Reader comments
Institute impact — Program is prominent part of student life at U.

Joseph L. Lyon | 4:51 p.m. Jan. 17, 2008

My father, T. Edgar Lyon, was the second faculty member at the Institute after Lowell Bennion. He started teaching there in 1938 and retired in 1974. If you are interested you can read about the early years of the Institute his biography by his son Thomas E. Lyon, Jr. I still remember the wartime "Polygamy Parties" he and Lowell organized to compensate for the lack of eligible young men.

UTE in Utah County | 5:29 p.m. Jan. 17, 2008

I went to the U. and thoroughly enjoyed the activities at the Institute. It made my college experience very, very rewarding. I would recommend it to anyone.

By the way, I was accepted at BYU and Utah and chose to attend the U. It was awesome!! You get the experience that you choose to get out of it. There are plenty of very cool things going on up there.

UB40 | 3:43 p.m. Jan. 18, 2008

just a question. I'm 32, and divorced. is there an age cut off like in past and in some cases, present??

Comments continue below

Breedem Young | 4:45 p.m. Jan. 18, 2008

Polygamy parties??? Count me IN!!!!

LEJEUNE YOUNG DECKER | 8:46 p.m. Jan. 18, 2008

I would love to purchace that book by T.Edgar Lyon as I was one of the first group of girls chosen to start what turned out to be Lambda Delta Sigma, only in that first year we simply referred to or group as ,"That Group." I certainly don't remember any snacks in bowls to help us feel at home, and we shared the University Ward Building.I vividly remember my first sight of Bro. Lyon as he entered the building with his little sons in lederhausen. He had recently returned from serving in the Netherlands.It was 1938. I don't know about the numbers at The Institute but 4 years laterr it was quite an accomplishment to have 4,ooo registered students at the "U".

Prila Strif | 10:12 p.m. Jan. 18, 2008

I have taken religion classes at both BYU and the U of U Institute. Nothing against BYU religion but I have found (and many of my friends agree) that the teaching and learning experience (and the spirit that is felt) is far superior at the U of U. Do not misunderstand me, I love the Y, but sometimes there is an "air" of academic arrogance that permeates some of the religion classes there at the Y. Often the classes at the Y are thik with factoids and minutia while being thin on the "weightier matters" such as spiritually edifying, uplifting, and convincing instruction from the scriptures. The Y religion expereince has given me interesting gospel facts but the U of U has done that and changed my spiritual life in the process. Sorry if this sounds negative towards the Y - it is what it is.

Ted Lyon | 6:14 a.m. Jan. 19, 2008

Yes, I'm biased - my father was T. Edgar Lyon (and I wrote his biography, especailly emphasizing his Institute years). Yet on a pesonal level, the Institute filled a spiritual/personal/social need that I did not receive anywhere else on campus. Keep it alive. Ted Lyon

Peter B | 9:57 a.m. Jan. 21, 2008

It's true. You do get out of it what you put into it. I would give what I gave all over again (and maybe more). Personally, I don't think I missed out at all by not attending BYU, because of Institute.

Institute class lessons/discussions provided some of the most timely and applicable lessons for me personally. A great quote by Elder Perry:

ï¿½There must needs be an order to our learning, the same order indicated by the Savior's teaching: ï¿½But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto youï¿½ (Matthew 6:33)ï¿½ (Enter to Learnï¿½Go Forth to Serve [CES fireside for young adults, Mar. 5, 1995], 3).

Thanks to the Church for providing this great program.

Rachael S | 9:20 a.m. May 26, 2008

Yes. There is an age cut off generally. I believe it's 30? It's the same as a singles ward, however, you can still attend institute if you are married but not after 30.

tema tunu | 4:29 p.m. Sept. 29, 2008

i have been waiting for a chance like this to show others what i have learned from this book.

byna | 5:12 p.m. Sept. 29, 2008

this is my first time to attend the institute and it's kind of developing myself to a better standard and i wish that i will use that developing in my life throughout the whole days of my life...

the institute is a very cool one for all of the youth to attend in. they are having plenty of beautiful programs which it can be used by the youth in their daily lives..

Narcy kantenga warega | 1:09 a.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Attending the institut program is a very special time in which I feel being in the presence of God receiving instructions from him . It is an haven of peace and an occasion of pondering correctly the scriptures in order to strengthen our faith.The institut is the most important environment where one can have a better experience on the spirual matters. We feel inspired while attending the institut program. To get the Eternal life we need to know God and his son Jesus Christ by practising all different laws found in Jesus teachings through the Prophets and other servants. The glory of God is the intelligence. Let us attend the institut program to focus our attention on things that will lead us to a perfect life. At the resurrection time the knowledge that we possess now by the fact of attending institut will escort us during the life to come.I testify that this program of institut of religion is the work of the Heavenly Father and that we have a responsibility of those who are around us looking at what we are doing as member or non member of the lds church.

olga | 11:55 p.m. Oct. 21, 2008

ive been a member for more than fifteen years and one of the best thing that has ever happened to me was attendig institute cause u get to learn more about the gospel and understand some of the things u never got to ask when u are attending sunday school classes cause the time is limited.Iam really happy to be a member of this church.

chris | 12:02 p.m. Dec. 18, 2008

Attending institute class, especially for a recent convert like me has been one of the best things to happen in my life! I feel spiritually nourished and strengthened. The institute teachers were amazingly talented..oh, believe me you, they know their stuff! They are inspired servants of God and I'm really grateful for their sacrifice & the unparalleled zeal to teach.

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3 photos

Keith Johnson, Deseret News

A group of four takes a ride down an inflatable slide during the Rush Week carnival last week in a cultural hall at the Salt Lake University Institute building.

Gallery (3 photos)