“29. Meetings in the Church,” Selections from the General Handbook (2023).
“29. Meetings in the Church,” Selections from the General Handbook
29.
Meetings in the Church
29.0
Introduction
Latter-day Saints meet together to worship, edify each other, and teach and learn the gospel (see Alma 6:6; Moroni 6:5–6). The Savior promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Meeting together is one way our hearts can be “knit together in unity and in love” (Mosiah 18:21).
However, holding a meeting should never replace serving and ministering as Jesus Christ did.
29.1
Planning and Conducting Meetings
Leaders plan and conduct meetings “as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:45; see also Moroni 6:9; Doctrine and Covenants 46:2). They seek ways to invite the influence of the Spirit in their meetings.
Leaders ensure that the number and length of meetings do not create burdens for members or their families.
29.2
Ward Meetings
29.2.1
Sacrament Meeting
29.2.1.1
Planning Sacrament Meeting
The bishopric plans and conducts sacrament meeting. They ensure that the focus of the meeting is on the sacrament and building faith in Jesus Christ.
Sacrament meeting lasts one hour. It can include the following:
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Prelude music (see 19.3.2 for guidelines).
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Greeting and welcome.
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Acknowledgment of presiding authorities or other leaders who are visiting.
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Announcements. These should be kept to a minimum.
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Ward and stake business, such as the following:
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Naming and blessing children (see 18.6). This is usually done in fast and testimony meeting (see 29.2.2).
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Confirming new converts (see 18.8).
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Sacrament hymn and administration of the sacrament. The sacrament is the main focus of the meeting. This ordinance is an opportunity for members to direct their thoughts toward the Savior and His sacrifice for them.
For more about preparing, blessing, and passing the sacrament, see 18.9.
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Gospel messages and congregational singing or other music.
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Closing hymn and prayer.
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Postlude music.
29.2.1.4
Selecting Speakers
The bishopric selects speakers for sacrament meeting. Most often they invite ward members, including youth and children.
Speakers bear testimony of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel using the scriptures (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:12; 52:9).
29.2.2
Fast and Testimony Meeting
In a fast and testimony meeting, there are no assigned speakers or special musical selections. Instead, the person conducting bears a brief testimony. He then invites members of the congregation to bear their testimonies. To bear testimony means to declare gospel truths as inspired by the Holy Ghost.
29.2.3
Ward Conference
29.2.4
Bishopric Meeting
Matters for consideration could include:
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Coordinating the work of salvation and exaltation in the ward.
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Strengthening individuals and families in the ward—especially youth and children.
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Identifying members who could prepare to receive ordinances, including priesthood ordinations.
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Identifying members to call to ward positions.
29.2.5
Ward Council Meeting
The bishop plans, presides over, and conducts ward council meetings. The council does not make major decisions without the bishop.
Ward organization leaders attend ward council meetings in two capacities:
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As members of the ward council who help bless all ward members.
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As representatives of their organizations.
When they meet together, ward council members discuss matters that would benefit from unified efforts of the entire council. Each council member is encouraged to share his or her thoughts and inspiration on these matters.
Ward council meetings usually do not last longer than one hour. They begin with a prayer and brief reports on assignments from previous meetings. The bishop gives priority to matters that are most needed to bless individuals and families.
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Living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Helping all members build faith, receive saving ordinances, and keep their covenants.
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Caring for those in need. Sharing resources and skills to bless individuals, families, and the community. Helping ward members become self-reliant. (See chapter 22.)
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Inviting all to receive the gospel. Reviewing the progress of those who are learning about the gospel, as well as new and returning members. Discussing ways members can share the gospel with others. (See chapter 23.)
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Uniting families for eternity. Reviewing the progress of members who are preparing to receive temple ordinances. Planning ways to help more members qualify for a temple recommend. Discussing ways members can participate in temple and family history work. (See chapter 25.)
Council members must keep confidential any private or sensitive information (see 4.4.6).
29.2.6
Ward Youth Council Meeting
Before each meeting, the bishop and the person conducting review the items to be discussed.
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The work of salvation and exaltation.
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Needs of youth in the ward and ways to address them.
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Efforts to reach out to youth who are less active or new members.
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Activities, including opportunities to serve those in need. Most of the planning is done in quorum or class presidency meetings (see chapter 20).
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Ministering (see chapter 21).
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Orienting newly called quorum and class presidencies.
29.2.8
Schedules for Sunday Meetings
Wards use one of the following two-hour schedules for Sunday meetings.
Plan 1
|
60 minutes |
Sacrament meeting |
|---|---|
|
10 minutes |
Transition to classes and meetings |
|
50 minutes |
All Sundays: Primary, including nursery First and third Sundays of the month: Sunday School Second and fourth Sundays: priesthood quorum meetings, Relief Society meetings, and Young Women meetings Fifth Sundays: meetings for youth and adults. The bishopric determines the topic and assigns teachers. |
Plan 2
|
50 minutes |
All Sundays: Primary, including nursery First and third Sundays of the month: Sunday School Second and fourth Sundays: priesthood quorum meetings, Relief Society meetings, and Young Women meetings Fifth Sundays: meetings for youth and adults. The bishopric determines the topic and assigns teachers. |
|---|---|
|
10 minutes |
Transition to sacrament meeting |
|
60 minutes |
Sacrament meeting |
29.3
Stake Meetings
29.3.1
Stake Conference
29.3.2
Stake General Priesthood Meeting
29.3.3
Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting
29.3.4
Stake Leadership Meetings
29.3.5
Stake Presidency Meeting
29.3.6
High Council Meeting
29.3.7
Stake Council Meeting
29.3.8
Stake Adult Leadership Committee Meeting
29.3.9
Stake Youth Leadership Committee Meeting
29.3.10
Stake Bishops’ Council Meeting
29.5
Funerals and Other Services for the Deceased
29.5.1
General Principles
An important purpose of Church services for the deceased is to testify of the plan of salvation, particularly the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection. These services should be dignified, spiritual experiences.
Church leaders should not include rituals of other religions or groups in Church services for the deceased.
29.5.2
Offering Assistance to the Family
As disciples of Jesus Christ, Church leaders and members “mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:9). When a member dies, the bishop visits the family to give comfort.
The bishop offers assistance from ward members, including the elders quorum and Relief Society.
29.5.4
Funeral Services (Where Customary)
A funeral conducted by the bishop, whether in a Church building or elsewhere, is a Church meeting and a religious service. It should be a spiritual occasion.
Funerals should start on time. Generally, they should not last more than 1.5 hours, as a courtesy to those who attend.
Funeral services are not normally held on Sunday.
29.6
Prayers in Church Meetings
Prayers in Church meetings should be brief, simple, and directed by the Spirit. Any baptized Church member may offer an opening or closing prayer. Children who are not baptized may pray in Primary.
29.7
Streaming Meetings and Holding Virtual Meetings
The bishop may, as an exception, authorize a livestream of sacrament meetings and of funerals and weddings held in the meetinghouse.
A livestream of a sacrament meeting should not include the administration of the sacrament.
For some meetings, the bishop or stake president may authorize members who cannot attend in person to participate virtually. These meetings may include:
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Leadership meetings, such as presidency or council meetings.
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Quorum, Relief Society, and Young Women meetings.
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Sunday School classes.
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Primary classes and singing time.
29.8
Photographs and Video Recordings of Meetings
To preserve the sacredness of Church meetings, no one should take photographs or make video recordings of sacrament meetings or stake conferences.
For information about stream recordings of meetings, see 29.7.
29.9
Interpreting for Meetings
In stakes where members speak more than one native language, a member of the stake presidency may call a stake interpretation coordinator. A bishop may call ward interpreters.
For more information, see Church Interpretation Training and Best Practices at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.