Church Educational System
Encyclopedia
The Church Educational System (CES) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) consists of several institutions that provide religious and secular education for both Latter-day Saint and non-Latter-day Saint elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and adult learners. Approximately 1.2 million individuals were enrolled in CES programs in approximately 135 countries during the 2003–2004 school year. CES courses of study are separate and distinct from religious instruction provided through LDS Church congregations. Paul V. Johnson
, of the First Quorum of Seventy, has been the Commissioner of the Church Educational System since August 1, 2008.
programs designed for secondary students are called “seminaries." These are programs of religious education for youths ages 14–18 that accompany the students' secular education. In areas with large concentrations of Latter-day Saints such as Arizona
, Colorado
, Idaho
, Nevada
, New Mexico
, Oregon
, Utah
, Washington, and Wyoming
in the United States, and in some places in Alberta
, Canada
, instruction is offered on a released time
basis during the normal school day in meetinghouses, or facilities built specifically for seminary programs, adjacent to public schools. Released-time seminary classes are generally taught by full-time employees. In areas with smaller LDS populations early-morning or home-study seminary programs are offered. Early-morning seminary classes are held daily before the normal school day in private homes or in meetinghouses and are taught by volunteer teachers. Home-study seminary classes are offered where geographic dispersion of students is so great that it is not feasible to meet on a daily basis. Home study seminary students study daily, but meet only once a week as a class. Home study classes are usually held in connection with weekly youth fellowship activities on a weekday evening.
The seminary education system of the LDS Church provides extensive study of theology using as texts the "standard works" of the church (Old Testament
, New Testament
, Book of Mormon
and Doctrine and Covenants
) throughout the school week, in addition to normal Sunday classes. The 4 courses are taught, 1 per year, on a rotating basis (the 2009-2010 curriculum follows the Book of Mormon). Seminary students are encouraged to study each scriptural text on their own time and to memorize a total of 100 scriptural passages or "scripture mastery" verses during their participation of the four-year program.
Unlike its use in other religious contexts, the word seminary
, in a Latter-day Saint context, does not refer to a higher education program designed to train students that they may obtain a Church-based career. LDS Seminary students do not get high school credit for their seminary studies.
Recently the LDS Church has undergone a pilot online seminary program to supplement or supplant the home-study program. This online pilot program has seen substantial success in helping to meet the needs of home-study students separated by distances that make meeting daily impractical. Through the Church’s online learning system Seminary teachers are able to incorporate student participation that includes sharing their own thoughts and ideas, as well as feelings and experiences they have had with the church. This helps provide a greater sense of community and connection as well as a chance to learn the Gospel in a similar way that students do in areas with a larger concentrations of LDS youth
is also provided for students who enroll in post-secondary education, or those of student age (generally for students ages 18–30), through institutes of religion
. CES Institutes serve more than 150,000 students in more than 500 locations worldwide. Many colleges throughout the United States either have institute buildings or active programs near their campuses. Institute classes are offered in leased or owned facilities adjacent to institutions of higher education
. Many LDS chapels, also lend their facilities for institute classes. Institute buildings are designed to provide a place for institute students to increase faith and understanding, learn Church doctrines and life skills, carry out service projects, congregate, and socialize. The first Institute of Religion was established in Moscow, Idaho adjacent to the University of Idaho
. Currently the largest Institute of Religion enrollment is found at the University of Utah
in Salt Lake City
, Utah
. The largest Institute enrollment outside of the state of Utah is found at Idaho State University
in Pocatello
, Idaho
.
and secondary schools in Mexico
and in the Pacific Islands
, Brigham Young University
, Brigham Young University–Idaho
, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and LDS Business College
.
Pacific Islands
, the LDS Church set up a number of "stake academies," which mainly provided secondary education due to the lack of public schools in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A few of these academies eventually evolved into colleges or universities. Most, however, were closed with the emergence of public school districts. These included:
The LDS Church also established formal colleges and universities:
Histories
Paul V. Johnson
Paul Vere Johnson has been the sixteenth Commissioner of Church Education of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since August 2008 and a general authority of the church since 2005...
, of the First Quorum of Seventy, has been the Commissioner of the Church Educational System since August 1, 2008.
Seminaries
Religious educationReligious education
In secular usage, religious education is the teaching of a particular religion and its varied aspects —its beliefs, doctrines, rituals, customs, rites, and personal roles...
programs designed for secondary students are called “seminaries." These are programs of religious education for youths ages 14–18 that accompany the students' secular education. In areas with large concentrations of Latter-day Saints such as Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, Washington, and Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
in the United States, and in some places in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, instruction is offered on a released time
Released Time
Released Time is a concept used in the United States public school system wherein pupils enrolled in the public schools are permitted by law to receive religious instruction...
basis during the normal school day in meetinghouses, or facilities built specifically for seminary programs, adjacent to public schools. Released-time seminary classes are generally taught by full-time employees. In areas with smaller LDS populations early-morning or home-study seminary programs are offered. Early-morning seminary classes are held daily before the normal school day in private homes or in meetinghouses and are taught by volunteer teachers. Home-study seminary classes are offered where geographic dispersion of students is so great that it is not feasible to meet on a daily basis. Home study seminary students study daily, but meet only once a week as a class. Home study classes are usually held in connection with weekly youth fellowship activities on a weekday evening.
The seminary education system of the LDS Church provides extensive study of theology using as texts the "standard works" of the church (Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
, New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
, Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
and Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants
The Doctrine and Covenants is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement...
) throughout the school week, in addition to normal Sunday classes. The 4 courses are taught, 1 per year, on a rotating basis (the 2009-2010 curriculum follows the Book of Mormon). Seminary students are encouraged to study each scriptural text on their own time and to memorize a total of 100 scriptural passages or "scripture mastery" verses during their participation of the four-year program.
Unlike its use in other religious contexts, the word seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, in a Latter-day Saint context, does not refer to a higher education program designed to train students that they may obtain a Church-based career. LDS Seminary students do not get high school credit for their seminary studies.
Recently the LDS Church has undergone a pilot online seminary program to supplement or supplant the home-study program. This online pilot program has seen substantial success in helping to meet the needs of home-study students separated by distances that make meeting daily impractical. Through the Church’s online learning system Seminary teachers are able to incorporate student participation that includes sharing their own thoughts and ideas, as well as feelings and experiences they have had with the church. This helps provide a greater sense of community and connection as well as a chance to learn the Gospel in a similar way that students do in areas with a larger concentrations of LDS youth
Institutes of Religion
Religious educationReligious education
In secular usage, religious education is the teaching of a particular religion and its varied aspects —its beliefs, doctrines, rituals, customs, rites, and personal roles...
is also provided for students who enroll in post-secondary education, or those of student age (generally for students ages 18–30), through institutes of religion
Institute of Religion
Institutes of Religion provide religious educational classes for young single adult and university students who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
. CES Institutes serve more than 150,000 students in more than 500 locations worldwide. Many colleges throughout the United States either have institute buildings or active programs near their campuses. Institute classes are offered in leased or owned facilities adjacent to institutions of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
. Many LDS chapels, also lend their facilities for institute classes. Institute buildings are designed to provide a place for institute students to increase faith and understanding, learn Church doctrines and life skills, carry out service projects, congregate, and socialize. The first Institute of Religion was established in Moscow, Idaho adjacent to the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
. Currently the largest Institute of Religion enrollment is found at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. The largest Institute enrollment outside of the state of Utah is found at Idaho State University
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
in Pocatello
Pocatello, Idaho
Pocatello is the county seat and largest city of Bannock County, with a small portion on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in neighboring Power County, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. It is the principal city of the Pocatello metropolitan area, which encompasses all of Bannock...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
.
Elementary, secondary, and higher education
CES institutions that provide secular education, in addition to religious education, include elementaryPrimary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and secondary schools in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and in the Pacific Islands
Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
, Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
, Brigham Young University–Idaho
Brigham Young University–Idaho
Brigham Young University–Idaho is a private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. Founded in 1888, the university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution in 2001, known for the greater part of its...
, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and LDS Business College
LDS Business College
LDS Business College is a two-year college in Salt Lake City, Utah, focused on training students in business and industry. The college is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and operates under the Church Educational System and is associated with the Brigham Young University...
.
Elementary and secondary schools
Mexico- Academia JuárezAcademia JuárezFounded in 1897, The Juarez Stake Academy or Academia Juárez, located in Colonia Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, is the oldest private high school owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that follows a dual-language program that is unique in the country. During the 2008-2009 school...
- Preparatoria Benemérito de las AméricasBenemerito De Las AmericasEl Centro Escolar Benemérito de las Américas is a private high school operated by the LDS Church.-History:On December 27 in 1832 Parley P...
(Mexico City)
Pacific Islands
- Moroni High School (KiribatiKiribatiKiribati , officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The permanent population exceeds just over 100,000 , and is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the...
) - LDS Primary School (FijiFijiFiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
) - LDS Church College (FijiFijiFiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
) - Church College of Western Samoa (SamoaSamoaSamoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
) - Sanuniatu Primary School (SamoaSamoaSamoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
) - Vaiola (Fusi) Primary School (SamoaSamoaSamoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
) - Church College of Savaii (SamoaSamoaSamoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
) - Liahona High School (TongaTongaTonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
) - Saineha High School (TongaTongaTonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
) - Liahona Middle School (TongaTongaTonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
) - E'Ua Middle School (TongaTongaTonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
) - Havelu Middle School (TongaTongaTonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
) - Saineha Middle School (TongaTongaTonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
) - Pangai Middle School (TongaTongaTonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
) - Pakilau Middle School (TongaTongaTonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
)
Higher education
- Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
, Provo, UtahProvo, UtahProvo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south... - Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Lā'ie, Hawai'iLa'ie, Hawai'iLaie is a census-designated place located in the Koolauloa District on the island of Oahu in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. In Hawaiian, lāie means "ie leaf" . The population was 4,585 at the 2000 census.-History:Historically, Laie was a puuhonua, a sanctuary for fugitives...
- Brigham Young University–IdahoBrigham Young University–IdahoBrigham Young University–Idaho is a private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. Founded in 1888, the university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution in 2001, known for the greater part of its...
, Rexburg, IdahoRexburg, Idaho-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,257 people, 4,274 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,534.4 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 928.4 per square mile... - LDS Business CollegeLDS Business CollegeLDS Business College is a two-year college in Salt Lake City, Utah, focused on training students in business and industry. The college is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and operates under the Church Educational System and is associated with the Brigham Young University...
, Salt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
History
After the emigration to and settlement of the mountain west areas of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the LDS Church set up a number of "stake academies," which mainly provided secondary education due to the lack of public schools in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A few of these academies eventually evolved into colleges or universities. Most, however, were closed with the emergence of public school districts. These included:
- Bannock Stake AcademyBrigham Young University–IdahoBrigham Young University–Idaho is a private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. Founded in 1888, the university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution in 2001, known for the greater part of its...
- St. Joseph Stake AcademyEastern Arizona CollegeEastern Arizona College , is a community college located in Graham County, Arizona. The main campus is in Thatcher, with satellite locations in Gila County, and Greenlee County...
- St. George Stake AcademyDixie State College of UtahDixie State College of Utah is a college located in St. George, Utah, United States.-History:...
- Brigham Young AcademyBrigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
- Cassia Stake Academy
- Oneida Stake AcademyOneida Stake AcademyThe Oneida Stake Academy was constructed in 1895 by the Oneida Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Preston, Idaho. Among its alumni were Ezra Taft Benson and Harold B...
- Church College of New ZealandChurch College of New ZealandChurch College of New Zealand was a private secondary school in Temple View, Hamilton, New Zealand, that was operated by the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It was closed at the end of the 2009 school year.-History:Construction of the Church College of...
(closed November 2009) - Weber Stake AcademyWeber State UniversityWeber State University is a public university located in the city of Ogden in Weber County, Utah, USA. It was founded in 1889 and is a coeducational, publicly supported university offering professional, liberal arts and technical certificates, as well as associate, bachelor's and master's degrees...
The LDS Church also established formal colleges and universities:
- University of DeseretUniversity of UtahThe University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
- Brigham Young CollegeBrigham Young CollegeBrigham Young College was a college and high school in Logan, Utah. It was founded by Brigham Young on 6 August 1877, 23 days before he died. He deeded several acres of land to a board of trustees for the development of a college. This was just two years after he founded Brigham Young Academy in...
in Logan, UtahLogan, Utah-Layout of the City:Logan's city grid originates from its Main and Center Street block, with Main Street running north and south, and Center east and west. Each block north, east, south, or west of the origin accumulates in additions of 100 , though some streets have non-numeric names... - Latter-day Saints' University
Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees
| Boards of Trustees/Education | Thomas S. Monson Thomas S. Monson Thomas Spencer Monson is an American religious leader and author, and the 16th and current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . As president, Monson is considered by adherents of the religion to be a "prophet, seer, and revelator" of God's will on earth... Henry B. Eyring Henry B. Eyring Henry Bennion Eyring is an American educational administrator, author, and religious leader. In 2008 Eyring became First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Eyring was the Second Counselor to Gordon B. Hinckley in the First Presidency from October... Dieter F. Uchtdorf Dieter F. Uchtdorf Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf is a German former aviator and airline executive. He currently serves as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the eleventh most senior apostle in the ranks of the Church.-Early life and education:Uchtdorf... Russell M. Nelson Russell M. Nelson Russell Marion Nelson is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an internationally renowned cardiothoracic surgeon.-Medical career:... Dallin H. Oaks Dallin H. Oaks Dallin Harris Oaks is an American attorney, jurist, author, professor, public speaker, and religious leader. Since 1984, he has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... M. Russell Ballard M. Russell Ballard Melvin Russell Ballard, Jr. is an American businessman and a religious leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1985. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Ballard is accepted by the church members as a... Steven E. Snow Steven E. Snow Steven Erastus Snow has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2001.... Julie B. Beck Julie B. Beck Julie Bangerter Beck has been the general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 31 March 2007... Elaine S. Dalton Elaine S. Dalton Elaine Schwartz Dalton has been the thirteenth president of the Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since April 2008. From 2002 to 2008, Dalton was a counselor to Susan W. Tanner in the general presidency of the Young Women.-Biography:Elaine Schwartz was... |
Office of the Commissioner of Church Education
| Commissioner, Church Educational System | Paul V. Johnson Paul V. Johnson Paul Vere Johnson has been the sixteenth Commissioner of Church Education of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since August 2008 and a general authority of the church since 2005... |
| Assistant to the Commissioner and Secretary to the Boards | Roger G. Christensen |
Presidents / Administrator of individual CES units
| President / Administrator | CES Unit | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Cecil O. Samuelson, Jr. | Brigham Young University Brigham Young University Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students... |
Provo, Utah Provo, Utah Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south... |
| Kim B. Clark Kim B. Clark Kim B. Clark is President of Brigham Young University–Idaho. Before this appointment in 2005, Clark served as Dean of the Harvard Business School from 1995 to 2005 and as the George F... |
Brigham Young University–Idaho Brigham Young University–Idaho Brigham Young University–Idaho is a private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. Founded in 1888, the university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution in 2001, known for the greater part of its... |
Rexburg, Idaho Rexburg, Idaho -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,257 people, 4,274 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,534.4 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 928.4 per square mile... |
| Steven C. Wheelwright Steven C. Wheelwright Steven Charles Wheelwright has been the president of Brigham Young University Hawaii since June 2007. Prior to his current appointment, he was a professor and senior associate dean at Harvard Business School.-Biography:... |
Brigham Young University–Hawaii | Laie, Hawaii |
| J. Lawrence Richards | LDS Business College LDS Business College LDS Business College is a two-year college in Salt Lake City, Utah, focused on training students in business and industry. The college is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and operates under the Church Educational System and is associated with the Brigham Young University... |
Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197... |
| Chad H Webb | Seminaries and Institutes of Religion | Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197... |
Chronology of the Commissioner of Church Education
| No. | Dates | Individual | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1888–1901 | Karl G. Maeser Karl G. Maeser -Brigham Young Academy:When Maeser arrived at Brigham Young Academy in 1876 it was dying. Enrollment had declined since Warren N. Dusenberry had started the school a few months before. There were only 29 students at the time of Maeser's arrival.... |
Superintendent of Church Schools |
| 2 | 1901–1905 | Joseph M. Tanner Joseph M. Tanner Joseph Marion Tanner was an American educator and a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He has been described as "one of the most gifted teachers and writers in the [LDS] Church in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries".Tanner was born in Payson, Utah Territory... |
Superintendent of Church Schools |
| 3 | 1905–1920 | Horace H. Cummings Horace H. Cummings Horace Hall Cummings was an American educator and a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... |
Commissioner of Church Schools |
| 4 | 1920–1921 | David O. McKay David O. McKay David Oman McKay was the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , serving from 1951 until his death. Ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906, McKay was a general authority for nearly 64 years, longer than anyone else in LDS Church... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 5 | 1921–1924 | John A. Widtsoe John A. Widtsoe John Andreas Widtsoe was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1921 until his death. Widtsoe was also a noted author, scientist, and academician.-Early life:... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 6 | 1928–1933 | Joseph F. Merrill Joseph F. Merrill Joseph Francis Merrill was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from October 8, 1931 until his death.... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 7 | 1934–1936 | John A. Widtsoe John A. Widtsoe John Andreas Widtsoe was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1921 until his death. Widtsoe was also a noted author, scientist, and academician.-Early life:... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 8 | 1936–1953 | Franklin L. West Franklin L. West Franklin Lorenzo Richards West was an American educator and a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 9 | 1953–1970 | Ernest L. Wilkinson Ernest L. Wilkinson Ernest Leroy Wilkinson was an American academic administrator and prominent figure in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was president of Brigham Young University from 1951 to 1971 and also oversaw the entire LDS Church Educational System. Prior to this, Wilkinson was a lawyer... |
Administrator–Chancellor of the Unified Church School System |
| 10 | 1970–1976 | Neal A. Maxwell Neal A. Maxwell Neal Ash Maxwell was an apostle and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1981 until his death.-Life:... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 11 | 1976–1980 | Jeffrey R. Holland Jeffrey R. Holland Jeffrey Roy Holland is an American educator and religious leader. He served as the ninth President of Brigham Young University and is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Holland is accepted by... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 12 | 1980–1986 | Henry B. Eyring Henry B. Eyring Henry Bennion Eyring is an American educational administrator, author, and religious leader. In 2008 Eyring became First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Eyring was the Second Counselor to Gordon B. Hinckley in the First Presidency from October... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 13 | 1986–1989 | J. Elliot Cameron J. Elliot Cameron J. Elliot Cameron was an American educator and a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 14 | 1992–2004 | Henry B. Eyring Henry B. Eyring Henry Bennion Eyring is an American educational administrator, author, and religious leader. In 2008 Eyring became First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Eyring was the Second Counselor to Gordon B. Hinckley in the First Presidency from October... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 15 | 2005–2008 | W. Rolfe Kerr W. Rolfe Kerr William Rolfe Kerr is the president of the Logan Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
| 16 | 2008– | Paul V. Johnson Paul V. Johnson Paul Vere Johnson has been the sixteenth Commissioner of Church Education of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since August 2008 and a general authority of the church since 2005... |
Commissioner of Church Education |
External links
- BESMART.COM: Preparing Youth for Higher Education
- Seminary
- Institute of Religion
- Brigham Young University
- BYU Adult Continuing Education
- Brigham Young University–Hawaii
- Brigham Young University–Idaho
- LDS Business College
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Histories