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Show John S. Hulet were sustained as counselors. Bishop Cannon then spoke and gave counsel on building a new meetinghouse.20 Joseph Parrish served until 7 February 1932 as bishop of the Peterson Ward at which time he was released, having served as bishop of the Mountain Green Ward and Peterson Ward for a total of twenty-three years.2! During President Randall's administration nineteen bishops were called and two branch presidents. Building Program In the Stake The first seminary in the Church was started in 1912 at Granite High School. The program was instituted by the leaders of the Church to supplement the secular education that high school age youth were receiving in the public schools. The new program quickly proved to be a success and soon spread to other areas in Utah?2 During the high council meeting held 24 May 1925 part of the discussion centered around trying to establish a seminary in connection with the high school. A month later a committee was appointed to meet with the Church Board of Education concerning a Seminary in Morgan. The committee was asked to recommend DeLore Nichols, a member of the high council, to serve as teacher. The committee was also to take steps to finance a new seminary building. In July President Randall announced to the high council that the stake had received approval of Elder Adam S. Bennion, superintendent of Church Schools, to have a seminary in the stake. Elder Bennion had even gone so tar as to help select a site for the seminary building. The building site was purchased from Charles Stuart, which was a lot adjoining the Morgan High school property. President Randall explained that Brother Nichols's application to be the teacher would be considered another year because Everett Mecham had already been signed as the teacher. James A Anderson, Edward H. Anderson, Jr., Herbert B. Crouch, Gilbert Francis, and Alma R. Bertoch were chosen as a committee to raise funds for the seminary building.23 Released time seminary commenced on 14 September 1925 with 65 students attending class in what became known as the Junior Sunday School chapel in the stake tabernacle. Two classes of New Testament and two classes of Old Testament were taught the first year. The second year Church history was added to the curriculum, and 126 students were enrolled in the seminary program of the stake. By taking two classes of seminary in oneyear, ten students were able to complete the three courses required and graduate in the spring of 1927 from seminary. Everett Mecham was the teacher for four years and was then succeeded by C. Calvin Geary, who taught for eighteen years, from 1929 to 1947.24 The building was started 15 June 1926, and by 1 November 1926 classes were moved from the tabernacle to the seminary building. Five years passed before the building was completely paid for and dedicated.25 |