By Janae Willardson
With the sun almost up, a teenager races to eat breakfast and finish getting ready to make it to seminary on time.
This scenario is a common one for thousands of youth across the U.S. who participate in early morning seminary each school day.
Jenny Robinson, 21, a senior from Bountiful, Davis County, majoring in elementary education, attended both early morning and release-time seminary during high school.
'Early morning seminary meant more to me because it was more of a sacrifice, but I feel like I learned more in release-time seminary,' she said.
Robinson had the opportunity to attend early morning seminary in Las Vegas, Nev., and release-time seminary when her family moved to Bountiful.
'It was a definite change from attending seminary in the morning and then having it be a part of my school day,' she said. 'Going to release time was different because I felt there wasn''t a separation between church and school.'
Robinson said the amount she learned in both early morning and release time depended on her attitude.
'When I compare the two, I personally got the most out of release time because I felt it was more structured and I learned a lot more than in early morning,' she said.
Other students had a different seminary experience.
'Early morning seminary taught me to make certain sacrifices for the church,' said Paul Sheets, a sophomore from Canyon Country Calif., majoring in accounting.
Sheets said he remembers attending early morning seminary and trying to learn as much as he could because he felt it was important, no matter the time of day.
'Early morning seminary started the day off right and I definitely felt a difference in my school day when I wouldn''t go,' he said.
Sheets said he agreed with Robinson that what you gain from both early morning and release time depends on your attitude and your teacher.
'Teachers definitely add to the seminary experience,' he said.
Marilyn Garns, of Newhall Calif., taught early morning seminary and has respect for students who make seminary a part of their day.
'As a teacher, you find that the kids that actually do attend early morning are very dedicated and committed to the gospel because it''s not convenient,' Garns said.
Garns said that seminary instills the discipline and gospel principles in the youth that prepare them to go out into the world and meet the world''s demands.
'Early morning seminary takes discipline because it is not a part of their day and therefore they have a higher commitment level to the gospel,' she said.
Mike Bell, 22, a junior from Orem majoring in Near Eastern studies, said he felt a difference in the days he attended release time seminary and the days he did not.
'Release time was convenient and I liked having a spiritual break in my school day,' Bell said.
Robinson said that both early morning and release-time seminary provide a spiritual aspect in a students'' day, and both require a good attitude.