Yates was a member of the LDS Church's Granite Stake. The stake decided to construct a building next to Granite High School so students could be let out of school for a religious education class during the school day. Under this system, students could attend a public high school and receive religious training at the same time. This was the beginning of the church's released-time seminary program, and was implemented in 1911, with Yates was chosen by Joseph F. Merrill to be the first released-time seminary teacher.