Beginning in 2018, Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood meetings will start to look a little different. The new direction might be a little daunting for some members, but these new changes will help members build on Teaching in the Savior’s Way and use the new Come, Follow Me resources available on the Gospel Library App and lds.org. Here’s some more information to help you find more resources about and understand how each of the new Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood lesson changes will pan out.
First Sunday
“Our first-Sunday meeting will be a time to counsel together about our responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges as we do the work of the Lord,” lds.org states.
The goal of these counsels is for members to learn from each other, discuss ward needs, and be inclusive as challenges are identified and a plan is set to solve them with inspiration from the Spirit.
A list of topics for first-Sunday council meetings can be found here.
Second and Third Sunday
“On the second and third Sundays of each month, Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies study the teachings of the living prophets, Apostles, and other Church leaders from the most recent general conference. Any message from the most recent conference may be discussed.”
To review and apply the teachings from general conference in members' lives, talks such as “Turn on Your Light,” “Spiritual Eclipse,” and “The Trek Continues” may be studied on the second and third Sunday.
The Church recently published the November Ensign online, including all the talks from this most recent general conference. A list of the October 2017 general conference talks and suggested discussion questions can be found here.
Fourth Sunday
“On the fourth Sunday of each month, quorums, groups, and Relief Societies discuss a topic selected by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. These topics will be updated with every general conference.”
Until the next general conference, the topic discussed on the fourth Sundays will be the Sabbath day. To increase the quality of Sabbath day worship, members might focus on topics like “The Sabbath is a day to worship” or “Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath.”
A list of suggested topics surrounding the Sabbath day can be found here.