Sunday School
A Message from the Sunday School Presidency
The miracle we seek is when one person has an experience in the scriptures and that experience is blessed by the influence of the Holy Ghost. Such experiences are precious foundation stones for our conversion to the Savior. As President Russell M. Nelson reminded us, spiritual foundations must be constantly reinforced. Long-lasting conversion is a lifelong process. Conversion is our goal., President Mark L. Pace, Sunday School General President, April 2022
The Announcement Has Been Made, But What Does It Mean?
In March of 2026, the First Presidency announced changes to the Sunday class meeting schedule. These updates are meant to support individuals and families as they learn, worship, and serve, both at home and at church. Together, these changes create simple and meaningful ways to grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and to feel more connected to Them and to each other.
Instruction videos will be available in August 2026. Answers to common questions are available now.
Wondering about the details? Follow the link below to better understand the what, why, and how, or simply to learn more.
Deepening Gospel Learning: Timeline & Resources
Preparing for the September 6, 2026 Second-Hour Schedule
Dear Bishops and Sunday School Presidencies,
Thank you for your continued dedication to strengthening gospel learning and teaching in our stake. As we prepare for the transition to the new second-hour schedule beginning September 6, 2026, our goal is to ensure every ward is fully equipped—both practically and spiritually—for a successful launch.
In sharing the vision behind these updates, the First Presidency and General Authorities have emphasized the core purpose of this shift:
“As members worship, learn, and serve together, they will find joy, gain increased strength, and feel the Lord’s blessings in their lives and homes.”The First Presidency
To help your wards transition smoothly to this new format, we have compiled key resources, action items, and the specific breakdown of the schedule.
The New Sunday Schedule Flow
- Sunday School classes: Lessons will continue to follow the Come, Follow Me curriculum.
- Adults (Elders Quorum & Relief Society): Gospel instruction will center entirely on messages selected by presidencies from the most recent General Conference. Lessons will focus on counseling together about how to apply these prophetic principles to daily life and deepen covenant relationships with the Savior.
- Youth (Young Men & Young Women): Follow the new curriculum based on the updated For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices.
- Primary: Will continue as normal, 55 minutes including 25 minutes of singing time, 5 minutes of transition, and 25 minutes of Come, Follow Me class study.
Teaching in the Savior’s Way in 25 Minutes
With class times shortened, teachers do not have time for a traditional, lecture-heavy lesson. Instead, the 25-minute block is a beautiful opportunity to lean directly into the core principles of Teaching in the Savior’s Way (General Handbook, 17.1):
Shift focus from “covering a lesson” to the individuals in the room. Pray for them by name and seek to meet their spiritual needs.
Rely on the Holy Ghost to guide preparation. Because time is brief, being spiritually in tune will help teachers know what to focus on and what to let go.
Focus deeply on essential, saving truths. In a 25-minute Sunday School class, teachers should aim to discuss only 1 to 3 of the most relevant principles from Come, Follow Me, rather than rushing through the whole outline.
Shift the teacher’s role from presenter to facilitator. Ask inspired, open-ended questions that prompt pondering (e.g., “What did you learn about the Savior from your reading this week?”). Give class members the space to share testimonies, insights, and experiences that build faith.
Key Resources & Action Items
1. Review the Implementation Document. Please download and open the Official Implementation Guide, or find it attached to the email version of this message.
2. Preview the Training and Classroom Videos. We highly suggest that Ward Sunday School Presidencies and Bishoprics preview these materials together. Understanding the pacing and vision will allow you to guide your ward members with confidence.
Sunday Meeting Schedule Resource Page
3. Establish Weekly Teacher Councils. We recommend Sunday School presidents meet with your Bishoprics immediately to schedule weekly Teacher Councils leading up to the transition, to help teachers practice this truncated pacing and build confidence using Teaching in the Savior’s Way in a shorter timeframe. Your support is crucial. Once the schedule launches, standard Teacher Councils will be held monthly during one of the 25-minute class periods (e.g., Sunday School teachers meet while quorum/Relief Society meetings are held, and vice versa).
Official Implementation Timeline
- First Week of August: Instruction videos will be officially made available online. Ward Sunday School Presidencies should begin previewing them via the Sunday Meeting Schedule Resource Page.
- Weeks of August 9–August 23: Hold your weekly Teacher Council meetings to help teachers practice truncated pacing.
- Sunday, August 30 (5th Sunday Meeting): Youth, parents, and leaders will meet together during class time to watch the new instruction video and discuss the youth curriculum. Adults will attend a standard 5th Sunday meeting.
- Sunday, September 6 (Launch Day): The new schedule officially begins. Sunday School (youth and adults) will attend a 25-minute class to watch the “Sunday School” and “The Sabbath and Sacrament Meeting” videos; Priesthood and Relief Society transition to watch the “Relief Society and Elders Quorums” video; and youth classes transition immediately to their regular classes using the new FSY curriculum.
Thank you for your leadership. By keeping our focus on Christ-centered worship, fellowship, and home-centered study, we can help our teachers confidently step into this new rhythm.
“This is more than a schedule change; it is an invitation to joyful, Christ-centered worship—renewing our home-centered, Church-supported pattern and strengthening covenant belonging.”Implementation Guide
Please reach out if we can support your ward in any way.
Warm regards,
Stake Sunday School Presidency
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“The Savior, despite being burdened with excessive sadness and stress, taught us by His example that charity suffereth long, and is kind.”
Ulisses Soares