MADISON – A group of young people, including Madison youth and others as far away as Cullman, have completed classes during four years of classes and have graduated from the scripture study.

“On May 21, 13 local youth from the North Alabama area received graduation certificates for completing the four-year, focused scripture study,” spokesperson Tiffany M. Johnson said. “These individuals participated in a graduation ceremony and celebration on May 21 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 1297 Slaughter Road in Madison.”

“These students included teens from the cities of Athens, Cullman, Decatur and Madison,” Johnson said.

The seminary program, which is a part of the educational focus on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, includes eight terms that are equal to four years of classwork. The seminary classes coincide with the typical school year calendar.

Attending a seminary class includes participating in a scripture study that meets for 50 minutes on all seven days of the week. This study is outside of the students’ regular school hours.

“Most of these classes are held in the early morning hours before the typical school day starts. A few students will meet via Zoom if they are unable to travel for these early morning classes,” Johnson said.

“The books of scripture that are studied within the seminary classes include the New and Old Testaments of the Holy Bible, as well as the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Johnson said.

At this graduation ceremony, officials issued a total of 96 certificates of completion that were presented for all students in grades nine through 12 who completed the coursework required for this school year.

Nine of the 13 teenagers attended the graduation ceremony. These students included Addy Beck of East Limestone, Erika Byington of Athens, Breonna Capps of Athens, Audrey Hight of Decatur, Joseph Jimenez of Madison, Zack Mendenhall of Madison, Ryan Rasmussen of Madison, Ryan Robertson of Decatur and Heather Schnobrich of Athens.

Kuenn Drake serves as Stake President in Madison for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.