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Show LDS meeting schedule to change March 2 A consolidated schedule of activities and meetings designed to provide more time for productive family life, Christian Chris-tian service, individual study and self-improvement self-improvement has been approved by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The change will be effective beginning beginn-ing March 2 in the United States and Canada and May 4 in all other areas of the world. Outlining the new program in a letter to Church leaders, the First Presidency pointed out that the new schedule should result in "greater spiritual growth" for Latter-day Saints, free them for more community service during dur-ing the week, and assist them in reducing reduc-ing personal expenses associated with travel to meetings and other acitivites. In addition, the First Presidency said, "Energy use in Church buildings should be reduced." Under the new schedule, each ward and branch (local congregation) will conduct its Sunday meetings in a single three-hour block, rather than spaced throughout the day, as has been traditional. tradi-tional. A major change will move meetings of three Church auxiliaries from weekdays to Sundays during the three-hour three-hour block. These organizations are the Relief Society, for women ages 18 and over; Young Women, for those ages 12 through 18; and Primary, for children 3 to 11. Local leaders may choose either of two schedules to fit the particular needs of their members One option begins with a 70-minute sacrament meeting, the principal worship wor-ship service of the Church. After a ten-minute ten-minute break, 40 minutes will then be devoted to Sunday School classes for those ages 12 and over. At the same ' time, Primary classes and activities, an hour-and-40-minute session, will begin in another part of the meetinghouse for children ages 3 through 11. Following Sunday School and another ten-minute break there will be separate 50-minute sessions for the Relief Society, Socie-ty, Young Women and priesthood members men and boys ages 12 and over. j The other option begins with priesthood, Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary sessions and places sacrament meeting at the end of the three-hour block, rather than at the beginning. The consolidated meeting schedule will place a greater responsibility on families and individuals for proper observance of the Sabbath, the First Presidency said. "More time will be available for per-, sonal study of the scriptures and family-centered gospel study," their letter pointed out. Other appropriate Sabbath activities, they indicated would include "strengthening family ties, visiting the sick and homebound, giving service to others, writing personal and family " histories, genealogical work and missionary mis-sionary work." The First Presidency said, "Every Latter-day Saint home should become a place where family members love to be, where they can enrich their lives and find mutual love, support, appreciation, ap-preciation, and encouragement." The new meeting schedule will also provide more weekday time for family members, as private citizens, to "take part in improving their community and strengthening the processes by which people of integrity are elected to public office." Special guidelines and suggestions have been prepared to assist parents and leaders of Church organizations to carry out their responsibilities under the new arrangement. CONSOLIDATED MEETING SCHEDULE OPTION A . . .. . 70MIN SACRAMENT MEETING 10 MlN Break Primary Optning Eorcim 40 MlN SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES , Primary 10 min Break C11IIB 10 MlN Optional Opaning Exarcisa Opaning In Clan Opaning Nuriary (undar bishopric diraction) Exareita Exarcna Melchizedalc Aaronic D , , HMMHHi 40 MIN Pmithood Pr,t,thood J0""5 Quorum. Quorums Wom,n -. Primary Activity Pariod 3 HOURS CONSOLIDATED MEETING SCHEDULE OPTION B inuiu Optional Opaning Exarcna Opaning In Clan Opanina ,0MIN Undarbi.hopricdiraction) JfL" lf!? opng Exarciw Malchizadak Aaronic RlM) Y a i 40 MIN Prwthooo Prit.tr.ood g WomJ(, Quorum. Ouorum. Primary J Claun Nu'"'V 10 MlN Break 40MIN SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES Prjmirv Activity Pariod ID MIN BfBak 0MiN SACRAMENT MEETING 3 HOURS |