CES Devotionals Name and Schedule to Change in 2015
Contributed By Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer
A choir sings at the Church Educational System devotional November 2, 2014 inside the Ogden Tabernacle.
Article Highlights
- Beginning in January 2015, devotionals will be called Worldwide Devotionals for Young Adults.
- Only three devotionals are planned—in January, May, and September.
“We hope you will make every effort to attend each devotional and encourage others to attend with you so that you and they might have a chance to associate together, listen to council from our leaders and receive personal revelation and direction.” —Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy
Elder Paul V. Johnson announced a change to the CES devotional name and schedule and a change to religious curriculum at Church schools and institutes during the Church Educational System broadcast November 2.
“Beginning in January 2015, CES devotionals like this will be called ‘Worldwide Devotionals for Young Adults,’” said Elder Johnson, commissioner of education for the Church and a member of the Seventy.
More than just changing the name, next year’s schedule has only three devotionals planned—one each in January, May, and September.
“These changes are intended to highlight the importance of each broadcast and to ensure each young adult, wherever you are and whatever your circumstance, is invited to participate,” Elder Johnson said. “We hope you will make every effort to attend each devotional and encourage others to attend with you so that you and they might have a chance to associate together, listen to council from our leaders and receive personal revelation and direction.”
All young adults,married and single, as well as students finishing high school or the equivalent are invited and encouraged to attend.
According to the August 28, 2014, First Presidency letter that included the 2015 Broadcast Schedule, January devotionals will be held at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; at BYU–Idaho; or at BYU–Hawaii. May devotionals will be held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City or at other sites at Church headquarters. September devotionals will be held at other locations in the United States.
Elder Paul V. Johnson, commissioner of education for the Church and a member of the Seventy.
Within a few days after each devotional, the talks in text, audio, and video formats will be available in English on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the Gospel Library app, in a new Young Adult collection. Language versions will follow. Summaries of the talks will be included in the Liahona and Ensign, and a variety of text quotes, picture quotes (memes), and video highlights will also be published live and after the devotional through the Church’s social media channels, including the speaker’s specific social pages.
Speakers will continue to be chosen by the First Presidency from among the General Authorities and general officers of the Church, the letter stated.
The other announcement Elder Johnson made at the devotional affects institute students and students at Church-owned schools—Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and LDS Business College. Four new courses—“Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel,” “The Teachings and Doctrines of The Book of Mormon,” “Foundations of the Restoration,” and “The Eternal Family”—will be offered beginning fall of 2015.
“These new courses are intended to be cornerstones of your religious education experiences,” Elder Johnson said. “They are centered in the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets. With a focus on the Savior, His doctrine, and significant events in Church history.”
Although scripture courses and other religion classes currently being taught will still be available, the four new courses will be required of all incoming students. To learn more about the changes, visit education.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
