July 7, 2025, 7am MDT
A few years ago, my wife Donna and I enjoyed a very special visit to the Holy Land. There, I followed in the footsteps of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
We visited traditional and historical Bible sites, and I gained a new perspective on the words of the New Testament that I read from a young age. I felt a special spirit when I visited Nazareth, Galilee, Jerusalem, and Gethsemane, where Jesus had walked.
But this was not the first time the Bible had come to life for me. This first happened in the seminary program of the Church of Jesus Christ for Latter-day Saints.
The seminary helped shape the direction of my life. In the late 1970s, I was the only active church member at my high school in Los Angeles, California. I had good friends, but I felt it wasn’t suitable for most of my classmates. I was not comfortable taking part in their parties or other activities. On top of that, I was a dedicated athlete and didn’t have much free time.
However, I spent some time attending seminary on weekday mornings. The seminary has had a bright start to the daily shelter and a daily basis.
In November 2023, in a message to young people, President Russell M. Nelson extended his personal invitation to attend seminary. He said, “What can help you as you face many great opportunities, important choices, and even the difficult challenges of your life? I encourage you to participate in seminary. Seminary can change the course of your life. It can really be done.”
President Nelson shared, “Seminary Schools help you learn to love and understand the Bible” and “How to use the Bible to solve problems in your life and help you find answers to your questions.”
I am forever grateful to instructors Larry Johnson, Justin Tolton and Janice Tate for bringing their lessons to life so that they can apply them directly to my life. I remember coming out of many lessons with the desire to be as bold as Moses. Run away from Joseph’s seduction. Be faithful like Peter and Nephi. To be a missionary like the sons of Paul, Alma and Mosha. Be brave like the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Most importantly, I wanted to be like Jesus Christ. Through the seminary, my love and gratitude for Jesus grew and I realized his infinite tone sin and what it means to me as I repent and try to improve.
Years later, I was grateful to have been called to be an early morning seminary teacher four years ago to call me to serve as mission leader with my wife. I wouldn’t have prepared me better to work with some amazing Australian elders and sisters. I love seminary.
During my trip to Israel, I had an unexpected and enjoyable reunion with Larry Johnson while attending the Sabath Service at the BYU Jerusalem Centre. I once again thanked my teacher for being his powerful influence and role model.
I am forever grateful to the Johnson brothers and many faithful and dedicated seminary instructors around the world. They bring the Bible back to life and urge the young people in the church to follow the covenant path and become disciples of Jesus Christ in life.
– Brother Peter G. Vidmer is a member of the Young Men General Advisory Council.
