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THE INTERNET — After months (maybe even years) of rumors flying, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a change to the Sunday church meeting schedule.
Yes, it finally happened. Beginning in January, Latter-day Saints will attend a shortened schedule of church services. The new schedule will include two hours of regularly scheduled meetings for most members, rather than three. Church leaders expressed that the change would create more balance between gospel instruction in the home and at church.
"President Nelson [has] announced an adjustment to achieve 'a new balance between gospel instruction in the home and in the Church.'" @CookQuentinL#GeneralConferencepic.twitter.com/vpHmCAWaVd
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@LDSchurch) October 6, 2018
"It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings." @NelsonRussellM#GeneralConference
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@LDSchurch) October 6, 2018
As the announcement was made, church members took to Twitter to express how they felt about the change. Many expressed gratitude for the “home-centered” approach, while others rejoiced about the changes to the schedule, and plenty of people made jokes about what the change would mean to them.
Home Centered Church! Here we go. ❤️✊🏼 #GeneralConference
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) October 6, 2018
I'm so grateful for the inspired leadership of our church leaders.... we are to focus on a more christ-centered home.... So we are cutting our Sunday meeting times from 3 to 2 hours....and are encouraged to do more learning of gospel principles at home ..❤ #GeneralConferencepic.twitter.com/EzMNxksDoL
— Michelle Grigsby (@michellegrigsby) October 6, 2018
Love the phrase “Home centered, church supported”....and can be flexible for ALL families! As a single Mom, I feel included! #LDSConf
— Lisa (@LisaLucas75) October 6, 2018
Fans in Ogden and Utah County were at each other's throats yesterday, but today we stand united #LDSConf#BYU#USUpic.twitter.com/BPSod53XNa
— Bryson Webster (@BrysonWebster) October 6, 2018
#Tweet7
Remember Saints we're giving you time off from the church, but not time off from Christ. #ElderCook#ComeFollowMe#LDSconf
— Sistas in Zion (@SISTASinZION) October 6, 2018
2 hour church couldn’t have come at a better time as we are preparing for twins and can barely keep our children alive each Sunday 🙌🏼 #ldsconfpic.twitter.com/1qvetiSnQq
— Andy Phillips (@AndyDPhillips) October 6, 2018
Me realizing this means I’ll have to go to Sunday School now since I don’t have the excuse of getting things ready for Relief Society. #generalconferencepic.twitter.com/nkp5B0qpLO
— Shelby Hintze (@shelbs25) October 6, 2018
Translation: No more hoping our kids learn the gospel simply by showing up each Sunday to church. It’s time to actually buckle down & make our homes a place where the gospel is taught & lived daily. #LDSconf
— D💰 (@Christofferson6) October 6, 2018
Nursery leaders after the announcement in #GeneralConference /#ldsconf#twohourblockpic.twitter.com/7GjgVCApx4
— Andrew McFarlane (@VivaLaVidaDad) October 6, 2018
#GeneralConferencepic.twitter.com/Um8u4wgYeZ
— Jacob Klopfenstein (@JFKlopfenstein) October 6, 2018
The last time I felt this excited Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points in the 3rd quarter of a close-out playoff game against the Thunder. 😱 #TakeNote#GeneralConference#LdsConf#GenConfhttps://t.co/FAG9mpcfp9
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) October 6, 2018
#Tweet15
"These changes will be implemented in January 2019"#GeneralConference#2hourchurch#LDSConfpic.twitter.com/pUkj7f1Mkg
— Lil Momster (@cynicotton) October 6, 2018
#Tweet22
President Nelson to the 3 hour block...#GeneralConferencepic.twitter.com/dDu835yHoe
— Hank R. Smith (@hankrsmith) October 6, 2018
KSL Newsradio’s Mary Richards also interviewed conferencegoers about the announcement.
1/I asked people outside the Conference Center about #GeneralConference Sunday schedule announcement: “It’s not for naps, even though we might want it for naps, it shouldn’t be.” “It’s a time to become closer to our family.” -Austin Smart & Carter Lloyd from Boise, Idaho
— Mary Richards (@kslmrichards) October 6, 2018
2/“I work in a bishopbric, and I get late to the house, and they are like, ‘This is not a rest day!’ I say, ‘It is the Lord’s day, it is not a resting day.’ Now I am pretty sure they are going to be happy.” -Dr Carlos Angulo, Venezuela
— Mary Richards (@kslmrichards) October 6, 2018
3/“I think it’s inspired by our Heavenly Father. I agree with it starting in the home, regardless of your family circumstances. It’s crucial to start first in the home, and have the Church support us in it.” -Rebecca Schumann, West Jordan
— Mary Richards (@kslmrichards) October 6, 2018
4/“We recognize that it is a worldwide church. There are a lot of changes that will improve the opportunities of saints across the world, to teach and train each other and their children.” -Vaughn Hawkes, Orem, Utah
— Mary Richards (@kslmrichards) October 6, 2018
Final/“Sometimes I think 3 hour church is kind of long, but 2 hour I think will be really good because we’ll have time to go home and do the Sabbath day stuff with our families.” -Megan Baugh, Temecula, California
— Mary Richards (@kslmrichards) October 6, 2018
Contributing: Mary Richards, KSL Newsradio
