As Latter-day Saints we have become accustomed to thinking of church as
something that happens in our meeting houses supported by what happens at home.
We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for home-centered Church. This
morning we will announce a new balance and connection between gospel
instruction in the home and in the church. We are each responsible for our
individual spiritual growth and scriptures make it clear that parents
have the primary responsibility to teach the doctrine to their children. It is the
responsibility of the Church to assist each member in that divinely appointed
role of increasing his or her gospel knowledge. Elder Quentin L. Cook will now
explain these important adjustments. The Sunday meeting schedule will be adjusted
in the following ways beginning in January 2019. 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. With respect to the Sunday meeting schedule, the senior leaders of
the Church have been aware for many years that for some of our precious
members, a three-hour Sunday schedule at church can be difficult. This is
particularly true for parents with small children, primary children, elderly
members, new converts and others. There is so much more to this adjustment than
just shortening the Sunday meetinghouse schedule. The entire leadership of the
Church desire to bring greater gospel joy to parents, children, youth, singles,
the elderly, new converts and those people the missionaries are teaching
through a home-centered, church-supported, balanced effort.The purposes and
blessings associated with this adjustment and other recent changes
include the following: deepening conversion to Heavenly Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ and strengthening faith in them, strengthening individuals
and families through home-centered, church-supported curriculum that
contributes to joyful gospel living. Honoring the Sabbath day with the focus
on the ordinance of the sacrament. Helping all of Heavenly Father's
children on both sides of the veil through missionary work and receiving
ordinances and covenants and blessings of the temple.
This Sunday schedule allows more time for home-evening and to study the
gospel at home on Sunday or at other times as individuals and families may
choose. Family and individual gospel study at home will be significantly
enhanced by a harmonized curriculum and a new Come Follow Me resource for
individuals and families that is coordinated with what is being taught in
Sunday School and Primary. The new home-centered and church-supported curriculum
needs to influence more powerfully family religious observance
and behavior, and personal religious observance and behavior. We know the
spiritual impact and the deep and lasting conversion that can be achieved
in the home setting. We are confident that members will be blessed in
extraordinary ways. Sunday can be a day of gospel learning and teaching at
church and in the home. As individuals and families engage in family councils,
family history, ministering, service, personal worship and joyful family time, the
Sabbath day will truly be a delight.