Church opens ward Sunday School presidencies to women

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that both women and men may be called to serve as a ward Sunday School president.

The change, effective immediately, was outlined in an official letter dated March 18, 2026.

Those who serve in the Church are called of God, and leaders seek the guidance of the Spirit in determining whom to call. In any given ward, Sunday School presidencies may at times be composed of men and at other times of women, based on circumstance in the unit and the inspiration of leaders, the letter stated.

Under the updated direction, if a woman is called as Sunday School president, her counselors and secretary must also be female members of the ward. Likewise, a male president must also be supported by male counselors and a male secretary. If the president is male, he must also hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Sunday School presidencies are responsible for leading efforts in each ward to strengthen gospel learning and teaching in homes and at church.

The letter also clarified that this adjustment applies only at the ward level.

At the stake level, the Sunday School president will continue to be a male Melchizedek Priesthood holder in the office of a high counselor.

The First Presidency concluded the announcement by expressing gratitude for members who serve faithfully in Church callings and seek to further the Lords work.

Latter-day Saint students at Brigham Young University were enthused by the update. BYU student Jake Arnold said he thinks the change is great.

It should be a good opportunity for the women of the Church to participate more in a role that I do not think needs to be held by a priesthood authority, Arnold said.

Paige Christensen, a BYU student, said it was something she had thought about before.

I would wonder, Why is that just men?'" Christensen said. But I love (the change) because Sunday school is for both men and women. You need both perspectives.

Another BYU student, Chloe Brown, said the change is important because it allows women to have their voices heard better in their local wards.

It gives women more opportunities to serve in different capacities where maybe their voice has not been heard before, Brown said. Women have a very different experience so having their perspective and allowing them to voice their opinion in a formal way is important.

Arnold echoed similar sentiments about the importance of perspectives from both genders.

Both men and women bring different ideas and strengths to the table to be better members of the Church of Jesus Christ together, Arnold said.

Brown noted that allowing women to fill this calling reflects the realities of a global Church, where the needs of wards and branches can differ widely.

We live in a global church. In different places, you might have more women in the ward. So to be able to have women serve in that capacity is really important, Brown said.

The change marks a shift in how local congregations can fill important callings, giving leaders more flexibility to meet the needs of their members worldwide.