In local and regional leadership training meetings around the world, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are counseling church members to improve their observance of the Sabbath day.

A question-and-answer video released Thursday on MormonNewsroom.org provides more insight on this counsel, with statements from Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, general president of the Primary; and Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy.

“Our whole desire is that throughout the church, we focus our Sabbath day worship on the Lord,” Elder Ballard said in the video.

Topics discussed in the video include involving ward councils in planning sacrament meetings and holding sacrament meeting at the beginning of the three-hour block of Sunday meetings.

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles appointed a committee, which includes four apostles and seven presidents of the Seventy, that will focus on this issue, Elder Ballard explained. Training was initially given to general authorities, area seventies and general auxiliary presidencies in April, and the training will now be shared with local congregations throughout the year, according to Mormon Newsroom.

Learn more about this training at MormonNewsroom.org.

Email: spetersen@deseretnews.com | Twitter: @Sarah_DNews