Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Monday adjustments to the organization’s schedule for Sunday worship services “to support members in their efforts to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Beginning Sept. 6, the Sunday schedule throughout the church will include a 60-minute sacrament meeting followed by a five-minute transition and a 25-minute Sunday School class. Following a second five-minute transition, members will conclude Sunday services with meetings for priesthood quorums, Relief Society and Young Women. The Primary schedule for children will not change.
“The adjustments will strengthen gospel learning in homes and congregations throughout the world,” according to a press release posted on churchofjesuschrist.org.
Currently, Latter-day Saints gather for two hours each Sunday for worship services. During the first hour, the entire congregation meets together to pray, sing hymns, listen to talks and partake of the sacrament — an ordinance in which Latter-day Saints remember the Savior and covenant to take his name upon them.
Since 2019, Latter-day Saints have alternated the second-hour schedule based on the week. The first and third Sundays have been reserved for Sunday School — a time for members to study the scriptures. During second and fourth Sundays, classes have been held for men and young men to meet in priesthood quorums, women to meet in Relief Society (the church’s organization for women) and for young women to meet in classes. During fifth Sundays, members have gathered under the direction of the bishop.
“Gathering weekly in every class helps deepen gospel learning by connecting it more closely to personal and family study,” said President Paul V. Johnson, Sunday School General President. “It also enhances the spiritual support that members get. Though the schedule looks different, the amount of time spent learning together remains the same.”
The changes come seven years after then-church President Russell M. Nelson announced that Sunday worship services would be reduced from three hours to two hours and encouraged members to increase their gospel study at home. Members began studying curriculum at both home and in Sunday classes titled, “Come, Follow Me.” Members across the world “embraced these changes with faith and enthusiasm,” according to the press release. The adjustments announced this week will “further enhance learning, fellowship and worship.”
A summary of the changes include:
- Sunday School, Relief Society, elders quorum, Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings will be held each week.
- Sacrament meeting will continue to be 60 minutes, followed by brief transition periods.
- Sunday School and quorum and class meetings will each be 25 minutes.
- Primary will continue every Sunday and will be 55 minutes, held while adults and youth attend their respective classes.
- Where local circumstances necessitate, units may begin with Primary and quorum and class meetings and conclude with sacrament meeting.
Every age group will continue participating in “Come, Follow Me” lessons. “Weekly classes will offer consistent opportunities to learn together, share experiences and encourage one another in living gospel principles,” according to the press release.
Youth Curriculum: ‘For the Strength of Youth’
An updated “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” will become the curriculum for Young Women classes and Aaronic Priesthood quorums, according to ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Additional supporting content will be provided through the “For the Strength of Youth” magazine, starting with the September 2026 issue.
“Living prophets have given us the FSY guide. It’s simple but powerful. It will help young men and young women focus on Christ, know His doctrine, and listen to the Spirit,” said President Timothy L. Farnes, Young Men general president. “This guide will help youth walk in confidence, rely on His power, and move forward with hope in a challenging world. I find it helpful as a daily part of my scripture study.”
According to ChurchofJesusChrist.org, the desired outcomes for youth who study this guide are that they will:
1. Become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ with a firm understanding of his gospel.
2. Be prepared for the temple endowment with a deeper understanding of priesthood ordinances and covenant promises.
3. Be prepared for a mission with a desire to serve the Lord.
4. Be focused on their future family with an understanding that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Father’s plan.
5. Know Jesus Christ is their strength.
Relief Society and elders quorum meetings
Weekly Relief Society and elders quorum meetings will continue to focus on messages from the most recent general conference, according to the press release. These discussions emphasize understanding prophetic teachings and applying them in daily life.
“There is additive strength that comes when we meet each week to counsel, learn, and support one another,” said President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president. “When we gather in His name, the Spirit is there to teach us, testimonies are strengthened, and we lift each other in discipleship. This weekly time for connection will help us draw closer to the Savior and each other. We find joy in walking the covenant path together.”
Sacrament meeting worship
While the length of sacrament meeting remains unchanged, leaders are encouraged “to deliberately consider ways to strengthen the quality of worship and help sacrament meeting become more central in the lives of Latter-day Saints,” according to the release. “Members are invited to seek meaningful ways to enrich their own worship experience. Sacrament meeting is a time of joy, reverence and welcoming fellowship centered on the Savior Jesus Christ.”
According to the church’s handbook, each Latter-day Saint is responsible to learn the gospel for himself or herself. In addition, parents are responsible to teach the gospel to their children.
“Gospel learning and teaching should be centered in the home. Church leaders and teachers encourage and support home-centered gospel learning and teaching.
“Leaders and teachers encourage members to seek their own inspiration about how to study and teach the gospel. Their main resources should be the scriptures and general conference messages.”
The fifth Sunday in August 2026 will be dedicated for preparation and discussion by youth, their parents and their leaders, according to the release. Additional preparation and discussion for members will take place during the second hour on Sept. 6.
Resources, training materials and answers to common questions will be made available in the coming weeks, according to ChurchofJesusChrist.org.