“Answering My Gospel Questions Workshop” is what many students discuss when they meet here at College Park LDS Institute of Religion UMD. The College Park LDS Institute of Religion serves as a pivotal center. It supports students of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the University of Maryland.
The institute is more than just a place for religious study. It is a community hub. It offers a range of activities for young adults aged 18 to 30. Everyone is welcome here.
Institutes of Religion are directed by the Church Educational System. They share responsibility with the seminary program. They also oversee the church’s higher education institutions. Brigham Young University is one of them.
Beyond classes the College Park LDS Institute of Religion sponsors activities. Dances are popular. These events cater to the social needs of postsecondary students. Young adult church members are encouraged to enroll in classes.
The College Park LDS Institute of Religion offers standard courses. These cover the Book of Mormon. They explore the Old and New Testaments. Students also study the Doctrine and Covenants. Other modern revelations are examined. BYU students must take religion classes offered by the university. Students can transfer Institute course credit to BYU. A nominal charge applies. Graduation from the Institute program requires 14 course credit hours.
The first Institute of Religion was established in 1926. It was in Moscow, Idaho. It was next to the University of Idaho. J. Wyley Sessions was its first director. The Logan Institute of Religion was the first in Utah. Currently there are 350000 students. They are spread across over 2700 locations.
Each College Park LDS Institute of Religion has a director. Seminaries and Institutes of Religion hire them. An Institute Council exists. Students appointed by the local bishop or branch president form it. This role is voluntary. Ultimate responsibility lies with the Church Board of Education.
Institute directors often oversee large areas. They may be based at a university. There they teach multiple classes. Other teachers may assist. They might also teach a class weekly at other universities nearby. This depends on the number of LDS students.
By the early 1990s, the church realized something. Young adults not in college could also benefit. Many schools had few LDS students. Community colleges lacked concentrations of LDS students. In 1992, the church launched the expanded institute program. The goal was for every stake to offer at least one institute class. Volunteer instructors usually taught these classes. Supervision followed the same lines as seminary teachers. Any young single adult or student could attend. All single members under 31 were encouraged to attend where possible.
In the 21st century, the church developed the Institute Outreach Center. It was later renamed the Center for Young Adults. This focused on institute courses. It included an activity council. The council planned outreach activities. Full-time missionaries reached out to their peers. Senior missionary couples provided guidance.
The founding of the L.D.S. Institutes of Religion marks an important facility. It is near college campuses. These are in areas with many Mormons. In student numbers, the Institutes represent the most important system of higher education. They represent one of the largest church-related education systems in the nation. There are approximately two hundred separate Institutes of Religion. They are at as many colleges and universities. The combined enrollment exceeds 35000. That is almost twice the number of full-time students at Brigham Young University.
College Park LDS Institute of Religion continues this tradition. It supports students. It fosters spiritual growth. It provides a sense of community. It enriches lives near the University of Maryland.