Church Educational System (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Especially for Youth is a program offered by CES Youth and Family Programs. Especially for Youth (EFY) is a well-known, carefully balanced program of classes and activities just for seminary-age youth. It provides a unique opportunity for youth to develop lasting friendships, grow spiritually, and gain self-confidence in a caring, trusting, and accepting setting. Activities at Especially for Youth have been designed according to the needs of specific age groups. Young men and young women ages 14-18 participate in classes, counselor workshops, devotionals, dances, recreational activities, a unique service opportunity, etc.

The Division of Continuing Education was designed in 1964 as a way to provide educational programs and services to adults who are unable to complete regular daytime study.

Adult Education and Extension Services was renamed in 1964 and became the Division of Continuing Education. The following individuals served as Dean of the Division of Continuing Education: Harold Glen Clark (1964-1973), Stanley A. Peterson (1973-1978), William R. Siddoway (1978-1986), Richard C. Eddy (1986-2009), and Wayne J. Lott (2009- ).

The Division of Continuing Education is designed to provide educational programs and services of the regular University day school to adults who do not have opportunities for daytime study. The division services range from off-campus programs, lectures, correspondence study, and community services-both through the off-campus centers and extended programs in wide geographic areas-to formal on-campus classroom offerings, both credit and noncredit, extended and short-term in nature.

Departments within the Division of Continuing Education include the Bachelor of General Studies, Religious Enrichment, EFY Programs, Conferences and Workships, Evening Classes, Independent Study, and the Salt Lake Center.

The Church Educational System provides various educational programs for students and adults within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The origins of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Church Educational System appear as early as 1833 with the founding of the School of the Prophets. The Church began to establish academies throughout the intermountain United States-even some in Canada and Mexico-in 1875 to provide both elementary and secondary secular and religious education. A General Church Board of Education consisting of selected Church leaders was organized in 1888 to facilitate these programs and the growth of the academies. There were periods of fluctuating attendance in the years that followed, but in 1907 the Church Board of Education was responsible for the administration of roughly thirty-five academies.

Beginning in 1926, the Church established institutes of religion adjacent to college campuses to aid in the religious training of students attending non-LDS colleges and universities. These programs spread with the success of seminaries and institutes.

CES consists of the various educational programs in the LDS church. Brigham Young University, BYU-Hawaii, BYU-Idaho, and the LDS business college provide higher education balanced with religious instruction for students. For adults not officially enrolled in these institutions, CES provides extensive adult and continuing education programs, based at BYU, to provide educational opportunities.