Church Educational System

{{Short description|Educational system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}} {{Infobox university | name = Church Educational System | image_name = Church Educational System logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert | image_size = 200px | motto = | established = 1877 | type = Elementary, secondary, and higher education | endowment = | administrative_staff = | faculty = {{circa}} 50,000 | president = | provost = | student_body_president = | student_body_vice_president = | principal = | rector = | chancellor = | vice_chancellor = | dean = | head_label = Commissioner | head = [[James R. Rasband]]<ref>As verified [https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/03/11/elder-james-rasband-new-church-commissioner-of-education/ here].</ref> | students = {{circa}} 700,000 | undergrad = | postgrad = | doctoral = | profess = | city = Worldwide | state = | country = | campus = 3 universities; 1 college; 1 all-online certificate and degree program; 15 elementary and secondary schools; 8,039 seminary and institute programs | free_label = Headquarters | free = [[Temple Square]], [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]] | colors = | colours = | mascot = | nickname = | religious_affiliation = [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] | footnotes = | website = {{URL|https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church-education|Church Education}} | address = | telephone = | coor = | logo = }}

The '''Church Educational System''' ('''CES''') of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) consists of several institutions that provide religious and secular education for both Latter-day Saint and non–Latter-day Saint [[Elementary education|elementary]], [[Secondary education|secondary]], and [[Post-secondary education|post-secondary]] students and [[adult learners]]. Over 1 million individuals were enrolled in CES programs in over 180 countries with over 150,000 higher education students worldwide in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2023 |title=The Growth and Momentum of the Church Educational System |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/growth-momentum-church-educational-system |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org}}</ref> CES has grown significantly since 2011, when it had approximately 700,000 students,<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Seminary |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/si/seminary |access-date=November 18, 2015 |publisher=LDS Church}}</ref> largely through increased international participation and expansion of [[BYU–Pathway Worldwide]] (BYU–PW) and [[Seminary (LDS Church)|Seminaries]] and [[Institute of Religion|Institutes of Religion]] programs. CES courses of study are separate and distinct from religious instruction provided through [[Ward (LDS Church)|wards]] (local congregations). [[James R. Rasband]], a [[general authority]], has been the CES Commissioner since April 1, 2026.<ref>As verified [https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/03/11/elder-james-rasband-new-church-commissioner-of-education/ here].</ref>

==Background== The University of Deseret was established in 1850 to supervise other public schools in the territory. Public taxation instituted in 1851 supported these schools, which were organized by LDS Church wards, with their teacher employed by the local [[Bishop (Latter Day Saints)|bishop]]. These early public schools often used church meetinghouses as their schoolroom.<ref name=E2014/>{{rp|11}} While [[Utah Territory|Utah's colonization]] was started by members of the LDS Church, twenty percent of the territory's residents were not [[Latter-day Saints]] by 1880. This minority wished for a state government that was filled less by church members, including public schools that were independent of the LDS Church.<ref name=E2014>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/0046760X.2013.844276| issn = 0046-760X| volume = 43| issue = 1| pages = 3–30| last1 = Esplin| first1 = Scott C.| last2 = Randall| first2 = E. Vance| title = Living in two worlds: the development and transition of Mormon education in American society| journal = History of Education| date = 2014| s2cid = 144486602}}</ref>{{rp|8–9}} Non-Latter-day Saint schools petitioned for and received federal aid, and the first Protestant missionary school opened in Salt Lake City in 1867.<ref name=E2014/>{{rp|13}} From 1869 to 1890, there were 90 non-Latter-day Saint schools from other Christian denominations. Over half of their students were LDS Church members.<ref name=E2014/>{{rp|14}}

The [[Edmunds–Tucker Act|Edmunds–Tucker Act of 1887]] prohibited use of "sectarian" or religious books in the classroom and changed the district superintendent position to one that was appointed instead of elected. The Free School Act of 1890 established that public schools would be "free from sectarian control." This legislation separated the LDS Church from the public schools.<ref name=E2014/>{{rp|18–19}} Wilford Woodruff disliked the new public schools, calling them a "great evil," and created the academies system and an after-school program of religious classes for children.<ref name=E2014/>{{rp|20–22}} The first Church Board of Education was formed in 1888 to supervise the academies. The board consisted of Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon, Karl G. Maeser, Horace S. Eldredge, Willard Young, George W. Thatcher, Anthon H. Lund, and Amos Howe.<ref name=Bystudy>{{Cite book| publisher = The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints| isbn = 978-1-4651-1878-3| title = By Study and Also By Faith: One Hundred Years of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion| date = 2015}}</ref>{{rp|19–20}} Thirty academies were formed between 1888 and 1895, but many families could not afford the tuition of the private academies. A few academies became junior colleges and trained teachers, and some continued as private Church-sponsored high schools.<ref name=E2014/>{{rp|20–22}} Most academies closed within the decade due to the [[Depression (economics)|depressions]] of [[Panic of 1893|1893]] and [[Panic of 1896|1896]]. Some of the stronger academies persisted before being dissolved during church education cutbacks in the 1920s.<ref name=esplin2010>{{cite book | author=Scott C. Esplin | chapter=Wilford Woodruff: A Founding Father of the Mormon Academies | title=Banner of the Gospel: Wilford Woodruff | year=2010 | publisher=[[Religious Studies Center]] | chapter-url=http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/banner-gospel-wilford-woodruff/6-wilford-woodruff-founding-father-mormon-academies | access-date=2015-03-24}}</ref> Release-time seminary classes started in 1912 at Granite High School in Salt Lake City, and grew to serve 26,000 students by 1930.<ref name=E2014/>{{rp|20–22}}

==Seminaries and Institutes of Religion== In 2014, the Seminaries and Institutes programs served over 744,000 students in seminaries and institutes in 137 countries.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|398–399}}

===Seminaries=== In the LDS Church, the word ''[[seminary]]'' refers to [[religious education]] programs designed for secondary students. These are programs of religious education for youth aged 14–18 that accompany the students' secular education. In areas with large concentrations of Latter-day Saints, such as in and around the [[Mormon Corridor]] in the United States, instruction is offered on a [[released time]] basis during the normal school day in meetinghouses, or facilities built specifically for seminary programs, adjacent to [[Public school (government funded)|public schools]]. Released-time seminary classes are generally taught by full-time employees. In areas with smaller LDS populations ''early-morning'' or ''home-study'' seminary programs are offered. Early-morning seminary classes are held daily before the normal school day in private homes or in meetinghouses and are taught by volunteer teachers. Home-study seminary classes are offered where geographic dispersion of students is so great that it is not feasible to meet on a daily basis. Home-study seminary students study daily, but meet only once a week as a class. Home-study classes are usually held in connection with weekly youth fellowship activities on a weekday evening.<ref name=lds>{{cite web |title=Seminary is a Global, Four-Year Religious Educational Program for Youth |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/topic/seminary |website=Mormon Newsroom |language=en |date=12 April 2013}}</ref>

The seminary program provides extensive study of theology, using as texts the church's "[[standard works]]" ([[Old Testament]], [[New Testament]], [[Book of Mormon]] and [[Doctrine and Covenants]]) throughout the school week, in addition to normal Sunday classes. The four courses are taught, one per year, on a rotating basis.<ref name=lds/> Historically, seminary students were encouraged to study each scriptural text on their own time and to memorize a total of 100 scriptural passages or "scriptural mastery" verses during their participation in the four-year program. In 2016, the focus turned from scripture mastery to doctrinal mastery.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Prescott |first1=Marianne Holman |title=Seminaries to Implement New Doctrinal Mastery Initiative |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/seminaries-to-implement-new-doctrinal-mastery-initiative?lang=eng |website=[[Church News]] |publisher=LDS Church }}</ref> For many years, the curriculum has followed the standard school year for most seminary students. However, in March 2019, the LDS Church announced that the curriculum would be changed to align with the home-centered, church-supported curriculum changes announced in the church's October 2018 general conference.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stauffer |first1=Mckenzie |title=LDS Church to change seminary curriculum, schedule in Jan. 2020 |url=https://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-to-change-seminary-curriculum-schedule-in-jan-2020 |website=kutv.com |date=22 March 2019 |publisher=KUTV |access-date=27 March 2019}}</ref>

===Institutes of Religion=== {{Main|Institute of Religion}} Students who enroll in [[post-secondary education]] and young adults ages 18–35 receive religious education through [[institute of religion|institutes of religion]].<ref name=institute/> CES Institutes served over 350,000 students worldwide in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=LDS Institute: Education is Strongly Emphasizes by Mormon Leaders |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/background-information/institutes-of-religion |website=Mormon Newsroom |language=en}}</ref> Many colleges throughout the United States either have institute buildings or active programs near their campuses. Sometimes classes occur in ward buildings, office buildings, or private homes. Teachers can be either volunteers or paid employees.<ref name=institute>{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions—Institute |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/si/institute/about/faq?lang=eng |website=ChurchofJesusChrist.org}}</ref>

The first Institute of Religion was established in [[Idaho Panhandle|northern]] Idaho at [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]], adjacent to the [[University of Idaho]]. Currently the largest enrollment is at [[Utah State University]] in [[Logan, Utah]]. The largest enrollment outside the state of Utah is at [[Idaho State University]] in [[Pocatello, Idaho]].{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

==Elementary and secondary schools== CES institutions provide [[primary education|elementary]] and secondary schools in [[Mexico]] and in the [[Pacific Islands]]. Church schools expanded while [[David O. McKay]] was president of the LDS Church, with new schools opening in New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, and other Pacific islands. The schools relied on volunteers.<ref name="Chile">{{cite journal |last1=Griffiths |first1=Casey Paul |last2=Esplin |first2=Scott C. |title="Colegias Chilenes de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias": The History of Latter-day Saint Schools in Chile |journal=Journal of Mormon History |date=2014 |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=97–134 |doi=10.2307/24243873 |jstor=24243873 }}</ref>{{rp|99}}

===Mexico=== In 1886, the Mexican state of [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]] housed an outpost for Latter-day Saints fleeing anti-polygamy laws in the US.<ref name=Mexico>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1080/00220620.2014.940859| volume = 46| issue = 4| pages = 387–404| last1 = Esplin| first1 = Scott C.| last2 = Randall| first2 = E. Vance| last3 = Griffiths| first3 = Casey P.| last4 = Morgan| first4 = Barbara E.| title = Isolationism, exceptionalism, and acculturation: the internationalisation of Mormon education in Mexico| journal = Journal of Educational Administration and History| date = 2014-10-02| s2cid = 143692137}}</ref>{{rp|389}} In an attempt to escape persecution, more than three hundred Latter-day Saints settled in nine different communities in Chihuahua and Sonora.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|390}} The [[Academia Juárez]] was opened in 1887.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|389}}

The Juárez Stake Academy was first established in September 1897 with 291 students. Located within the church's [[Colonia Juárez, Chihuahua|Colonia Juárez]] in Chihuahua, the school was similar to academies in the Utah territory and provided English-language instruction intended for "an Anglo population."<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|391}} The school was not closed when other academies were closed in the 1920s and 1930s, likely because public school education in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution was inadequate.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|392}} Settlers from Utah Territory remained isolated and aloof from native Mexicans, celebrating American holidays and teaching in English.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|393}} Moises de la Pena, a Mexican academic, declared that the school was an "illegal privilege" in 1950.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|394–395}} The school is still in operation, with 418 students as of the 2012–2013 school year, and approximately 80% of the students are members of the church. The school now utilizes a unique dual-language program beginning in kindergarten and continuing through high school.

The internationalization of the LDS Church in the 1950s and 1960s corresponded with an increase in native Mexican membership. Scholarships for these members to Juárez Academy encouraged its diversification. Additionally, the Church expanded its educational program. It ran elementary schools in various places in Mexico and opened a high school in Mexico City, Centro Escolar [[Benemerito De Las Americas]], in 1964.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|395}} The curriculum changed in accordance with Mexican law, with off-campus religious instruction. Campus culture changed as schools celebrated Mexican holidays and included Mexican culture in its curriculum.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|396}} In 1967, Hispanic students made up 50% of the student body.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|397}} Benemerito De Las Americas closed in 2013 when the campus was converted into a [[Missionary Training Center]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Joseph |title=Missionary surge prompts LDS Church to open new MTC in Mexico |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865571822/Missionary-surge-prompts-LDS-Church-to-open-new-MTC-in-Mexico.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202183902/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865571822/Missionary-surge-prompts-LDS-Church-to-open-new-MTC-in-Mexico.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2013 |work=DeseretNews.com |date=30 January 2013 |language=en}}</ref> As of 2014, 400 students attended Juárez Academy. Most students are Latin American, and about seventy-five percent are LDS.<ref name=Mexico/>{{rp|389}}

===Pacific Islands=== Initially, schools in the Pacific Islands were run by missionaries and directed by mission presidents. The Pacific Board of Education was organized in June 1957 to oversee the schools in the Pacific Islands.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Hartshorn |first=Leon Roundy|date=1965 |title=Mormon Education in the Bold Years |type=Dissertation|pages=186–187}}</ref> Wendell B. Mendenhall was the first chairman of the board, with Owen J. Cook as executive secretary. The Pacific Board of Education approved faculty, wrote policies, and defined budgets. Each school in Pacific Islands has its own president/principal and administrative board.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Tyler |first=V. Lynn |date=1964 |title=The Religious Education Program of the Pacific Board of Education |type=Thesis|url=https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5181/ |access-date=16 December 2019|pages=7–8}}</ref> The schools under the Pacific Board of Education were transferred to the Church Board of Education in 1964. In the 1970s, under the leadership of [[Neal A. Maxwell]], church schools in the Pacific started to hire administrators from local members, in contrast to the previously American administrators.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Woodger |first1=Mary Jane |title=David O. McKay's Educational Model for Mormon Schools in the Pacific, 1906–1940 |journal=International Journal of Education and Social Science |date=March 2019 |volume=6 |issue=3 |page=31 |url=http://ijessnet.com/uploades/volumes/1598706876.pdf}}</ref>

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * [[Moroni High School]] ([[Kiribati]]) * Church Primary School Fiji ([[Fiji]]) * Church College Fiji ([[Fiji]]) * Church College Pesega ([[Samoa]]) * Church College Vaiola ([[Samoa]]) * Sauniatu Primary School ([[Samoa]]) * Vaiola Primary School ([[Samoa]]) * Pesega Middle School ([[Samoa]]) * [[Liahona High School]] ([[Tonga]]) * Saineha High School ([[Tonga]]) * [[Liahona High School|Liahona Middle School]] ([[Tonga]]) * E'Ua Middle School ([[Tonga]]) * Havelu Middle School ([[Tonga]]) * Koulo Middle School ([[Tonga]]) * Pakilau Middle School ([[Tonga]]) {{div col end}}

===South America=== Schools established in Chile in the 1960s; at its largest, church schools had 3,000 students across eight elementary schools and one secondary school. The schools closed in the 1980s.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|97–98}} Church-sponsored elementary schools opened in Lima in 1966. Over the next five years, elementary schools opened in La Paz, Bolivia and Asuncion, Paraguay.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|116}}

====Chile==== {{See also|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile}} Shortly after the first mission was organized in Chile in 1961,<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|102}} Dale Harding became the superintendent of two elementary schools in La Cisterna and Vina del Mar, which were opened in March 1964.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|103; 106}} Rather than use the traditional lecture-exam format, teachers varied their teaching methods to include group work and in-service training.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|111–112}} After the first year, all the children passed their government-administered end-of-year exams, with many performing very well.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|110–111}} In 1967, Lyle J. Loosle became the new superintendent. Under his leadership, volunteers supported new elementary schools in Nunoa and Talcahuano.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|114–115}}

In 1970, the Church Board of Education approved the purchase of a Catholic school near Santiago.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|117}} Later that year, [[Salvador Allende]], a Marxist, was elected as president, and Church members were uncertain about the future of the LDS Church and Church schools.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|118}} The minister of education requested using a church building for another session of schooling.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|120}} In response, Loosle increased enrollment to ensure that the schools were always operating at full capacity. Kindergartens operated in LDS chapels in Arica, Inquique, and La Calera to keep them from being used by the government for other purposes.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|121}} After Allende was overthrown, the kindergartens closed.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|129}}

In 1972, Jorge Rojas, the new superintendent from Mexico,<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|123}} dismissed two non-member teachers and made other reforms. Other teachers formed a union to protest new policies. Loosle was asked to return as superintendent after Church headquarters reassigned Rojas to a school in Mexico. Loosle dismissed teachers' union leaders when they refused to resign.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|124}} The union leaders demanded reinstatement.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|125}} Loosle asked teachers to repent of their unionization; some union members left the school, while others left the union. Loosle rehired some of the union leaders.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|125}} In 1973, Beningno Pantoja Arratia became the new superintendent, and he made several reforms, including requiring ecclesiastical interviews.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|129}} In 1970, Neal A. Maxwell became the Church Commissioner of Education, a new position overseeing Church schools, seminaries, and institutes.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|129}} A 1971 policy from Maxwell stated that non-religious education should only be provided by the Church when "other educational systems are nonexistent, seriously deficient or inaccessible to our members."<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|130}} Chilean church schools started to close in 1977, with the Church's growth and adequate public schools given as reasons for closure.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|130}} By 1981, Church schools had completely closed in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay.<ref name="Chile"/>{{rp|131}}

===Academies today=== [[File:Oneida Stake Academy Preston Idaho.jpeg|thumb|right|Oneida Stake Academy, Preston, Idaho]] Some of academies remain historical landmarks, such as the [[Oneida Stake Academy]] and the [[Big Horn Academy]]. The [[Juarez Academy]] in Colonia Juarez, Mexico, is still operated as a secondary school by the LDS Church today.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

A few church academies eventually evolved into colleges or universities. These include:

* [[Brigham Young University|Brigham Young Academy]] (founded 1875), now [[Brigham Young University]] (BYU)<ref>BYA became BYU in 1903.</ref> * [[LDS Business College|Salt Lake Stake Academy]] (founded 1886), spawning Ensign College (extant) and [[McCune School of Music]] (closed 1957)<ref>Salt Lake Academy would become LDS College (1889), LDS University (1901), LDS College (1927), and LDS Business College (1931).</ref><ref name=YoungU/> * [[Brigham Young University–Idaho|Bannock Stake Academy]] (founded 1888), now Brigham Young University–Idaho<ref>Bannock Stake Academy would become Fremont Stake Academy (1898), Ricks Academy (1903), Ricks Normal College (1918), Ricks College (1923), and BYU–Idaho (2001).</ref> * [[Snow College|Sanpete Stake Academy]] (founded 1888), now [[Snow College]]<ref>Sanpete Stake Academy became Snow Academy (1900), Snow Normal College (1917), Snow Junior College (1922), and Snow College (1923). The state of Utah took ownership of the school in 1931.</ref> * [[Weber State University|Weber Stake Academy]] (founded 1889), now [[Weber State University]]<ref>Weber Stake Academy became Weber Academy (1902), Weber Normal College (1918), Weber College (1922), Weber State College (1962), and Weber State University (1991). The state of Utah took ownership of the school in 1933.</ref> * [[Eastern Arizona College|St. Joseph Stake Academy]] (founded 1888), now [[Eastern Arizona College]]<ref>St. Joseph Academy would become LDS Academy (1898), Gila Academy (1911), Gila Normal College (1920), Gila Junior College (1923), Gila Junior College of Graham County (1933), Eastern Arizona Junior College (1950), Eastern Arizona College (1966). The state of Arizona took ownership of the school in 1933. See: *{{cite book | author=Harold R. Laycock | chapter=Academies | title=Encyclopedia of Mormonism | year=1992 | publisher=Macmillan | chapter-url=http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Academies | access-date=2015-03-24| title-link=Encyclopedia of Mormonism }} *{{cite web | title=Brief EAC History | work=Fact Book | publisher=[[Eastern Arizona College]] | url=http://www.eac.edu/About_EAC/Get_to_Know_Us/Fact_Book/History_and_Profile/History.shtm | access-date=2015-03-24}}</ref> * [[Academy Building (St. George, Utah)#St. George Stake/Dixie Academy|St. George Stake Academy]] (founded 1911), now [[Utah Tech University]].<ref>St. George Stake Academy became Dixie Normal College (1916), Dixie Junior College (1923), Dixie College (1970), Dixie State College of Utah (2000), Dixie State University (2013), and Utah Tech University (2022). The state of Utah took ownership of the school in 1935.</ref>

The LDS Church also established formal colleges and universities: * [[University of Nauvoo]] was a community resource for academic learning established by the Nauvoo charter. * [[University of Utah|University of Deseret]] (1850), now the [[University of Utah]]<ref>The University of Utah was founded as a state (or territorial) school, but this was directed and performed by church leaders under the auspices of the [[State of Deseret]], months before [[Utah Territory]] had been created. The LDS Church also gave substantial support to save the school during the late 1800s. See Quinn 1973.</ref> * [[Brigham Young College]] in [[Logan, Utah]] (1877–1926) * [[Church University (Salt Lake City)|The Church University]] (1892–1894), also called Young University<ref name=YoungU>{{cite journal | author=D. Michael Quinn | title=The Brief Career of Young University at Salt Lake City | date=Winter 1973 | journal=[[Utah Historical Quarterly]] | volume=41 | issue=1 | pages=70, 76, 78, 82, 86–87 | url=http://utahhistory.sdlhost.com/#/item/000000031000474/view/71 | access-date=2015-03-24 | author-link=D. Michael Quinn | archive-date=2012-12-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231133939/http://utahhistory.sdlhost.com/#/item/000000031000474/view/71 | url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Church College of Hawaii]] (1955), now [[BYU–Hawaii]]

In the mid-20th century, the church established secondary schools outside of the United States to provide education where it was not fully available. These include:

* [[Church College of New Zealand]] (1958–2009)<ref>The Church College of New Zealand was a secondary school: in New Zealand and throughout Oceania, "colleges" are secondary schools.</ref> * [[Benemerito De Las Americas]] (1964–2013) (Mexico City) — On January 29, 2013, the LDS Church announced the school would be closed and converted into a [[Missionary Training Center]] (MTC) at the end of the 2012–13 school year. The new MTC opened in June 2013.<ref>{{citation |url= http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865571822/Missionary-surge-prompts-LDS-Church-to-open-new-MTC-in-Mexico.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130202183902/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865571822/Missionary-surge-prompts-LDS-Church-to-open-new-MTC-in-Mexico.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= February 2, 2013 |title= Missionary surge prompts LDS Church to open new MTC in Mexico |first= Joseph |last= Walker |date= January 30, 2013 |newspaper= [[Deseret News]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/mexico-mtc-opens-train-hundreds-missionaries|title=Mexico MTC Opens to Train Hundreds of Missionaries|date=26 June 2013}}</ref>

==Higher education== Institutions of higher education run by the church include BYU, BYU–Idaho, BYU–Hawaii, and [[Ensign College]], along with a higher education organization, BYU–PW.

===Satellite campuses=== *[[BYU Salt Lake Center]], [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]] *[[BYU Jerusalem Center]], [[Jerusalem|Jerusalem, Israel]] *[[BYU Barlow Center]], [[Washington, D.C.]] *[[BYU London Study Abroad Centre|BYU London Centre]], [[London, England]]

==General administration==

===Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees=== {| class=wikitable |- | Boards of Trustees/Education<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church-education/about/ces-administration?lang=eng This link] verifies the current board membership.</ref> |[[Dallin H. Oaks]] [[Henry B. Eyring]] [[D. Todd Christofferson]] [[Dale G. Renlund]]* [[Gerrit W. Gong]]* [[Michael T. Ringwood]]* David P. Homer [[W. Christopher Waddell]] [[Camille N. Johnson]]* [[Emily Belle Freeman]] Timothy L. Farnes R. Kelly Haws, Secretary |}

NOTE: Individuals with an asterisk (*) by their names serve as members of the board's executive committee. The senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the board, currently Renlund, serves as the chairman of the executive committee.

===Office of the Commissioner of Church Education=== {| class=wikitable |- |- | Commissioner, Church Educational System | [[James R. Rasband]]<ref>As verified [https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/03/11/elder-james-rasband-new-church-commissioner-of-education/ here].</ref> |- | Assistant to the Commissioner and Secretary to the Boards | R. Kelly Haws |- | Sr. Director, Budgets and Administration, Church Educational System | Michael J. Christensen |- | Sr. Director, Planning, Research, and Strategic Initiatives, Church Educational System | Nathan K. Lindsay |- | Director, Communications, Media, and Events, Church Educational System | Susan M. Hunter |- |}

===Presidents / Administrator of individual CES units=== {| class=wikitable |- ! President / Administrator ! CES Unit ! Location |- | [[C. Shane Reese]] | [[Brigham Young University]] | [[Provo, Utah]] |-x | [[John S. K. Kauwe III]]<ref>As of 22 December 2025, and verified [https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2025/12/23/byu-hawaii-president-kauwe-temporary-leave-cancer-kelly-haws-acting-president/ here], while Kauwe undergoes cancer treatment, R. Kelly Haws is BYU-Hawaii's acting president.</ref> | [[Brigham Young University–Hawaii]] | [[Laie, Hawaii]] |- | [[Alvin F. Meredith III]]<ref>See [https://www.byui.edu/newsroom/5-16-23-new-byu-idaho-president this article] and [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-alvin-meredith-iii-18th-president-byu-idaho this article] for confirmation of Meredith's assignment</ref> | [[Brigham Young University–Idaho]] | [[Rexburg, Idaho]] |- | Brian K. Ashton | [[BYU–Pathway Worldwide]] | [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]] |- | Bruce C. Kusch | [[Ensign College]] | [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]] |- | Chad H Webb | Seminaries and Institutes of Religion | [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]] |}

===Chronology of the Commissioner of Church Education=== The office of Church Commissioner of Education was suspended in 1989, when trustees decided to deal directly with individual administrators. The position was reinstated in 1992.<ref name=Bergera>{{Cite journal|last=Bergera|first=Gary James|date=1996|title=Ernest L. Wilkinson and the Office of Church Commissioner of Education|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23287419|journal=Journal of Mormon History|volume=22|issue=1|pages=137–173|jstor=23287419 |issn=0094-7342}}</ref>{{Rp|p=173}}

{| class=wikitable |- ! No. ! Dates ! Individual ! Title |- | 1 | 1888–1901 | [[Karl G. Maeser]] | Superintendent of Church Schools |- | 2 | 1901–05 | [[Joseph M. Tanner]] | Superintendent of Church Schools |- | 3 | 1905–20 | [[Horace H. Cummings]] | Commissioner of Church Schools |- | 4 | 1920–21 | [[David O. McKay]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 5 | 1921–24 | [[John A. Widtsoe]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 6 | 1928–33 | [[Joseph F. Merrill]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 7 | 1934–36 | [[John A. Widtsoe]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 8 | 1936–53 | [[Franklin L. West]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 9 | 1953–64 | [[Ernest L. Wilkinson]] | Administrator–Chancellor of the Unified Church School System |- | 10 | 1964–1970 | [[Harvey L. Taylor]] | Administrator of the Unified Church School System<ref>{{citation | last1 = Bergera | first1 = Gary James | last2 = Priddis | first2 = Ronald | chapter = Chapter 1: Growth & Development | chapter-url = http://signaturebookslibrary.org/?p=13862 | title = Brigham Young University: A House of Faith | year = 1985 | publisher = [[Signature Books]] | location = Salt Lake City | isbn = 0-941214-34-6 | oclc = 12963965 | url = http://signaturebookslibrary.org/?p=13842 }}</ref><ref name=Bergera/> |- | 11 | 1970–76 | [[Neal A. Maxwell]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 12 | 1976–80 | [[Jeffrey R. Holland]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 13 | 1980–86 | [[Henry B. Eyring]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 14 | 1986–89 | [[J. Elliot Cameron]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 15 | 1992–2004 | Henry B. Eyring | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 16 | 2005–08 | [[W. Rolfe Kerr]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 17 | 2008–15 | Paul V. Johnson | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 18 | 2015–19<ref>Clark's term ended August 1, 2019.</ref> | [[Kim B. Clark]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 19 | 2019–21 | Paul V. Johnson | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 20 | 2021–26 | [[Clark Gilbert|Clark G. Gilbert]] | Commissioner of Church Education |- | 21 | 2026– | [[James R. Rasband]]<ref>As verified [https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/03/11/elder-james-rasband-new-church-commissioner-of-education/ here].</ref> | Commissioner of Church Education |}

==See also== {{Portal|Latter Day Saint movement|Education}} *[[Church Educational System Honor Code]] *[[Education in Zion Gallery]] *[[LDS Student Association]]

==References== ===Citations=== {{Reflist}}

===Sources=== *[[Leonard J. Arrington|Arrington, Leonard J.]] (Summer 1967). "The Founding of the L.D.S. Institutes of Religion<ref>{{cite web | title=J. Willard Marriott Digital Library | url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/u/?%2Fdialogue%2C4863 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614020313/http://content.lib.utah.edu/u/?%2Fdialogue%2C4863 | archive-date=14 June 2011 }}</ref>." ''[[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought]]'' '''2''', 137–47. *Berrett, William E. (1988). ''A Miracle in Weekday Religious Education: A History of the Church Educational System''. Salt Lake City, UT: Salt Lake Printing Center. *{{cite book |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5597 |contribution= Church Educational System (CES) |author-link= William E. Berrett |first= William E. |last= Berrett |pages= 274–276 |editor-last= Ludlow |editor-first= Daniel H |editor-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |year= 1992 |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }} *Church Educational System (2005). ''Church Educational System Annual Information Update''. Salt Lake City, UT: [[Intellectual Reserve, Inc.]]

==Further reading== *{{cite book |last= Bell |first= Terrel H. |author-link= Terrel Bell |contribution= Education: Educational Attainment |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5697 |pages= 446–447 |editor-last= Ludlow |editor-first= Daniel H |editor-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |year= 1992 |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }} *{{cite book |last= Gardner |first= David P. |author-link= David P. Gardner |contribution= Education: Attitudes Toward Education |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5697 |pages= 441–446 |editor-last= Ludlow |editor-first= Daniel H |editor-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |year= 1992 |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}

==External links== {{Commons category|Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}} * [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/si/seminary Seminary Official site] * [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/si/institute Institute of Religion Official site] * [https://ce.byu.edu/home BYU Continuing Education]

'''Histories''' *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060507061800/http://www.lds.org.hk/english/local_church_history/local_church_html/local_history_11.htm Hong Kong and Taiwan] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060129103937/http://www.byuh.edu/about/history.php Laie, Hawaii] *[http://www.byui.edu/PR/General/BYUIHistory.htm Rexburg, Idaho] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725111134/http://www2.byui.edu/PR/General/BYUIHistory.htm |date=2016-07-25 }}

[[Category:Church Educational System| ]] [[Category:Religious organizations established in 1877]] [[Category:1877 establishments in Utah Territory]]