SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 7 (UPI & Gephardt Daily) — Shorter church services and home-centered worship are a few changes announced Saturday to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the faith’s 188th Semiannual General Conference.
Beginning in January, worship services will shift from three to two hours. The change comes after a recent emphasis by church leaders to put a greater focus on the responsibility of parents to teach the gospel to their children.
“As Latter-day Saints, we have become accustomed to thinking of ‘church’ as something that happens in our meetinghouses, supported by what happens at home,” said Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for home-centered church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings.”
Nelson’s statement was followed by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who provided details of the forthcoming adjustments to a worldwide audience.
“The Sunday meeting schedule will be adjusted in the following ways, beginning in January 2019,” Elder Cook said. “The Sunday Church meetings will consist of a 60-minute sacrament meeting each Sunday, focused on the Savior, the ordinance of the sacrament, and spiritual messages. After time for transition to classes, Church members will attend a 50-minute class that will alternate each Sunday. Sunday School will be held on the first and third Sundays. Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women meetings will be held on the second and fourth Sundays. Meetings on the fifth Sunday will be under the direction of the bishop. Primary will be held each week during this same 50-minute period and will include singing time and classes.”
Further clarification of the new church policy was sent to General Authorities; General Auxiliary Presidencies; Area Seventies; Stake, Mission, and District Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents; Stake and Ward Councils Saturday in letter from members of the First Presidency.
Designed to be read during sacrament meetings, the letter, titled, ‘A New Balance between Gospel Instruction in the Home and in the Church’ was signed by church leaders Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring.
