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Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint believe that Sunday School is an important part of Sunday church services. For Latter-day Saints, Sunday School is a time to study God’s word, uplift each other, and learn and worship together.
How does Sunday School fit into a Latter-day Saint church service?
Latter-day Saint Sunday School is held each Sunday for approximately 40 minutes. All Church members ages 12 and older are members of Sunday School (see Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 12.1). Sunday School is typically held after sacrament meeting, the main Sunday church service for Latter-day Saints. Most of the time, youth and adults separate into different Sunday School classes to learn in a way best suited to their age groups (see Handbook 2, 12.4).
What is Sunday School like?
Adults are welcome to attend one of several Sunday School classes that are typically offered during the church service. Many adults choose to attend Gospel Doctrine, a Sunday School class that focuses on the study of Latter-day Saint scriptures, including the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Some congregations also offer Gospel Principles, a class that focuses on teaching basic gospel truths, and other optional courses, such as a Marriage and Family Relations class.
During the Sunday School portion of a Latter-day Saint church service, a teacher typically shares a lesson he or she has prepared ahead of time using a manual of instruction provided by the Church. Class members are also encouraged to share thoughts and insights from their at-home study of scriptures related to the lesson topic. Class members typically pray together and may sing a hymn at the beginning and end of Sunday School.
Sunday School is overseen by Latter-day Saint leaders at both a local and worldwide level. Latter-day Saint leaders on a local level organize a Sunday School presidency to oversee learning and teaching efforts in each congregation (see Handbook 2, 12.5). Likewise, Latter-day Saint leaders on a worldwide level organize a Sunday School General Presidency to oversee Latter-day Saint Sunday School and gospel learning and teaching efforts around the globe (see “Global Leadership of the Church”).
How can I learn more?
To learn more about how members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship on Sunday, or to find out how to attend a church service in your area, visit comeuntochrist.org.