Church Update

At Meridian we receive numerous press releases and insider news pieces that we often don’t report just for time and space on the magazine. We are going to publish a weekly update or roundup of some of these news items and will publish it on Thursdays. These will be short abstracts that will then have a link to any stories you would like to know more details or read the full report. If you have interest in volunteering as an editor of this column (and you have reasonable editing and journalistic experience or are very organized and very interested in the growth of the Church worldwide) please CLICK HERE and drop us a note. Enjoy the report.

ONE

‘Lamb of God’ Makes New York City Debut at the Metropolitan Opera House
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Church Communications

“Lamb of God” — a sacred oratorio by Rob Gardner about Jesus Christ’s death, Atonement and Resurrection — made its New York City debut at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center on Monday, March 30, 2026. The concert, conducted by Gardner, was held in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is focusing this Easter season on the “greater love” of Christ, a phrase from John 15:13 in the New Testament: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

TWO

Sunday Meetings Schedule Change
Monday, March 30, 2026
The First Presidency

Beginning the first week of September 2026, the class schedule during Sunday worship will change. In the new schedule, sacrament meeting will continue to be no longer than 60 minutes. After a 5‑minute transition, youth and adults will attend a 25‑minute Sunday School class each week. Following another 5‑minute transition, they will attend a 25‑minute priesthood quorum, Relief Society, or Young Women meeting. Primary will continue to meet weekly and will now last 55 minutes. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

THREE

Seminary and Institute Enrollment Surpassed One Million
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Church Communications

As of this morning, more than one million students worldwide are enrolled in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marking an unprecedented milestone in the program’s more than 100-year history. Over the past two years, enrollment has increased significantly, with nearly 200,000 new students joining. Included in the one million currently enrolled are approximately 75,000 friends enrolled from other faiths — evidence that youth and young adults are gathering and inviting others in record numbers. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

FOUR

Elder and Sister Stevenson
to Address Young Adults in May
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Apostolic Ministry

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Lesa, will share a message about lifelong discipleship with young adults of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a worldwide devotional broadcast available on May 3, 2026, in the Americas and May 10 in other areas. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

FIVE

Aboriginal Art Invites All to Come to Christ at the Church History Museum
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Church History Museum

Just west of Temple Square a new exhibit at the Church History Museum by members of the Bird Family from Australia has begun.  “The Bird family uses traditional Aboriginal art styles and conventions to both honor their cultural heritage and express their faith in Jesus Christ,” said Church History Museum Director Riley Lorimer during the media event on Thursday.  The exhibit will be on display through August 1, 2026.
READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

SIX

Elder Andersen Encourages Pacific Saints to ‘Speak More of Christ’
Thusday, March 26, 2026
Apostolic Ministry

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Area to “speak more of Christ,” during a 12-day ministry assignment to Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji from March 11-22, 2026. “We love Him, we adore Him, we believe in Him, we trust in Him, and we trust in His sacred Atonement,” said the Apostle during a devotional in Auckland, New Zealand that was broadcast across the two New Zealand islands. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

SEVEN

New Volume of Eliza R. Snow’s Discourses Released!
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Church Historian’s Office

Eliza R. Snow was a writer, organizer, temple worker, and advocate for women. Her teachings about ministering, building Zion, and the divine potential of women continue to resonate with Latter-day Saints Today. Rise Up and Speak: Selected Discourses of Eliza R. Snow offers fifty-two of her most powerful and timeless discourses alongside careful annotation. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

EIGHT

Leaders of the Church Testify of Jesus Christ This Easter Season
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Church Communications

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are testifying of Jesus Christ this Easter season on their social media channels. The messages began with a video published Sunday, March 15, 2026, featuring President Dallin H. Oaks, President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson of the First Presidency. “This Easter season, we testify that Jesus Christ is risen. He lives. He is the Way. Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice and Resurrection are the ultimate evidence of God’s love,” said President Oaks. Includes seven Instagram posts from leaders. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

NINE

Statues Depicting Jesus Christ Unveiled at Temple Square
Wednesday, March 26, 2026
Temples Rising

Two new statues have debuted on the south side of the Salt Lake Temple, near the Temple Square Visitors’ Center plaza. Their placement comes at a meaningful time of year, the Easter season, which holds profound significance for Christians around the world as they commemorate the final week of Jesus Christ’s life, culminating in His Resurrection. The two statues, “Jesus Christ Carrying the Cross” and “Jesus Christ in Gethsemane,” are visible to the public, but they are in an area of Temple Square still under construction. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

TEN

Neighbors Helping Neighbors During Hawaiian Islands Flooding
Wednesday, March 26, 2026
Humanitarian Outreach

In response to the worst flooding the Hawaiian Islands have seen in two decades, local leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working with the community to meet immediate needs and to begin cleanup efforts. Church parking lots are being used to distribute water, food and fuel. O’ahu North Shore, Maui and Molokai are the most severely impacted. Hundreds of homes have been significantly damaged or destroyed. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

ELEVEN

Presiding Bishop Joins Humanitarian Leaders in London to Strengthen Collaboration and Express Gratitude
Wednesday, March 26, 2026
Humanitarian Outreach

“As we work together, we are able to reach many more people in need that we ever could reach on our own.” That message from Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Presiding Bishop of the Church, set the tone for a roundtable discussion in London focused on one clear priority: collaberation. Senior representatives from leading humanitarian organizations joined Bishop Waddell in Central London for the discussion. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.

TWELVE

Updates for Temples in Austria, Mexico and North Carolina
Monday, March 23, 2026
Temples Rising

Simple update: Renderings provided for the Vienna Austria and Culiacán Mexico Temples and new location announced for the Charlotte North Caroline Temple. READ ENTIRE RELEASE HERE.