Download PhotoThe First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that on Palm Sunday — March 29, 2026 — local congregations will hold a one-hour sacrament meeting unless a stake conference has already been scheduled. This is due to the Church’s annual general conference broadcast falling on Easter weekend.
In a letter about celebrating this Easter season shared with local leaders on Thursday, January 22, the First Presidency noted that Palm Sunday, Easter and general conference are “wonderful opportunities” to commemorate the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection through music and inspired messages.
“Nearly 2,000 years ago, Palm Sunday marked the beginning of the last week of the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ. It was the most important week in human history,” said Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the April 2023 general conference.
He continued: “What began with the heralding of Jesus as the promised Messiah in His triumphant entry into Jerusalem closed with His Crucifixion and Resurrection. By divine design, His atoning sacrifice concluded His mortal ministry, making it possible for us to live with our Heavenly Father for eternity.”
The following weekend, people around the world are invited to gather for the Church’s 196th Annual General Conference on April 4–5, 2026. The broadcast will stream live from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, in dozens of languages.
During the Easter season, the Church of Jesus Christ will focus on better understanding and emulating the “greater love” of Jesus 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.”
“With Easter joy, we sing, ‘Death is conquered; man is free. Christ has won the victory.’ Christ’s Resurrection frees us from death, from time’s frailties and physicality’s imperfections. Jesus Christ’s Atonement also restores us spiritually,” said Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the April 2025 general conference. “He bled from every pore, weeping blood as it were, to provide us escape from sin and separation. He reunites us, whole and holy, with each other and God. In all good things, Jesus Christ restores abundantly — not only what was but also what can be.”