The Church Announces a new theme/program for Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood starting in January of 2018
The Church will be implementing changes to the Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood quorum meetings as of January 2018. Portions of the October issue of the Ensign and Liahona magazines offer more information regarding the changes.
According to the magazines, the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church will be replaced with a "greater emphasis on learning from general conference messages, counseling together, and studying special topics selected by general leaders." These changes will also address local needs and involve more collaboration among its members.
"God has organized his covenant sons and daughters into Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies to help accomplish his work... So while gospel instruction is important, Sunday Priesthood and Relief Society meetings are MORE than just classes. They are also working meetings where we learn together from general conference messages, counsel about the work of salvation, and organize to accomplish the work."
Here's What To Expect:
- First Sunday: Meeting to discuss local needs
- Second and Third Sundays: Sunday priesthood and Relief Society to study and apply recent general conference messages
- Fourth Sunday: Specific topic of study chosen by general LDS Church Leaders
- Fifth Sunday: Bishopric chooses topic for priesthood and Relief Society to study
President Grasteit addressed the Stake Auxiliaries and implored us to focus more of our attention on "ministering" to each other and to others in the community. He remarked that the Savior administered to the people and that we are to follow his example, but instead of focusing on the "admin" part of our callings, he wants us to focus on "ministering." These new changes will allow us as sisters to come closer, learn from one another, and serve one another in a more personal and meaningful way.
Visiting Teaching is also changing. Our Stake Relief Society Presidency emphasized that the purpose of Visiting Teaching is meeting the needs of the sisters that you assigned to. Instead of operating in the formal way of sharing a message with the sisters once a month, we are being asked to pray, prepare, and recognize the real needs of the sisters we are visiting and do what we can to meet those needs, and help each other in meaningful and personal ways. It can be a text, an email, a lunch or a "pop-in." It can be anything that the sisters need at that time that will make a difference.
We are so excited for the new changes that the upcoming year has for Relief Society. And we are certain that with time and cooperation, we will grow stronger in friendship and sisterhood.
