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SEMINARY
Welcome to the new seminary teachers joining the great team of Seminaries and Institutes.
We look forward to working with you on behalf of our youth.
This section serves as an introduction to the various responsibilities of your new calling.
Browse the list of options below and access the information you need.
Take time to familiarize yourself with your new responsibilities by writing down questions and searching these pages for answers. Then discuss them with your coordinator.
Your calling as a seminary teacher:
The objective of seminary and institute of religion is to help youth and young adults deepen their conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Heavenly Father.
To achieve this purpose:
Live
We live the gospel of Jesus Christ and strive for the companionship of the Spirit. Our conduct and relationships are exemplary in the home, in class, and in the community. We continually seek to improve our performance, knowledge, attitude, and character. We pay attention to the words of God's living prophets and follow their inspired guidance and teachings.
Teach
We center each learning experience on Jesus Christ and His example, virtues, and redeeming power. We help learners study the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the scriptures and the words of the prophets. We help learners fulfill their roles by striving to learn for themselves. We seek the influence of the Holy Ghost to play His part in every learning experience.
Lead
We strive to lead by following the example of Jesus Christ. We invite and encourage all youth and young adults to participate actively in seminary and institute. We seek to strengthen those we lead, administer the work effectively, and build greater unity. Our efforts help and sustain individuals, families, and priesthood leaders.
Your training as a teacher:
► To help you achieve the purpose of seminary and institute, your coordinator will train you in the following ways:
1 - Initial training
This corresponds to all the information and answers provided during the initial contact between you and your coordinator. It also corresponds to the various sections you are currently reading on this page.
2 - Basic training
Here is the basic training plan we suggest you follow:
Step 1 : Read and follow the instructions in the “Quick Start Guide” to help you use the Seminary teacher’s manual.
Step 2 : Take the “Lesson Training: Prepare Your Future” course.
Step 3 : Complete the “Doctrine Mastery Training.”
Step 4 : Complete the “Assessment Training.”
Step 5 : Complete the training entitled “Adopt and Adapt.”
• For teaching a remote seminary class (via Zoom), read the “Guidelines for Successful Online Teaching.”
Contact your coordinator after each of the above trainings to ask questions and discuss what you have learned.
3 - In-service training
This training is provided by your coordinator throughout your service as an teacher. It is delivered in three different ways:
a - Weekly micro-training sessions
Each week, your coordinator will provide you a micro-training session. You can view it whenever you want during the week. It will only take 10 to 15 minutes of your time. This micro-training session can be a source of inspiration during your study to prepare your next class, and you can quickly put into practice the teaching suggestions you find there.
b - Monthly interviews with your coordinator
Each month, you will need to make an appointment with your coordinator for a 30-minute meeting. The meeting will take place via video conference, and you choose the time. The purpose of this meeting is to support you in your calling, respond to your specific needs, and help you progress in your teaching so that you can become more like the Savior.
c - Two annual training sessions
Each year, your coordinator will also invite you to participate in two training sessions, which may take place in person or via video conference. These two training sessions will allow you to interact with other teachers and do practical teaching exercises. Your coordinator will provide you with the dates and locations of these two training sessions.
► Training manual: Seminaries and Institutes currently use the manual “Teaching in the Savior's Way” as the basis for training.
This manual is available in the Gospel Media Library (Books and Lessons section) or by clicking HERE.
► Travel Expense Reimbursement: When Seminaries and Institutes ask you to travel (to participate in training, for example), your travel expenses may be covered so that finances are not a barrier to your training.
To learn more about travel expense reimbursement and to download the reimbursement form, see the administrative resources section under “Travel Expenses.”
How the seminary program works:
How the seminary courses work
Initially, the seminary program was designed to be taught at school like any other subject. As a result, the pace of the seminary courses generally followed the school calendar. However, the way it works today is different.
The seminary program consists of two semesters of study per year:
The first semester begins in early January and ends in late May or early June.
The second semester begins in early September and ends in late December.
Each week of study consists of four or five classes (four 60-minute classes or five 50-minute classes). At least one of these classes must be held in person (when circumstances permit). The stake presidency chooses how the seminary classes will be taught, choosing from the following four options:
1 - In-person classes
2 - Video conference classes (Zoom)
3 - Online seminary (Canvas)
4 - Solo seminary
You can learn more about these different options by going to the “Seminary - Guide for Parents” section, and in “Frequently Asked Questions,” see “Are there different types of seminary?”.
The seminar study calendar for each semester will help you know which lesson is being taught. You can find it in the administrative resources section under “Calendars”.
The enrollment campaign
The enrollment campaign has two objectives:
To inform all those concerned (participants, parents, and leaders)
To act as advisors, inviting all eligible individuals to enroll and participate in seminary and institute courses.
The enrollment campaign lasts all year long, which means that we must make an effort to invite each person individually to enroll and participate in seminary courses throughout the year, and we invite them regularly. Some will respond favorably to our invitation if we present it with love and understanding.
You will find enrollment campaign materials in the administrative resources section under “Enrollment Campaign.”
Materials and resources for teaching
The scriptures are your primary source for teaching.
Seminary manuals are guides and contain teaching aids to help you prepare your lessons.
You can access the manuals you need in the Gospel Media Library (Books and Lessons --> Seminary):
► Online: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/books-and-lessons/seminary?lang=eng
► On mobile devices by downloading the app:
Apple : https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/biblioth%C3%A8que-de-l%C3%A9vangile/id598329798
Android : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.lds.ldssa&hl=eng
There are other educational resources available under the “Educational Resources” section.
Student monitoring
Student monitoring consists of tracking their progress and recording their attendance and completion of various criteria for semester validation.
You are therefore responsible for recording your students' attendance and other criteria (reading, assessment) using the following website:
► WISE (https://wise2.churchofjesuschrist.org)
The reading criterion can be recorded by the students' parents or the students themselves, or by the teacher or an S&I staff member. Students and parents can record the reading criterion using the following website:
► Le site Web : https://myseminary.churchofjesuschrist.org
Doctrinal Mastery
Doctrinal mastery learning is a unique activity of seminary.
Seminary classes help students follow orderly principles from God with the goal of gaining spiritual knowledge and mastery of doctrine. As students gain spiritual knowledge and are better prepared to answer questions, they follow principles and patterns established by Heavenly Father for learning and understanding truth. As students come to understand, believe, and live the Savior’s doctrine, they deepen their conversion and commitment to Jesus Christ, are protected from the influence of the adversary, and are better able to help others.
Seminary classes lay the foundation for Doctrinal Mastery.
For more information, see “Doctrinal Mastery Core Document” (Gospel Library --> Books and Lessons --> Seminary).
Learning Assessment
In learning, assessment plays an important role but should not be seen as a test to obtain a grade on which we are judged. On the contrary, assessment in the seminar is a learning experience. It should be approached, explained, given, and received as such.
Throughout the semester, lessons entitled “Assess Your Learning” will be devoted to assessing student learning (see study calendar). Use these lessons to assess their understanding of doctrine and their knowledge of the scriptures of Doctrinal Mastery. This will give you an opportunity to supplement their learning of what has not been understood.
Each student must participate in at least one “Assess Your Learning” lesson during the semester to meet the assessment criterion.
► What if a student has not participated in at least one “Assess Your Learning” lesson during the semester?
If a student has not participated in any “Assess Your Learning” lessons during the semester, you will need to administer an assessment either with you or with their family, if possible before the end of the semester.
In this case, as soon as the student has completed the assessment, please remember to forward the information to the administrative assistant who manages your stake so that they can record it in WISE.
► Access the available documents.
If you need to give an assessment to one or more students at the end of a semester, you will find the documents to download in the administrative resources section under “Assessment of Learning.” If you have any questions, feel free to contact the administrative assistant (see Contacts in the Teacher’s website)
Seminary certificates and diplomas
► Semester certificate:
This certificate validates each semester of study in the seminar.
To validate each semester of study, students must meet the following three criteria:
Have attended at least 75% of the seminary lessons for the semester.
Have read the selected passages from the Scriptures for the semester.
Have participated in at least one “Evaluate Your Learning” lesson during the semester.
Student worthiness is not required.
► Graduation diploma:
This is awarded to students who complete seminary and meet the following two criteria:
Have completed 8 semesters of seminary study.
Have been recognized as worthy by their church leader.
This is the highest honor in the seminary program.
Student worthiness is required.
These certificates and diplomas are usually presented to students at a graduation ceremony.
Required reading for semester credit
Here is the list of selected passages from Scripture to read for each semester:
Old Testament
Semester 1: Moses 1-5 ; Abraham 1-3 ; Genesis 37, 39, 41
Semester 2: Isaiah 1-2, 6, 9, 11-12, 29, 49, 53, 58, 61 ; Psalmes 23-24 ; Daniel 1-3, 6 ; Malachi 3
New Testament
Semester 1: Matthew 5-7 ; Luke 2, 22:1-20 ; John 10-21
Semester 2: Acts 1-12 ; Romans 8 ; 1 Corinthians 13 ; Hebrews 11 ; 2 Timothy 3
Book of Mormon
Semester 1: 1 Nephi 1, 8, 11 ; 2 Nephi 9:1-29 ; Mosiah 2-5 ; Alma 5, 7
Semester 2: Alma 32-34 ; 3 Nephi 11, 15-21 ; Moroni 10
Doctrine and Covenants
Semester 1: Joseph Smith - History 1 ; D&C 1-4 ; D&C 8-10
Semester 2: D&C 76 ; D&C 84 ; D&C 93 ; D&C 110 ; D&C 121-123
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