JOHN DAY – Today’s teens have enough to do as they wade through studies and extra-curricular activities at school, chores at home and sometimes part-time jobs. And yet, a group of Grant Union High School students gather Monday through Thursday at 6:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to study Scripture with their seminary teacher, Jake Pilling.

Most of the students bid their pillows goodbye around 5:30 a.m., but not junior Stephaine Randall of Mt. Vernon. She exercises before hitting the ten-mile stretch of road to the church, so she rises at 4:30 a.m.

“It’s a good way to start out your day,” said sophomore Shaylee Joslin, also of Mt. Vernon. “It reminds you of what your morals and values are so it’s easier to stand up and do what’s right.”

“You have a full day learning about English and math and Spanish,” Pilling said. “It gives students the opportunity to give that same level of attention to the scriptures.”

Their routine at seminary begins with a hymn and an opening prayer followed by a spiritual thought given by one of the students. The lesson is taught by Pilling – it’s a volunteer position – and the meeting is closed with prayer.

Working their way through the Old Testament this year, the students were learning about Gideon in the Book of Judges on Jan. 30.

“With only 300 men, and the Lord’s help, of course, Gideon destroyed the Midianites,” said senior Jacob Lallatin.

The students and Pilling try to relate the Scriptures to their daily lives. When they studied about the Israelites, sophomore Morgan Cleaver said they learned about repentance.

“The Lord will help us if we follow Him,” is another theme sophomore Audrey Lallatin is learning from the class.

Students say they know the main stories of the Old Testament already – David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lion’s Den – but now they are learning other stories they’re not as familiar with and details about the ones they know.

The four-year program is for ninth- through 12th-grade students. In other years, the focus is on the New Testament, the “Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ” and church history. Pilling said that other students who want to join seminary are welcome.

Before the end of class, students shared their thoughts about their church president, Gordon B. Hinckley, who passed away Jan. 27, at the age of 97.

Two of the girls said, “I love President Hinckley.”

“He was so optimistic,” said Audrey. Her brother Jacob recalled Hinckley saying that the youths in the church are the best generation ever.

Shaylee’s favorite quote from the beloved leader is, “You can be wise and happy or stupid and miserable.”

“President Hinckley had the foresight to see how the world is changing,” said Pilling. “We’re going to miss him.”