Innovations Highlight Sunday School Conference

Three new developments were highlighted at the Sunday School conference held in conjunction with October conference.

The changes announced include a new series of fellowshiping lessons, family presentations at Fast Sunday opening exercises, and a new approach to ward-level leadership training.

In addition, a revised edition of the Sunday School Handbook was introduced, along with a Junior Sunday School Coordinator’s Guidebook. This latter publication is, according to Sunday School executive secretary Jay W. Mitton, the first handbook to show the total operation of the Junior Sunday School.

The twelve-week fellowshiping course is a priesthood home teaching function but will eventually replace the current Gospel Essentials course taught in Sunday School. Divided into five units, the new course will discuss such areas as the plan of salvation, the eternal family, the royal priesthood, the Church today, and one’s personal responsibility.

Family spiritual presentations have been approved by the First Presidency as a replacement for two-and-a-half-minute talks and memorized scripture recitations. The presentations may consist of poetry, special music, talks, or scripture reading.