Use Come, Follow Me -- For Individuals and Families

            Families, communities, and nations will be strengthened when parents establish the Come, Follow Me program in their home to help their children to live, learn, and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Sunday meeting schedule for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will change from a three-hour block to a two-hour block on Sunday, January 6, 2019. The shorter meeting schedule was instituted to give families more time together on Sunday. The Come, Follow Me program was put in place to help families learn the gospel in the home.

            President Russell M. Nelson announced a new “home-centered” teaching initiative during the October 2018 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then explained the logistics of the new initiative, including the new two-hour meeting block and the Come, Follow Me curriculum. 

            President Nelson called for a “new balance” between teaching the gospel in the home and in the church setting. He invited parents to strengthen families and individuals through a new “home-centered and church-supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith and foster a greater personal worship.” Elder Cook outlined the changes that will occur.

·         Sunday meetings will consist of a 60-minute sacrament meeting, 10-minute transition time, and a 50-minute class time.

·         Sacrament meeting will be “focused on the Savior, the ordinance of the sacrament and spiritual messages.”

·         Primary will be held every week and will include singing time and class time.

·         Youth and adult classes will alternate as follow:

o   Sunday School will be held on the first and third Sundays.

o   Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women meetings will be held on the second and fourth Sunday.

o   Fifth Sunday meetings will be under the direction of the bishop.

            Elder Cook explained that members can receive four blessings from the above changes: 

(1) deeper conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ; (2) stronger individuals and families; (3) honor the Sabbath day with a focus on the sacrament; (4) help for all of Heavenly Father’s children, both on earth and in heaven, through missionary work and temple work.

            Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about the effects of the changes. There is one over-all reason for the changes, and that purpose is to strengthen faith in Heavenly Father and His plan and in His Son Jesus Christ and His Atonement. He explained that the purpose is more than just a shorter Sunday meeting schedule. It is an opportunity for members to enjoy increased opportunities and responsibilities to enhance their Sabbath experience.

Please do not focus primarily on the logistical aspects of what has been announced. We must not allow procedural details to obscure the overarching spiritual reasons these changes now are being made…. Our only objectives are to facilitate continuing conversion to the Lord and to love more completely and serve more effectively our brothers and sisters.

            We live in an exciting period of time when revelations is pouring down from heaven upon the Prophet and Apostles. The main purpose of this increased revelation is to prepare a people who are ready to receive the Savior, even Jesus Christ.