By Rita Jamison
Los Altos High students start day with a dose of religious teachings
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7)
Why would a student, heavily involved with academic studies, sports and other extracurricular activities in high school struggle out of bed five days a week to attend a religion class at 6 a.m.?
Five Los Altos High School students readily answered that question. One sings in two choirs; another works on the school paper and several are on the swim or water polo teams.
The classes are held at the Latter-day Saint chapel (LDS) on Grant Road in Los Altos. Here, they take four alternating one-year courses in the Old Testament, New Testament, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants/Church History.
“I have a better day and can focus more easily on my work when I attend seminary,” said sophomore Diana Hawkes.
Cindy Meakin, who now has her driver’s license, gets up about 5:40 a.m., drives to seminary, then goes back home for breakfast. She attends not only because her parents expect it, but also because it gives her a spiritual boost and helps her get through the day.
“I like being with good people. There’s a nice atmosphere, even at six a.m.,” Meakin said.
It’s not really enough just to go to church on Sunday,” said Alex Wheatley, 15. “I expect to learn a lot of new things about church history this year.”
Junior Heidi Beckstead feels it starts her day out right. “Through reading the scriptures, I become better educated in the religion I believe in.”
Doug Hansen, a senior this year, expresses enthusiasm for the program, “It’s good for body, mind and spirit.”
Typically, 55 percent of eligible LDS youth in this area enroll in the church’s early morning Seminary program. Classes draw students, not only from Los Altos High School, but from Mountain View, Homestead, and Fremont high schools and Pinewood School.
Instructors are local members called to the teaching assignments. This 2002-2003 school year, Don and Sarah Huff, are team teaching with Lisa Fahey, Cindy Hansen and Jesleyn Rumble.
Seminaries are administered by the Office of Religious Education of the LDS Church. Dale Mouritsen, a professional educational administrator since 1966, presides over the day-to-day operation of the program. His many responsibilities include supervision of the Church’s Institute program which serves post secondary students, ages 18 through 30.
Early-morning Seminaries were established throughout California and other western states between 1950 and 1970 to supplement secular education. Students graduate when they complete all four courses and are living according to the moral teachings of the Church.
When the Seminary program became international in the fall of 1970, course materials were translated into 16 languages. Today, Seminary and Institute programs operate in more than 132 countries and territories. In 2000, they were offered for the first time in Mozambique. Programs in other countries ( including Albania, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, Togo and Zambia), began in the late 1990s. From 200 to 2002, the program reached more than 380,000 students worldwide.
The purpose of the LDS Church’s educational system is to teach youth the Scriptures by precept and example, and thus to encourage assist and protect them as they strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in times and cultures that sometimes present difficult challenges.
