Ever wondered how religious education evolved alongside public schooling? Today, we’re standing in front of Brighton High LDS Seminary in Cottonwood Heights. This seminary has a unique story to tell.
Brighton High LDS Seminary is part of a system. This system brings religious education to young members. It spans across the world. Over a century ago the Church launched its first released-time seminary program at Granite High School in Salt Lake City.
Joseph F. Merrill was a member of the Granite Utah Stake presidency. He saw his wife teach their children Bible stories. He wanted other children in public schools to have similar spiritual training. Merrill presented his idea to the stake presidency. The seminary program was not created in a vacuum. The desire for religious education was vital to Latter-day Saints. Revelations to Joseph Smith encouraged education. Spiritual and secular topics were taught together.
In 1888, the Church organized a General Board of Education. They wanted to supervise their own schools. Church leaders worried about children in public schools without religious instruction. The Church academies spread throughout the Intermountain West. Church leaders also started religion classes to supplement public education. However, it became hard for LDS families to support two systems.
Joseph F. Merrill wanted Church education to work with public education. He had the idea to build a separate structure near a public school. Students could attend religion classes during the school day. The Granite Utah Stake board approved this plan. Merrill arranged for students to be released from school. They even received school credit for studying biblical topics.
Thomas J. Yates was selected as the first seminary teacher. He wasn’t a religious expert. He was an engineer. He had served faithfully on the stake high council. Yates and Merrill planned the new venture. They centered the class around the scriptures. There was a class on the Old Testament and another on the New Testament. A third non-credit course combined the Book of Mormon and Church history. Construction began on the first seminary building. It had three rooms: an office, a cloak room and a classroom.
In the fall of 1912, the first class had about 70 students. Thomas Yates worked at the Murray power plant in the morning. Then he taught at the seminary in the afternoon. Students prepared a chapter in the Bible and discussed it.
Granite remained the only seminary until 1915. The seminary system began to grow. More seminaries were established throughout Utah, Idaho and Arizona. By the end of the decade there were 20 seminaries.
In January 1916, the Utah State Board of Education approved high school credit for seminary studies. Seminaries became a viable alternative to the academy system. President Joseph F. Smith felt the academy system had reached its limits. Seminaries offered a less expensive way to teach scriptures.
Brighton High LDS Seminary stands as a testament. It highlights the enduring importance of religious education. It also marks its unique place in the community. It adapts to meet the spiritual needs of its students.