The New LDS Sunday Schedule Explained: What Changes in September and Why It Matters
In this episode of the Church News Podcast, Church News reporter Mary Richards interviews Elder David P. Homer, General Authority Seventy and Executive Director of the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department, about significant changes coming to Sunday worship beginning in September. The discussion focuses on the Church’s new Sunday meeting schedule, enhanced gospel instruction, strengthened home-centered learning, and a new youth curriculum designed to help members become more devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Purpose Behind the New Sunday Schedule
Elder Homer explains that the changes are part of an ongoing effort to help members become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. He points to President Dallin H. Oaks’ emphasis that “Jesus Christ is the way” and explains that every recent adjustment in Church programs is designed to strengthen conversion and discipleship.
The new schedule creates a stronger connection between:
- Home gospel study
- Sunday worship
- Come, Follow Me lessons
- General Conference teachings
Previously, adults studied Come, Follow Me only every other week in Sunday School while spending alternate weeks in Relief Society or Elders Quorum discussing General Conference messages. Under the new schedule, Sunday School will meet weekly, creating a direct connection between home study and Church instruction every week.
Strengthening Home-Centered, Church-Supported Learning
One of the primary goals of the adjustment is to better align what members study at home with what they discuss at Church.
Elder Homer explains that children and youth have already experienced this weekly reinforcement through Primary and youth classes. Adults will now enjoy that same consistency.
The result is intended to:
- Deepen gospel learning
- Increase personal conversion
- Strengthen family gospel study
- Create greater continuity in spiritual growth
Rather than replacing home study, Church meetings are designed to support and reinforce what members are already learning throughout the week.
Increased Belonging and Community
Another significant benefit of the new schedule is increased opportunities for connection and belonging.
Under the previous format:
- Relief Society met every other week
- Elders Quorum met every other week
- Members often felt disconnected between meetings
Now, members will gather with their classes and quorums every week, creating more consistent relationships and opportunities for fellowship. Elder Homer notes that weekly interaction naturally fosters stronger community and a deeper sense of belonging.
Changes for Youth: Expanded “For the Strength of Youth” Curriculum
One of the most substantial changes affects youth instruction.
The updated For the Strength of Youth Guide has expanded from five chapters to twelve chapters, allowing youth to study more foundational gospel principles in greater depth. Topics include:
- God has a plan for me
- God wants to communicate with me
- Understanding priesthood keys
- The purpose of ordinances
- Divine identity
- Becoming who God intends us to become
These twelve chapters will anchor youth learning throughout the year.
Monthly Structure for Youth Learning
Elder Homer outlines a carefully designed structure:
Fast Sunday: Foundation Lesson
The first lesson of the month focuses on:
- Eternal truths
- Invitations to act
- Promised blessings
- Introduction of the month’s topic
This lesson becomes the foundation for the entire month’s learning.
Last Sunday of the Month: Identity and Becoming
The final lesson focuses on:
- Who am I?
- Who am I becoming?
- Who does the Lord want me to become?
Young women will study female scripture heroes, while young men will study male scripture heroes who exemplify the month’s principles. These lessons help youth connect doctrine to personal identity and discipleship.
New Resources for Youth and Families
Additional resources will accompany the curriculum:
- Printed For the Strength of Youth guides
- Digital resources in Gospel Library
- Monthly FSY Magazine supplements
- Eight pages of lesson and activity materials each month
These resources are intended not only for Sunday instruction but also for youth activities throughout the week.
Changes Coming to Primary
Beginning in January, Primary children will also experience enhanced instruction.
Instead of certain lessons being taught quarterly, children will now study these lessons monthly on Fast Sundays, creating more regular reinforcement of important gospel principles.
Making 25-Minute Classes Effective
One concern many members have is how meaningful discussions can happen in only 25 minutes.
Elder Homer explains that members actually receive roughly the same total instructional time as before. The difference is that the instruction is spread across weekly meetings rather than combined every other week.
He emphasizes that successful classes will require:
- Quick transitions
- Focused discussions
- Less administrative time
- More immediate engagement with scripture and doctrine
Activities such as lengthy introductions, “highs and lows,” or extensive personal updates may need to happen in other settings. Class time should focus directly on gospel learning.
A New Approach to Teaching
Perhaps one of the most profound themes in the interview is the shift in teaching philosophy.
Elder Homer stresses that gospel classes are not primarily about:
- Demonstrating knowledge
- Sharing interesting facts
- Presenting information
Instead, they are meant to help members:
- Share experiences
- Discuss doctrine
- Apply gospel principles
- Feel the Spirit
He says:
“This may be less about me being able to demonstrate my mastery of the information… and more a deliberate effort to immediately get into what the scriptures or what the conference talks are teaching us.”
The emphasis is on helping people discuss how gospel truths are changing their lives.
Relief Society and Elders Quorum Discussions
The changes also impact adult classes.
Rather than spending time on organizational business or extended counseling discussions, Relief Society and Elders Quorum meetings will focus more directly on:
- General Conference teachings
- Personal application
- Shared experiences
- Testimony building
Members are encouraged to move beyond simply reviewing conference talks and instead discuss:
- What principles stand out
- How those teachings apply personally
- What experiences members have had living those principles
This discussion-based approach is intended to invite the Spirit more powerfully.
The Importance of Preparation
Elder Homer repeatedly emphasizes preparation.
Members can prepare by:
- Reading Come, Follow Me during the week
- Reviewing conference talks in advance
- Studying assigned materials
- Coming ready to participate
While anyone can benefit from attending unprepared, those who prepare will find richer discussions and deeper spiritual experiences.
Testimony Grows Through Sharing
A particularly memorable teaching in the interview comes from Elder Homer’s discussion about testimony.
Drawing on teachings from President Oaks, he explains that testimonies grow when they are expressed.
As members:
- Share experiences
- Put feelings into words
- Explain what they believe
Their own conversion deepens.
Verbalizing spiritual experiences strengthens faith for both the speaker and the listeners.
Greater Emphasis on General Conference
The new schedule creates enough time to discuss nearly every General Conference message between conferences.
This allows members to:
- Discover recurring themes
- See the divine orchestration of conference messages
- Receive answers to personal questions
- Gain deeper understanding of prophetic counsel
Elder Homer notes that conference speakers labor prayerfully over every word, making these messages an invaluable resource for continued study.
Resources and Preparation for September
The Church has created extensive resources to help members prepare.
Available resources include:
- Sunday.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
- Implementation guides
- Frequently asked questions
- Training videos
- Teacher preparation materials
- Leadership resources
Special instruction will occur on:
August 30 (Fifth Sunday)
Focused primarily on:
- Youth curriculum changes
- New For the Strength of Youth materials
- Parent and leader preparation
September 6
The first Sunday using the new schedule, including instructional videos explaining:
- Sunday School expectations
- Relief Society format
- Elders Quorum discussions
- The role of sacrament meeting
Keeping Sacrament Meeting Central
Despite excitement surrounding second-hour changes, Elder Homer repeatedly stresses that sacrament meeting remains the most important part of Sunday worship.
He encourages wards to focus on:
- Reverence
- Preparation
- Christ-centered messages
- Meaningful music
- Welcoming environments
- Thoughtful planning
The purpose of all changes is ultimately to help members make and renew sacred covenants with Jesus Christ.
The Three Desired Outcomes for Youth
Elder Homer concludes with a powerful framework for understanding the Children and Youth Program.
The program focuses on three pillars:
- Gospel Learning
- Service and Activities
- Personal Development
But he explains that each pillar points toward a deeper outcome:
Gospel Learning
“I believe in Jesus Christ.”
Service and Activities
“I belong to Jesus Christ and His Church.”
Personal Development
“I become who Jesus Christ wants me to become.”
The ultimate goals are that youth:
- Believe
- Belong
- Become
Elder Homer’s Final Testimony
In closing, Elder Homer reflects on John 14:6:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
He testifies that Jesus Christ personally leads His Church and inspires its prophets and apostles. After participating in the development of these changes, he has gained a deeper conviction that Christ is actively directing His Church today.
His final message is simple:
In a world filled with confusion and noise, the Savior’s invitation remains the same:
“Come, follow me.”
Main Takeaway
The new Sunday schedule is much more than a logistical adjustment. It represents a deliberate effort to strengthen discipleship, deepen gospel learning, increase belonging, improve teaching, enhance family gospel study, and help members of all ages draw closer to Jesus Christ through more focused and meaningful Sabbath worship.