The beginning of the 1980s marked the beginning of a new Sunday meeting schedule for Church members. In February 1980, the First Presidency announced the new consolidated meeting schedule.
Previously tested by 15 stakes in a pilot program, the consolidated meeting schedule began March 2 in the United States and Canada and May 4 in the remaining areas of the world.There were several purposes for the change, which called for all priesthood, Sunday School, sacrament, and former weekday auxiliary meetings to be held within a three-hour time block on Sunday. A First Presidency letter said the change was "to provide more time for giving attention to family life, individual study, self improvement, and Christian service." The change also helped support energy-saving efforts and helped members reduce costs of traveling to and from meetings.
In October 1988, minor modifications were made, including Sunday School opening exercises with a hymn-singing period.
