In 2023, Brooklyn Harvey was hanging out with friends when one of them invited him to attend the Institute, a church religious education program for young people between the ages of 18 and 35.
As a student at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Harvey enrolled in religion classes, which are required for credit at church-owned schools, and did not often attend classes or events sponsored by the institute.
But as she and a friend headed to campus, her friend showed her a video of then-prophet President Russell M. Nelson. In that video, all young adults throughout The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were specifically invited to attend and participate in the institute on a regular basis.
In the video, President Nelson promised many special blessings, including a sense of belonging, increased faith in Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“My life hasn’t been the same since then, but in an amazing way,” Harvey told Church News about hearing the prophet’s invitation.
When Harvey moved to Logan, Utah to begin his master’s degree at Utah State University, he immediately enrolled in classes at the Institute. She currently serves as part of the Institute Student Council’s outreach team, helping coordinate activities that encourage young adults to draw closer to Christ.
“I experienced the blessings that President Nelson promised in that video,” Harvey said, listing blessings such as a deepening conversion to Jesus Christ, a greater sense of Heavenly Father’s love, encounters with inspirational leaders and faithful friends, a sense of belonging, and greater joy.
Now, President Dallin H. Oaks has renewed his promise of similar special blessings to the next generation of young people in the Church.
During a devotional broadcast on Sunday, February 1, Elder Patrick Keylon and his wife, Sister Jennifer Keylon, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, introduced a short video of President Oaks speaking directly to young people.
“Dear young adults, I encourage you to continue attending the Institute,” President Oaks said.
President Oaks called the Institute “one of the greatest opportunities to learn, come together, and uplift others,” adding, “We live in a time where noise and disruption are commonplace.”
However, he added that those who continue to attend the Institute will be able to:
Learn to distinguish between truth and error, develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, find direction and answers in your life, meet others to help you walk 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.
President Oaks declared, “I promise that your time at the Institute will bring you the peace and joy of the Savior and the love of God.”
A historic year for the Institute
Sunday’s devotion and prophetic invitation come as the church’s Institute of Religion program celebrates its 100th anniversary and record growth.
What started as a small class of 25 students in a small town in Idaho in 1926 has grown to more than 2,700 locations in more than 170 countries.
“Something wonderful is happening among young adults,” said Brother Chad H. Webb, superintendent of seminaries and institutes of religion and Sunday School general president, as he presided over Sunday’s worldwide event.
Over the past two years, the institute has increased enrollment by more than 100,000 students, the Webb brothers reported. The Church education system, which includes both seminaries and institutes, is rapidly approaching 1 million youth and young adults enrolling in classes for the first time in its history.
“Every one of you attending the Institute this year will literally be one in a million,” Brother Webb told the audience Sunday night. “This is an important part of a historic year known and numbered by our Heavenly Father.”
Brother Webb, who spoke about the seminary and institute’s growth in an interview last year, said the increase was due to a variety of factors, including personal invitations from prophets.
“The Lord is truly blessing His children and hastening His work,” Brother Webb said, adding that it is “awesome” to see youth and young adults respond to prophetic invitations.
