100-years-of-institute
Young adults attend an Institute of Religion class from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah.2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.
By Rachel Sterzer Gibson, Church News
In 2023, Brookelyn Harvey was hanging out with friends when one of them invited her to attend institute, the Church’s religious education program for young adults ages 18 to 35.
As a student at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Harvey was enrolled in religion classes — which are required credits at Church-owned schools — and hadn’t attended many institute-sponsored classes or events.
But as she and her friend walked to campus, her friend showed her a video from the Prophet at the time, President Russell M. Nelson, where he issued a special invitation to all young adults throughout The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to regularly attend and participate in institute.
In the video, President Nelson promised many special blessings, including a sense of belonging, increased faith in Jesus Christ and guidance from the Holy Ghost.
“My life has never been the same since, but in an amazing way,” Harvey told the Church News of hearing the Prophet’s invitation.
When she moved to Logan, Utah, to start her master’s program at Utah State University, Harvey immediately enrolled in institute classes. Today, she serves on the outreach team of the Institute Student Council, which helps coordinate activities that invite young adults to draw closer to Christ.
“I’ve experienced the blessings promised by President Nelson in that video,” Harvey said, listing the blessings of deepened conversion to Jesus Christ, feeling more of Heavenly Father’s love, meeting inspiring instructors and faithful friends, a sense of belonging and more joy.
Oaks Institute
In a video shared during a Young Adult Worldwide Devotional on Sunday, February 1, 2026, President Dallin H. Oaks invites young adults to attend institute. Photo is a screenshot from YouTube, courtesy of Church News. All rights reserved.President Oaks’ Invitation and Promise
Now, a new bevy of similar special blessings have been promised by President Dallin H. Oaks for the next cohort of young adults of the Church.
In the Sunday, February 1, devotional broadcast, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Jennifer, introduced a short video where President Oaks spoke directly to young people.
“One of the greatest opportunities to learn, gather and lift others is found at institute,” said President Oaks.
He added that those who attend institute consistently will be able to:
- Learn to distinguish truth from error,
- Build their relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ,
- Find direction and discover answers to life’s questions,
- Meet others to help them along the covenant path,
- Meet people to date and marry, and
- Prepare to love and lead like the Savior.
The Prophet then encouraged young adults to invite their friends to enjoy these same blessings.
“My dear young adults, in a day of noise and confusion, I invite you to consistently attend institute. I also encourage you to invite friends to share in these same blessings. I promise that your time in institute will bring the Savior’s peace, joy and divine love,” President Oaks declared.
Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.
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