The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a 2-hour church schedule. Beginning in January 2019, the new schedule will affect members everywhere, including in the greater Chattanooga area. Church services were previously three hours.
The church has also released a new home-centered, church-supported curriculum entitled, Come, Follow Me – For Individuals and Families. The curriculum focuses on lessons to be taught not only at church but at home, too. There are a lot more hours in a week than the hours spent in church on Sundays. This is why the new curriculum focuses on encouraging everyone to spend more time studying the scriptures in their homes.
In 2019, study will be from the New Testament. Every household will be provided a home study guide that goes over the scriptures for that week. Those scriptures will also be discussed during Sunday classes. The home study guide “includes a few pages of content that contains the scripture passage, an introduction paragraph, ideas, and prompts for scripture study and activities, as well as ideas for family home evening,” the church says. The manual is available digitally at lds.org. Anyone can go online and get a copy for free at https://www.lds.org/study/2019-come-follow-me?lang=eng.
The purpose of these changes is to encourage individuals and families to “improve gospel learning and living.” The word “gospel” means “good news.” The “good news” is that Heavenly Father has a plan for His children. His plan is a plan of happiness made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. President Russell M. Nelson, prophet, said, “Without our Redeemer’s infinite Atonement, not one of us would have hope of ever returning to our Heavenly Father. Without His Resurrection, death would be the end. Our Savior’s Atonement made eternal life a possibility and immortality a reality for all” (full text at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites everyone to follow Christ and live by and read the word of God – at home and at church. Church services at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are open to the public. Chapels are located in Ooltewah, Hixson, Chattanooga Valley, Signal Mountain, Dayton, Cleveland, Athens, and elsewhere, including Dalton.