Introduction to Seminary & Policy

Daily Seminary Class Options 

Classes are held on weekdays when school is in session. The number of days the seminary class meets each week may be adapted to local conditions. Classes or online assignments should take approximately four hours per week to complete. 

All seminary class options can help youth become converted to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Class options and programs should be selected based on the needs of families and other local considerations. Stake presidents should counsel with parents and the S&I Coordinator to determine the class options that will best meet the needs of youth within their stake.  

Stake presidents should consider which class options will: 

• Best help students learn the gospel and grow spiritually. 

• Keep students safe. 

• Not burden members and families unnecessarily. 

• Allow students to interact with their peers 

Teacher Roles and Responsibilities 

Your Commitment to Teach Seminary 

• Be worthy to hold a temple recommend. Strive to emulate the Saviour in your life, including such things as how you live, how you teach, and your dress and appearance. 

• Be familiar with and abide by the S&I objective. Abide by the policies, procedures and instructions of the Church Board of Education and executive officers. 

• Work with priesthood and organisation leaders, parents, and peers to coordinate efforts to invite, enrol, teach, and retain students. Encourage students to complete the course of study. Give special attention to new converts and less active members. 

• Create experiences of scriptural understanding, belonging, relevance, and conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ by loving those you teach, teaching by the spirit, focusing on Jesus Christ, teaching the doctrine as found in the word of God, and inviting diligent learning.  

• Adopt and adapt the specified seminary curriculum that aligns with Come Follow Me and help students understand and apply Doctrinal Mastery and life preparation lessons. 

• Ensure that attendance reports are complete, accurate, and on time. 

• Participate in teaching tips, Teaching in the Saviour’s Way discussions with your S&I coordinator, and tri-annual multi-stake teacher gatherings with coordinators. 

• When invited, attend ward and stake council meetings, bishopric youth committee meetings, and stake and multi-stake seminary teacher gatherings. 

Calling and Release 

Stake seminary and institutes of religion teachers and stake seminary supervisors are to be called, set apart, and released by or under the direction of local Stake Presidents. 

Blue Card / WWCC and Youth Protection Training is Required 

Under the local Government Act in your state, it is compulsory that all teachers of Seminary hold a current Blue Card or Working with Children Check / Clearance (WWCC). If you have not applied for one, please see your priesthood leader. 

As part of the Church’s ongoing effort to ensure the safety of children and youth, a new online training course for protecting children and youth has been implemented. All new seminary teachers are to complete the course and to renew the training every three years. 

The training can be accessed at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/church-safety-and-health/protecting-children-and-youth?lang=eng and will take about 30 minutes to complete. Each member will need to log in individually with his or her own Church account for the completion of training to be recorded. 

Dress Standards 

Teachers 

All teachers are to be suitably attired to teach seminary. 

Men: Ties and suits or sports coats and dress slacks. White or light-coloured dress shirts.  

Women: Professional pant suits, dress slacks, skirts, or dresses of at least knee length. 

Students 

As the teacher, you are encouraged to communicate your own rules and expectations with relation to this issue. We would recommend that you discuss these guidelines with your bishop so that you and he are unified in your expectations. We suggest that it is important that students not wear pyjamas and sleepwear in class, nor bring ‘sleep’ related items such as pillows and blankets. 

Bishopric Interviews 

Schedule a monthly meeting (see Ward Executive Secretary) with your Bishop or member of the Bishopric to discuss student progress, rescue efforts, problems, or concerns.  They can view student progress by using mySeminary.