum.
• BYU–Pathway Worldwide: LDS Church Educational System's online degree program for adult learners, particularly in developing regions. Comparable as another globally distributed, church-funded religious educational program reaching similar demographics through digital delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Our Sunday Visitor (OSV): Large Catholic publisher and parish-resource provider offering curricula, sacramental prep, and faith-formation materials. Comparable as an established, denomination-specific publisher of religious education curricula for parish and family use.
• National Catholic Reporter / USCCB Education Initiatives: US Conference of Catholic Bishops oversees Catholic youth formation frameworks (e.g., 'Catechism,' confirmation prep) used by dioceses and parishes nationwide. Comparable as the institutional counterpart for the largest competing denomination's youth religious education infrastructure.

Others

• Logos Bible Software: Commercial digital platform for deep Bible study with original-language tools and curated courses. Adjacent in providing digital infrastructure for personal Scripture study, though commercially priced and research-oriented rather than youth-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lds-seminary

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 Lds Seminary