President Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teaches that the ideal place to teach, learn, and live the gospel is at home.
In his October 2025 general conference address, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ Centers the Family,” President Oaks spoke about the divine invitation that all families have to grow together in the gospel.
“Parents, whether single or married, and people who play this role for their children, such as grandparents, are teacher leaders. They teach most effectively by example. The family circle is the ideal place to demonstrate and learn eternal values, such as the importance of marriage and children, the purpose of life, and the source of true joy,” he taught.
When a home-centered, church-supported transition was made, church leaders said that much of the learning should take place in the home, so that church learning became a support rather than the primary source of gospel teaching and learning, rather than focusing solely on teaching in weekly church meetings.
Elder David P. Homer, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department, said the new Sunday class schedule, effective in September, will more directly link what’s happening at home with what’s happening in the church.
Currently, adults in the church discuss “Come, Follow Me” only in biweekly Sunday school classes. Currently, these classes are held weekly.
“We now have an opportunity to literally connect what is happening at home with what is happening in the church for everyone, and this will further strengthen the family-centered, church-supported changes announced several years ago,” Elder Homer said.
By meeting weekly, Relief Society classes and elders quorum students can study more general conference addresses throughout the year. Young Women groups and Aaronic Priesthood quorums will study the expanded For the Strength of Youth guide each week. Elder Homer said on the Church News podcast that preparing at home can improve your Sunday experience.
Elder Homer said everything done in the church is an effort to help people convert and become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
“We all understand that what starts at home and what happens in church helps, but it starts at home, and this is an opportunity and an opportunity to strengthen that.”
In a video for the Gospel Learning and Education Account, Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson said the new schedule will help church members focus more on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“Shorten class time allows us to quickly get to what matters most: the most important truths of the Savior and His gospel,” he said. “The new schedule will enhance your gospel study at home by enhancing your weekly gospel study.”
For more information on upcoming schedule changes, visit Sunday.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Learn more about home-centered learning
Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president, said Relief Society supports family-centered gospel learning. This varies depending on each household and family situation.
“When I was a young mother and had three boys, scripture study would often involve all the boys in bed, and I would sit on the hallway floor outside my bedroom and read the Book of Mormon aloud,” she said in a World Relief Society video. “Although it wasn’t ideal, I do know that because of our efforts, my sons knew and understood the importance of reading the scriptures every day.”
President Johnson encouraged women to consider ways to improve the standards of gospel learning in their homes and share their experiences with Relief Society sisters.
“We support each other in this very important cause,” she said.
This adjustment was introduced by then-President Russell M. Nelson in October 2018 general conference.
“Each of us is responsible for our own spiritual growth,” he said. “And the scriptures make it clear that parents have the primary responsibility for teaching doctrine to their children.”
At the same conference, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about balancing church and home experiences as a way to grow in faith and spirituality and deepen conversion.
“World conditions increasingly require individuals to deepen their conversion and strengthen their faith in our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement. The Lord is preparing us step by step for the perilous times we now face,” Elder Cook said, adding, “The adjustments announced this morning are another example of guidance for the challenges of our time.”
Section 2.2.3 of the General Handbook outlines how gospel teaching and learning is family-centered and church-supported.
“Church leaders encourage all members to study the gospel at home on the Sabbath and throughout the week. Gospel study at home strengthens individuals and families. It deepens conversion to our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
