LDS Student Association (also known as the Latter-day Saint Student Association or the LDSSA) is an organization established under the direction of the
Seminaries and Institutes of Religion of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...
(LDS Church) to help students enrolled in post-secondary education to have a balanced secular and spiritual educational experience during their years of formal education.
The ''
Encyclopedia of Mormonism
The ''Encyclopedia of Mormonism'' is a semi-official English-language encyclopedia for topics relevant to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church, see also "Mormon"). The five-volume texts have been digitized and are availabl ...
'' states:
The purposes of LDSSA are to help college and university students stay closely affiliated with the Church, succeed in their studies, and achieve a balanced educational-social life while on campus; to motivate LDS students to become a powerful influence for good on the campus; to provide meaningful activities that are consistent with Church standards; and to coordinate Church-related activities for college students.
Each chapter of the LDSSA is affiliated with a post-secondary educational institution and the LDS Church. Membership is open to all students enrolled at the institution who espouse the purposes and standards of the LDSSA. Associate membership may be granted to non-students under special circumstances. Membership is not denied to anyone on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Some institute locations offer classes for students with learning disabilities or other special needs. Members must keep LDSSA standards at LDSSA-sponsored events, which are the standards of the LDS Church. These standards include, but are not limited to: no acts of sexual immorality, no alcohol consumption or tobacco usage, and no immodest attire.
History
The LDSSA was established in 1960, and today a chapter of the LDSSA exists in many locations where an
Institute of Religion
An Institute of Religion is a local organization that provides religious education for young adults (ages 18–30) who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Local institutes may function in church meetinghous ...
of the
Church Educational System
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, sec ...
has been established. The Institute of Religion Advisory Council, with counsel from the faculty advisor(s), provide advice/guidance to the LDSSA and its members. One of the first LDSSA chapters was organized at the
Logan Institute of Religion
The Logan Institute of Religion is the largest institute of religion in the world, and the oldest in Utah. This facility is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It is located in Logan, Utah, adjacent to the c ...
located adjacent to Utah State University.
LDSSA chapters at some schools (for example,
Harvard College
Harvard College is the undergraduate college of Harvard University, an Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, Harvard College is the original school of Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher lea ...
) are not formally and directly governed by the LDS Church, as a result of official school requirements mandating the "local autonomy" of recognized campus organizations.
However, they still interact with the local Institutes of Religion and church organization structure in ways similar to those of other LDSSA chapters. One key difference is that such LDSSA chapters hold elections for their president and other board officers, rather than those officers being nominated by the Institute of Religion Advisory Council.
Two key figures in establishing the LDSSA were
W. Rolfe Kerr
William Rolfe Kerr (born June 29, 1935) is an emeritus general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He served previously as the fifteenth Commissioner of Church Education and as president of the Logan Utah ...
and
Elaine A. Cannon.
See also
*
Single adult (LDS Church) Single adult is a term used in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to describe any unmarried person age 18 or older. A more specific term of 'young single adult' (YSA) describes singles ages 18–30.
Single adult
Single adu ...
*
College religious organizations
Religious departments in higher education
Faith based services provide access to activities, events and counselling that allow students to pursue spiritual growth and development. Many campuses offer multi-faith spaces, ministering to those who ...
References
External links
Institute finder find an Institute of Religion and a local chapter of the LDSSA
Church Educational System
Student societies in the United States
Young people and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Christian organizations established in 1960
Student organizations established in 1960
Student religious organizations in the United States
Organizational subdivisions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1960 establishments in Utah
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