Life Skills
Feeling Lost? Find Direction at Institute
As you face important decisions in your life, I encourage you to come to institute and find direction.
As the director of one of the Institute of Religion locations in southern Arizona, USA, I am constantly on the lookout for young adults who want to learn more about the gospel. Whether you are in school, working, just home from a mission, or getting married—we want you to feel belonging, relevance, and conversion to Jesus Christ in these dedicated buildings!
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1932–2017) once called the young adult years “the Decade of Decision.”
Boy, does that sometimes feel like an understatement!
Making big decisions is part of being a young adult. You may face questions like these:
“Should I keep dating this person?”
“Do I really want to major in this field?”
“How many more times will I wash the dishes for my roommates before I say something I’ll regret?”
Standing in holy places—like church, the temple, or institute—can help provide you with the clarity you need to make the right choices in your life. President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Making … decisions may seem overwhelming or even frightening at times. … May I invite you to do something that will help you in a way few other things can. Attend institute.”
Something for Everyone
As I’ve worked with students, I’ve realized that many of them are not aware of all that institute has to offer.
Last semester I met a wonderful young man who was not attending college. He came to institute as often as he could. One day he looked up from reading and asked, “Is there a way I can get credit for these classes?” When we asked him why he thought he might not get credit, he explained that he was not in school.
This made me wonder if enough people know about our institute of religion programs. Is the word out? Do young adults know there is no prerequisite of college attendance, Church activity, experience, or even belief to enter these doors and be welcomed? Do they know 18 is not too young and 30 is not too old to participate? Do they know married couples are encouraged to attend?
Because institute is a safe place to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. And there’s truly something for everyone at institute.
Small and Simple
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, taught that although efforts such as institute attendance “may seem to be small and simple, over time they result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth. This occurs because each of these small and simple things invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Testifier who enlightens us and guides us into truth.”
So, if you are looking for more answers about the gospel, go to institute!
If you recently returned home from a mission, see what an institute class can do for you.
If your Church experience has worked wonders for you, come help us share the gospel at institute.
One of my students, Skyller Lopez, said that institute has greatly impacted her college experience: “Institute has been such a safe haven for me. I have met some of my closest friends and mentors who all collectively share such a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ! Everybody is so kind and caring, no matter who you are. My institute classes have shown me how Christ’s love can manifest itself even in the chaos of college.”
Conversion, Love, and Belonging
President Russell M. Nelson released a video encouraging young adults to take full advantage of institute. He promised that institute “will help you to deepen your conversion to Jesus Christ,” “help you to feel more of Heavenly Father’s great love,” and offer you “a feeling of belonging.”
I have witnessed this promise of deep conversion to Jesus Christ, feeling more of Heavenly Father’s love, and a sense of belonging come true for young adults at institute time and time again.
And I invite you to join us.