In a small apartment in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Elena Evanova and Olga Tolomyeva began teaching 21 students who gathered last fall for the Church's first organized institute class in Siberia.

With a population of about 1 million people, Krasnoyarsk is located in the center of Siberia -- about 14 hours by train from Novosibirsk, headquarters of the mission which includes Krasnoyarsk.Sisters Evanova and Tolomyeva, new members of one of the three branches in the city, accepted the assignment to work with the young single adults -- even though they had never heard of the Church's educational programs and it would mean an hour bus ride each way for both of them to teach the class.

As a result of their efforts, however, two young men attending institute in Krasnoyarsk were baptized in October, one couple was married who met in the class and two other students are planning to be married.

Even more impressive are the sacrifices the teachers and their students are making to participate the religion class.

Elder Arthur Woffinden, who with his wife, Carolyn, is serving as a Church Educational System missionary in Siberia, noted that some teachers and students in the country make huge financial sacrifices just to pay the equivalent of a 15-cent bus fare to attend class. "We continue to be humbled and amazed by the willingness and desire of these good Russian saints to do all they can even though they have little in the way of worldly goods.

"The Russian economy is suffering some major problems," explained Elder Woffinden. "Because there is no money flow, many, many people have not been paid for six months or longer. . . . Most people just continue to go to work and hope they will be paid. They know that if they do not continue to go to work they will never be paid."

Bryan Weston, CES zone administrator for the Church's Europe East Area, called the young adults in Krasnoyarsk a good example of the enthusiasm and excitement exemplified by young people across Eastern Europe.

In the wake of economic hardships crippling many of the countries, young Church members are finding peace and hope in the gospel's teachings, he said.

Brother Weston, who has traveled throughout Eastern Europe participating with young people in seminary and institute programs, spoke of a visit last March to St. Petersburg, Russia. The young adults asked if they could hold a fireside during Brother Weston's visit, despite cold and rainy conditions.

The evening of the fireside the metro station closest to the building where the meeting was held was closed, so the young people had to walk quite a distance.

However, more than 300 people attended. "They were happy," said Brother Weston. "Some had wet hair but they were happy to be there. They just carry on with the work."

Brother Weston noted that seminary and institute in this part of the world are more important than ever -- because the largest portion of converts in the area are teenagers and young adults who may be the only members in their family. Through seminary and institute they find the support they need to live the gospel and anxiously share it with others, he said.

This year seminary and institute programs not only began in Krasnoyarsk, but also in Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg and Odessa, Russia and in Moldova, Romania. Programs have also grown in other areas across Russia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Armenia, Belarus, and Lithuania.

Following are brief experiences shared by some of the Church's CES missionaries assigned to work in countries in the Church's Europe East Area.

Elder Alan and Sister Patricia Dudley are assigned to work in the Rostov Na Donu Mission in southern Russia, Georgia, Azerbajani and Armenia. They noted that economic crisis has brought difficulty for the saints in these countries, but explained that the Church's young people in the area have a good attitude.

They wrote of Lena, a 16-year-old Laurel who was one of the first students they met in Rostov, Russia. Because she was fluent in English, she was able to serve as a translator and help the teacher get the first seminary class started. She also served as seminary class president.

"Her father received employment in Egypt that necessitated her family to move there," said Elder Dudley. "In a recent letter to her teacher, Lena reported her diligent home study where she asks herself the questions in the [seminary] lessons and answers her own questions."

Serving in Poland, Elder Allan and Sister Ann Nelson have been inspired by the conversion stories of the youth -- many of whom did not join the Church until they turned 18. "After being baptized, many were not allowed to come home again; some had all finances cut off; some gave up friendships, jobs and on and on. But their testimonies are so sweet and strong and they say that the Church is now their family."

Elder and Sister Nelson said that almost all of the young people they work with are well educated or are currently pursuing an education. "They must work very hard to go to school and to be involved with Church assignments and activities as well," Elder Nelson said. "They are the cream of the crop here in Poland."

Stefka Koleva, a seminary teacher in Sofia, Bulgaria, is the wife of the branch president and also serves as Relief Society president, reported Elder Don and Sister Sara-Beth Mathis. Sister Koleva's students meet every Saturday in rented rooms. There they attend English classes, taught by missionaries, and then seminary which meets in the afternoon.

Elder Mathis reported that on an average Saturday the seminary class participates in a devotional and then a lesson. After the lesson, Sister Koleva offers her students a piece of fruit, something they relish as it may be the only food they will have that day, explained Elder Mathis. "These same students attend Church on Sunday, and often stay for the afternoon session of meetings in another branch."

The rented rooms used for seminary and Church have no heat, even when temperatures outside dip below freezing, he explained. "They come in spite of the cold, so they can feel the warmth of the gospel message."

In the Czech and Slovak Republics, Elder LuDene and Sister Geraldine Snow report there are currently 21 seminary and institute classes throughout the two countries. There, young adults are finding blessings, not only as they learn the gospel, but also as they are able to socialize with one another.

"These [social] activities are most important to the youth," said Elder and Sister Snow. "They can socialize . . . friends are made and sweethearts are found. One such couple, institute students, were sealed in the Freiberg Germany Temple last summer. A young woman was recently baptized, married and now waiting to go the temple to be sealed. Two faithful students left this year for missions in England.

"At least half of our teachers are institute graduates who have filled missions and have returned to their native countries ready to give back something to the Church through the education program."

In St. Petersburg, Russia, seminary and institute students have also been involved in social activities, visiting the Hermitage Museum and doing service on the grounds of the Summer Garden of Peter the Great.

Most of the seminary and institute classes in St. Petersburg are held in the teachers' apartments, usually no bigger than two small rooms. "In one of our larger seminary classes 12 students and the teacher sit shoulder to shoulder on the couches and arms of the couches and on available stools and chairs brought in for the occasion," said Elder Mark H. Redd, who is serving with his wife, Sister Vera Lee Redd. "The teacher has no blackboard to assist her and no room to move about herself or have the students participate in any physical activity, but the Spirit is always very strong and the students are always alert and involved."

From Ukraine, Elder Thomas and Sister Patricia Cottle report that after seminary and institute classes were established in the area in October 1997, they have witnessed many "historic firsts."

"One of the most exciting events occurred last November when the Odessas District and CES rented an apartment to be used by the Church seven days a week. "This is the very first facility of which we have total control," said Elder Cottle. "We have our own key. No more waiting outside in cold weather for a building to be opened. No more having to leave at a time deadline. . . . Having a place for our young people to hold their activities . . . is truly wonderful."

Elder Boyd and Sister Dale Lake work as CES missionaries in the cities of Chelyabinsk, Ufa, Perm and Yekaterinburg, Russia. Despite obstacles, which include extremely cold temperatures, transportation problems and wintertime darkness, Elder and Sister Lake report that seminary and institute are thriving in the area. "The attitude of the Saints is incredible," said Elder Lake. "[The students] have found a home for their feeling of love for their fellow men."