Sunday School

Sunday School in the Mormon Church

Mormon congregations hold Sunday School classes every Sunday.  Depending on the size of the congregation there can be one or several classes.  Children and teenagers have their own Sunday School classes run through the Young Men’s and Young Women’s and the Primary programs.

Sunday School is held for one hour each Sunday.  Lessons follow the scriptures and the teachings of the modern prophets like Joseph Smith.  The two most common classes taught are Gospel Essentials and Gospel Doctrine.  Gospel Essentials is a class geared toward new members or others who want to learn more about the basic doctrines of the Church.  This will probably be the class you attend when you first go to Church with the missionaries, since that is the class they attend.  Each week, the teacher focuses on a different gospel principle like tithing, prayer, or the mission of Jesus Christ.  This class is also popular with long time members.

Gospel Doctrine is the other class typically held in most wards.  Lessons in these classes follow the scriptures and teach doctrine from the stories and messages contained in them.  Usually, the class focuses on a different volume of scripture each year, one year each for the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants.  The Pearl of Great Price is covered the same year as the Old Testament.  The Sunday School teacher is a member of the congregation who devotes hours each week to preparing a lesson.  He or she tries to help members understand how scriptural teachings are relevant to our daily life today.

Members are encouraged to attend Sunday School each week and to participate in the discussions.  Mormon Sunday Schools typically are discussion oriented and everyone is expected to share their thoughts and opinions on the verses being studied.  Teachers try to involve every member.  In the Doctrine and Covenants we read:

Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege (Doctrine and Covenants 88:122).

Every person has experience and insight that is valuable to others and you can never know for sure but that what you feel inspired to say is the answer to someone else’s prayer.