In the recent issue of the Ensign, the Church published additional information about the new Relief Society and Priesthood curriculum for next year.

For years, we have studied the Teachings of Presidents of the Church series. In 2018, we will begin using general conference messages to focus our study on the teachings of living prophets, apostles, and other Church leaders.

A New Sunday Experience

In January 2018, Sunday meetings for Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies will change. These changes involve the materials we use—the Teachings of Presidents of the Church series will be replaced with a greater emphasis on learning from general conference messages, counseling together, and studying special topics selected by our general leaders.

But the most meaningful change has to do with how we use these materials to accomplish the true purposes of our Sunday meetings.

The Purposes of Our Meetings

God has organized His covenant sons and daughters into priesthood quorums and Relief Societies to help accomplish His work. Something powerful happens when we gather under the direction of those holding priesthood keys. So while gospel instruction is important, Sunday priesthood and Relief Society meetings are more than classes. They are also working meetings where we learn together from general conference messages, counsel about the work of salvation, and organize to accomplish the work. The changes coming in 2018 will help us fulfill these purposes.

Questions and Answers

Is this change a new curriculum—or something more? The new materials may look like a curriculum, but they are also a catalyst for Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies to increase their participation in God’s work and in meeting local needs. This change provides a forum for identifying, counseling about, and meeting those needs.

What will we focus on during Sunday meetings? Starting in November 2017, general conference issues of the Ensign will include materials to be used in Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society Sunday meetings. Two monthly meetings will focus on conference messages, and leaders and teachers will be given ideas for helping members discuss and apply those messages. First Sundays will be spent in counseling together to meet local needs and fourth Sundays in studying a topic selected by our general leaders. See the monthly meeting schedule on the other side of this page.

Images from lds.org