Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference.
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Young adults around the world are gathering in record numbers to learn of Jesus Christ, build friendships and find belonging as Institutes of Religion, an education program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, celebrates its centennial in 2026.
For 100 years, institute has helped young adults deepen their conversion to Jesus Christ, discover their divine identity, and find a community of friends centered on the Savior. What began in 1926 with a single building near the University of Idaho in Moscow has grown into a worldwide program with more than 2,700 locations in over 170 countries.
This milestone will be highlighted at the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults on February 1, 2026, originating from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Young adults will have the opportunity to participate in experiences on Temple Square following the devotional. Institute programs around the world will also gather to view the devotional and commemorate the centennial that evening or as the broadcast becomes available in their area.
A Century of Building Disciples
From its beginnings in the 1920s near the University of Idaho in Moscow — marked by the construction of a dedicated institute building and the appointment of J. Wyley Sessions to teach religion classes — institute gradually expanded as Church leaders recognized the importance of supporting young adults during pivotal seasons of faith and decision-making.
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Institute of Religion building in Moscow, Idaho.2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Download Photo
As the Church grew globally in the mid-20th century, institute strengthened its organization and expanded alongside it under the direction of Church Educational System leaders such as Neal A. Maxwell, Henry B. Eyring and Jeffrey R. Holland helping clarify curriculum, reinforce doctrinal focus and support consistent instruction worldwide.
In more recent decades, initiatives such as Innovate Institute, introduced in the mid-2010s, have helped modernize learning environments and teaching approaches, reinforcing institute’s enduring emphasis on meaningful scripture study, inspired teaching and devotion to Jesus Christ.
Young Adults Gathering in Record Numbers
In recent years, young adults have been gathering at institute in unprecedented numbers. Over the past two years, institute has added more than 100,000 students and now serves about 457,000 young adults worldwide — a 30% increase. They are also quite adept at inviting their friends, with more than 35,000 young adults of other faiths enrolled.
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Young adult women and men meet together in their instructor’s home in Argentina for an Institute of Religion class from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Download Photo
Together with seminary, the two programs are approaching a historic milestone of one million youth and young adults participating in religious education, representing one of the largest groups of religiously educated students in the world.
Be ONE in a Million
If the current trajectory holds, seminary and institute will have one million enrolled in the centennial year of institute. Institute leaders, teachers and students invite every young adult to “Be ONE in a Million” by joining their growing global community, centered on Jesus Christ, who gather near major universities, in local meetinghouses, and online across time zones and cultures.
Whether preparing for a mission, launching a career, newly married, or in any stage of life, young adults can find a place to belong, build friendships and strengthen their faith together.
There is room for everyone — those returning to activity, those exploring questions, those firm in their testimony, and those just beginning to learn about the Savior and His restored Gospel.
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Young adults stand in front of the new Institute of Religion in Logan, Utah. The new facility is located at 600 Darwin Avenue near the campus of Utah State University. 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Download Photo
Looking Ahead
Today’s institute is flexible, digital and welcoming. New courses, gathering spaces and resources — including updated scripture study tools and curriculum aligned with the Church’s annual “Come, Follow Me” curriculum— support Christ-centered, learner-focused, scripture-based learning around the world.
As Institutes of Religion enters its second century, the invitation remains the same as it was in that first classroom in Moscow: Come, gather with friends, learn of Jesus Christ, and experience the joy and purpose found in His gospel. Learn more at MyInstitute.
