Updated September 30, 2026
For the first time in its history, more young adults are enrolled in institute than youth are enrolled in seminary. Together, the two programs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently surpassed 1.1 million enrollments worldwide — a milestone that will be celebrated this month in Moscow, Idaho, where institute began 100 years ago.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Young adults close to Moscow, Idaho, are invited to gather September 25–27, 2026, for the United States West Area YSA Conference and a formal celebration of the Institutes of Religion program. The centennial observance will return institute to its birthplace near the University of Idaho, where the first building was established in 1926 under the direction of President Heber J. Grant.
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Elder Peter M. Johnson, General Authority Seventy, was the featured speaker during a devotional held in conjunction with the “100 Years of Institute” Young Single Adult Conference, held at the Moscow Idaho Institute of Religion building and the adjacent University of Idaho campus.
Before Saturday evening’s devotional, participants will be joined by community, university and other civic leaders for a tour of the historic Moscow Institute building. The gathering will connect the program’s first classroom with the worldwide community institute has become: More than 2,700 locations in over 170 countries, where young adults study the scriptures, build friendships and strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.
That thriving community is supporting young adults by preparing them for careers, families and community involvement. In August, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion reported that 85,695 friends of other faiths were enrolled in seminary and institute programs worldwide — evidence that these programs are becoming places where young adults from many backgrounds come to learn, belong and receive strength as they pursue their aspirations.
Earlier this year, Elder Patrick Kearon and his wife, Jennifer, helped ring in the centennial year with a global celebration as part of the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults.
For students, institute is more than a class.
That experience is central to institute’s future. As the program begins its second century, its vision is to help more young adults love and lead as the Savior did and become His lifelong disciples.
“As we commemorate this centennial milestone, we celebrate not only a historic achievement but also a continuing mission: to help young adults come unto Jesus Christ, deepen their conversion to Him and His restored gospel, and prepare for eternal life with their Father in Heaven,” said Robert Salmond, director of the Moscow institute.
“One of the greatest opportunities to learn, gather and lift others is found at institute,” said President Dallin H. Oaks. He has encouraged young adults to consistently attend institute and invite others to share in its blessings, including “the Savior’s peace, joy and divine love.”
The Moscow celebration will honor the past while pointing toward the future — a future in which every young adult can find a place to learn, gather, lift others and draw closer to Jesus Christ.
Institute’s centennial is also being celebrated online as current and former students post memories, photos and stories. Others are invited to join the celebration using #Institute100 and by following along at YA.Weekly on Instagram.
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Young adults attend a class at the Church-sponsored BYU–Pathway Worldwide Education Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, on Friday, October 31, 2025.2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.About Seminaries and Institutes of Religion
Seminaries and Institutes of Religion provide religious education for youth and young adults throughout the world. Seminary and institute classes help students study the scriptures, strengthen faith in Jesus Christ, build meaningful friendships and prepare to serve others. Classes are offered near schools and universities, in Church meetinghouses and homes, and online across cultures and time zones.
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