But it helps you out in the morning, it helps start your day. You can't leave and not be in a good mood. Seminary programs like the one held in Wake Forest were created by the church in Utah in 1912 and established in North Carolina more than 60 years ago. The church counts on students having few scheduling conflicts in the hours before school, according to Bob Lee, LDS Educational System Director for the Raleigh and Wilmington Stakes. Lee said the church's reasoning behind the program stems from its desire to provide its own religious study to complement students' secular education.
Public education has restrictions on what they can do and rightly so.
At our expense, we are providing our perspective with our materials on what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. The church asks for a four-year commitment from the youth participating. To graduate from seminary, a teen must attend 80 percent of classes and learn 100 Scriptures from the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Successful seminary students receive certificates at spring graduation ceremonies and can list the program on college applications. Seminary graduation is an important factor in applying to Brigham Young University, for example.