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Inaugural LDS seminary closes
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Joan D. | 7:40 a.m. June 5, 2009
The seminary first opened in 1912. Just three years shy of 100 years. I loved
the four years I spent there. Seminary was always my favorite class and my
favorite teacher was Mr. Mitchell (Whom I had for two of the four years
'58-'61).
Charles | 7:42 a.m. June 5, 2009
Dear Judy,
The article states it opened in 1912.
The article states it opened in 1912.
Comments continue below
Mary Moses Breinholt '80 | 9:16 a.m. June 5, 2009
I too loved my time at Granite High School and especially at the Granite High
Seminary. My favorite teacher was Brother Lee Donaldson. I will never forget
many of the lessons he taught from the Book of Mormon that year. Thanks Bro. D!
freethought | 11:21 a.m. June 5, 2009
When I was at Granite in the 70's,we would sneek past the seminary to smoke
cigarettes next door at "Tony's" hamburger place. Great memories
of a great school. Go it Granite, raise your banners high!
Anonymous | 11:45 a.m. June 5, 2009
I wish they could have included a picture of this place they're talking
about.
Anonymous | 11:51 a.m. June 5, 2009
Its amazing to think i didnt go to any church and some how i turned out alright
To anonymous | 12:22 p.m. June 5, 2009
Maybe yes. Maybe no. I say no due to your numerous remarks. The small
"a" was intentional.
Anonymous | 12:28 p.m. June 5, 2009
Of course you turned out alright. Attending church isn't about you. One
attends church to help others. What a selfish thought.
Frank G. | 12:34 p.m. June 5, 2009
Did you really turn out alright? How can we know for sure? Do we have to take
your word for it?
Dad | 7:33 p.m. June 5, 2009
If you have to point it out to everyone then you really didn't turn out
alright. It's only when others can look at you and realize it that it will
really mean anything.
Anonymous | 8:09 p.m. June 5, 2009
The church is certainly in decline.
concerned member | 8:21 p.m. June 5, 2009
Time to close down all the release time seminaries in UT, AZ, ID and WA and go
to an early morning seminary like the rest the the church world. There are
plenty of church buildings in Utah and many members to serve as volunteer
teachers. This would save the church tens of millions of dollars every year.
It is time for these students and parents to wake up early in the morning like
everyone else. The money saved could be used to support other church schools
and universities throughout the world, which are in much need of financial help.
Please note the recent closing of the Church College in New Zealand for lack of
funding...Doesn't seem right that we are closing schools and raising
fee's at other schools, so folks in Utah can sleep in....
Re: concerned member | 9:27 p.m. June 5, 2009
Jealous much?
Janice | 9:36 p.m. June 5, 2009
I took released time seminary in Raymond, Alberta, Canada over fifty years ago.
Utah isn't the only place for RTS.
AZ Granite graduate | 10:11 p.m. June 5, 2009
Dear concerned member: As a graduate of Granite High and Granite seminary and
now a mother in Arizona in a school district with released time I can tell you
that neither me nor my children have slept in much ... in order to attend
seminary and graduate my children have had to take "A" hours and
summer school. I also had "early morning seminary" three of the four
years I attended. I think any money spent by the church for excellent religious
education is money well spent.
Lisa | 11:52 p.m. June 5, 2009
AZ Granite graduate: I am also an AZ mom and totally agree with you. I have
four kids who are graduates of Mesa High Seminary. No sleeping in here between
A hour and summer school, but my kids would never have given up their released
time seminary. They have loved it. Indeed, money well spent. Strong,
confident, great kids = better world. Bro. Huso and Mesa High Seminary staff,
you are the best!
Coleen | 7:27 a.m. June 6, 2009
So where in the world is Granite High? Salt Lake? Provo? Just in case I want to
drive by the old building next time I'm in Utah. Oh,...is it in Utah?
Also... nice article for those in the loop.
Maureen | 10:20 a.m. June 6, 2009
I am here in Minnesota where my youngest had the early morning-before high
school seminary. These young people have to be some of the strongest spirits I
have ever had the privilege of knowing.
Still, I grew up in Idaho and was grateful for release time seminary. It made my day go better and kept things in perspective--something that is rare in high school!
It is sad to see Granite's seminary closing--it is the end of an era, to say the least. I hope that the LDS youth there make the commitment to get up for early morning seminary. The adversary really doesn't like strong youth!
Still, I grew up in Idaho and was grateful for release time seminary. It made my day go better and kept things in perspective--something that is rare in high school!
It is sad to see Granite's seminary closing--it is the end of an era, to say the least. I hope that the LDS youth there make the commitment to get up for early morning seminary. The adversary really doesn't like strong youth!
kay | 10:30 a.m. June 6, 2009
In Mesa AZ at Mountain View there are over 2000 kids going into that seminary
bldg. My daughter graduated from there. With all of the early morning things
going it would be hard to coordinate an early morning seminary time that would
work for everyone. It works just great as release time...
We are now in Iowa where there are early morning activities in school as well as farm chores. Early morning seminary here starts at 5:45 !! My kids love it.
(Granite is in SLC. This is a SLC newspaper. And the bldg is only 15 years old.)
We are now in Iowa where there are early morning activities in school as well as farm chores. Early morning seminary here starts at 5:45 !! My kids love it.
(Granite is in SLC. This is a SLC newspaper. And the bldg is only 15 years old.)
Gretel D | 11:13 a.m. June 6, 2009
Go it Granite!
Sorry to hear that Granite is closing. It is a great school. I loved the time I spent there, particularly as a District Seminary Officer my sophomore year. Bro. Walkenhorst was a fabulous teacher and a fine role model. I have used some of his stories that illustrated Gospel principles over and over through the years because they are so good.
I was never in the smoking group at Tony's and I never missed it. If you sign up for Seminary and you choose to spend that time smoking in your secret place, it says something about your integrity to me.
Also, released time Seminary is not an undue burden on the Church financial system when you consider the amount of Church support that comes from the Wasatch Front. Don't you think CES is in a better position to make the calls on their budget than the peanut gallery?
Sorry to hear that Granite is closing. It is a great school. I loved the time I spent there, particularly as a District Seminary Officer my sophomore year. Bro. Walkenhorst was a fabulous teacher and a fine role model. I have used some of his stories that illustrated Gospel principles over and over through the years because they are so good.
I was never in the smoking group at Tony's and I never missed it. If you sign up for Seminary and you choose to spend that time smoking in your secret place, it says something about your integrity to me.
Also, released time Seminary is not an undue burden on the Church financial system when you consider the amount of Church support that comes from the Wasatch Front. Don't you think CES is in a better position to make the calls on their budget than the peanut gallery?
Just wondering | 11:17 a.m. June 6, 2009
Is this Donald D. Davis teaching at the Seminary the same Mr. D. Davis who
taught 5th grade at Hillview Elementary in Granite School District?
Terri | 11:25 a.m. June 6, 2009
Concerned member - release time students have to sacrifice in another way. They
give up electives in high school to go to release time.
In places with a high concentration of LDS teens wanting to take seminary, classes would be too big to hold one early morning class.
In places with a high concentration of LDS teens wanting to take seminary, classes would be too big to hold one early morning class.
A Utah Mom | 9:55 p.m. June 6, 2009
To Concerned Member:
One problem of closing down seminaries in Utah and nearby states is the sheer numbers of students attending. When I attended high school there were well over 300 students each the 7 class periods through the day (we had 3,000+ students at my high school, so that's not an exaggeration), plus a few early morning classes. My kids' high schools were smaller, but their seminaries had at least 200 students attending each of the 8 periods. All of my kids did Early Morning Seminary at least once and they also did early morning activities other years (newspaper routes and sports such as swim team) as well, so there was no sleeping in at our house.
The Church is careful in how it uses its resources. It would be nice if the Church had enough money to fund everything, but it doesn't, so it does what it can to have the greatest impact. If enrollment drops, it's prudent to close a school down. In today's world there are many more opportunities available than there were when the Church College in New Zealand was started.
One problem of closing down seminaries in Utah and nearby states is the sheer numbers of students attending. When I attended high school there were well over 300 students each the 7 class periods through the day (we had 3,000+ students at my high school, so that's not an exaggeration), plus a few early morning classes. My kids' high schools were smaller, but their seminaries had at least 200 students attending each of the 8 periods. All of my kids did Early Morning Seminary at least once and they also did early morning activities other years (newspaper routes and sports such as swim team) as well, so there was no sleeping in at our house.
The Church is careful in how it uses its resources. It would be nice if the Church had enough money to fund everything, but it doesn't, so it does what it can to have the greatest impact. If enrollment drops, it's prudent to close a school down. In today's world there are many more opportunities available than there were when the Church College in New Zealand was started.
Velihall | 11:09 p.m. June 6, 2009
After I graduated from a small town HS near Boise, ID, release-time was added
when the new high school came in. It inspired another church, Methodist I
think, to start a similar program - inspired may be too strong, they fought the
"rts" on the grounds of preferential treatment. The school board,
none of whom were LDS invited them to do the same thing. The resulting benefit
was great! It would be wonderful to see more churches providing that
inspirational start to the day for their youth.
It sounds like this particular program was just getting too small enrollment-wise to support whatever was in place. Demographic changes will do that.
It sounds like this particular program was just getting too small enrollment-wise to support whatever was in place. Demographic changes will do that.
concerned member | 11:26 p.m. June 6, 2009
No jealousy here. Early morning is great. Join us.
Janice-Thanks, I'll add Canada to the list.
AZ Granite Grad and Lisa-Sounds like early morning would work better for you sisters. I agree that any money spent by the church for excellent religious education is money well spent. Church education cost per UT student is much higher than the rest of the world.
Gretel D.-"consider the amount of Church support that comes from the Wasatch Front."
I was under the impression that the Lord disburses financial resources based on need. not the amount collected geographically. California may have some to say about this...I'm sure you will be OK with CES disbursements when they cut release time seminary.
Terri and Utah Mom-Sounds like early morning seminary would be less sacrifice and then your child could take electives.
Early morning seminary is organized by stakes. Most stakes in the US have about the same amount of young people, members and buildings. Should be no problem.
In today's world there are more opportunities, including early morning seminary. Maybe we should consider the savings and opportunities it may create for others in the world.
Janice-Thanks, I'll add Canada to the list.
AZ Granite Grad and Lisa-Sounds like early morning would work better for you sisters. I agree that any money spent by the church for excellent religious education is money well spent. Church education cost per UT student is much higher than the rest of the world.
Gretel D.-"consider the amount of Church support that comes from the Wasatch Front."
I was under the impression that the Lord disburses financial resources based on need. not the amount collected geographically. California may have some to say about this...I'm sure you will be OK with CES disbursements when they cut release time seminary.
Terri and Utah Mom-Sounds like early morning seminary would be less sacrifice and then your child could take electives.
Early morning seminary is organized by stakes. Most stakes in the US have about the same amount of young people, members and buildings. Should be no problem.
In today's world there are more opportunities, including early morning seminary. Maybe we should consider the savings and opportunities it may create for others in the world.
Increased taxes anyone? | 12:36 p.m. June 8, 2009
Remember, if the LDS Church Education System were to cut Release-time Seminary,
these states or provinces would have to pay for extra teachers to cover this
time in the classroom. This would amount to a 1/7th or 1/8th increase in the
cost of educating each LDS student.
There is more to take into account when bringing up all of these arguments. The LDS Church is essentially giving back to the communities who allow released-time by paying for a portion of these student's high school education.
There is more to take into account when bringing up all of these arguments. The LDS Church is essentially giving back to the communities who allow released-time by paying for a portion of these student's high school education.
CA MOM | 1:44 p.m. June 8, 2009
Our kids do early 5:45 through 6:30 and times in between seminary and we
have a huge stake full of high schools to worry about not just one. But our
Stake Leaders are awesome and they figure it out. It benefits everyone and we
have the best Seminary teachers who give up their time to teach our youth
without being paid.
Sounds like cutting RTS isn't the worse thing that could happen? In Ca we
don't have a choice and we seem to be doing just fine. In fact, I think we are doing great! I have personally sent 5 children through seminary and they have all made it through just fine. Without such a program in place I would hate to think what our youth have to face each day with out it! Thank goodness for the Seminary program and all the Seminary Teachers!!
Sounds like cutting RTS isn't the worse thing that could happen? In Ca we
don't have a choice and we seem to be doing just fine. In fact, I think we are doing great! I have personally sent 5 children through seminary and they have all made it through just fine. Without such a program in place I would hate to think what our youth have to face each day with out it! Thank goodness for the Seminary program and all the Seminary Teachers!!
Connecticut Mom | 7:25 a.m. June 9, 2009
I lived in Salt Lake until I was 12 and would have attended Granite High School
if we had not moved to Connecticut. My father did attend Granite High School
and the seminary there. I didn't realize that it was the first seminary in
the church! What a legacy!
However, in Connecticut we have early morning seminary, and I agree with others that it is a great program. Besides graduating from Early Morning seminary myself, my three oldest children have also completed all 4 years of it, and it has been the best part of their day. We drive to the church building (20 minutes each way) for a 6:00 am class 5 days a week. Yes, it is a sacrifice, but it helps the kids realize what is really important in life. Amazingly, the kids do not have to be coerced into attending - they love it, especially the association with other LDS youth who have their same values.
I taught Early Morning seminary for 2 years before my kids were old enough to attend, and that was also a great experience. I'm sorry to see Granite close, but early morning seminary is a wonderful option.
However, in Connecticut we have early morning seminary, and I agree with others that it is a great program. Besides graduating from Early Morning seminary myself, my three oldest children have also completed all 4 years of it, and it has been the best part of their day. We drive to the church building (20 minutes each way) for a 6:00 am class 5 days a week. Yes, it is a sacrifice, but it helps the kids realize what is really important in life. Amazingly, the kids do not have to be coerced into attending - they love it, especially the association with other LDS youth who have their same values.
I taught Early Morning seminary for 2 years before my kids were old enough to attend, and that was also a great experience. I'm sorry to see Granite close, but early morning seminary is a wonderful option.
Jason | 7:53 a.m. June 9, 2009
The arguments against Released Time and for Early Morning are interesting and
somewhat persuassive. One significant fact that I have not yet seen mentioned
that is a MAJOR concern to the Church is completion rate. It is off-the-charts
lower in an EM setting compared to an RT setting. Sure the most faithful who
attend EM become even more faithful. But those who struggle generally do not
suddenly become faithful because they decided to wake for 5:45 seminary class.
This is a fact. Not an opinion.
-Early Morning | 8:15 a.m. June 9, 2009
Your non member attending or inactive attending early morning is much lower
also
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Donald D. Davis, principal and teacher at Granite LDS Seminary, teaches a class May 29.
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How old is the seminary?