The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is reinstating the practice of opening the second hour of Sunday meetings with a prayer, effective immediately.
The direction is given in a December 21 notice from the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department to stake, mission and district presidencies; bishoprics and branch presidencies; and stake and ward councils.
It reverses a change announced in 2018, when the Church implemented a new and simplified Sunday meeting schedule. At the time, direction was given that Sunday School, elders quorum, Relief Society, Aaronic Priesthood quorum and Young Women classes would no longer open with a hymn and prayer but would continue to conclude with a closing prayer (see enclosure to the First Presidency letter dated October 6, 2018).
opening prayer
A young man stands and prayers in a quorum meeting in Paris, France.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
The December 21 notices also cites the Church’s “General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” reminding leaders of the language and length for prayers in Church meetings as well as who may offer prayers.
Under the heading “Prayers in Church Meetings,” section 29.6 states: “Prayers in Church meetings should be brief, simple, and directed by the Spirit. Any baptized Church member may offer an opening or closing prayer. …
“Members should pray using words that express love and respect for Heavenly Father. In English, this includes the pronouns Thee, Thy, Thine, and Thou when addressing Him.”