See also Jews

A meetingplace used for religious purposes. In New Testament times, the furniture generally was simple, consisting of an ark containing the rolls of the law and other sacred writings, a reading desk, and seats for the worshipers.

A local council of elders managed each synagogue. They decided who should be admitted and who should be excluded (John 9: 22; 12: 42). The most important official was the ruler of the synagogue (Luke 13: 14; Mark 5: 22). He generally was a scribe, had care of the building, and supervised the services. An attendant performed clerical duties (Luke 4: 20).

There was a synagogue in every town where Jews were living, both in Palestine and elsewhere. This was a great help in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ because early missionaries of the Church usually could speak in the synagogues (Acts 13: 5, 14; 14: 1; 17: 1, 10; 18: 4). This same practice existed among missionaries in the Book of Mormon (Alma 16: 13; 21: 4-5; 32: 1), as well as among early missionaries in this dispensation (D&C 66: 7; 68: 1).