The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on 12 March that due to COVID-19 all worship services and other church gatherings were suspended until further notice.
Read the announcement here.
Sunday 15 March was the first Sabbath day that Latter-day Saints did not meet in meetinghouses around the world. Instead, they gathered in their homes for gospel study, prayer and singing.
A New Zealand family gather in their home to worship on 15 March 2020.
A New Zealand family gather in their home to worship on 15 March 2020.© 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Ian S. Ardern, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, posted a message on social media about his and his wife, Sister Paula Ardern's home worship experience on Sunday.
Dear Fellow Pacific Area Saints
I hope you have enjoyed your Sabbath day. It would have been a little different to what you are used to in terms of the venue but not in purpose. Sister Ardern and I sang, (I realised once again that it is the congregation that carries my singing effort) prayed and then shared some scriptural insights from the Book of Mormon. It was a pleasant hour together.
Soon we will be worshiping again as congregations and enjoying the company of fellow Saints. In the interim, let us minister to each other the best we can. A phone call, a text, a visit and the many other ways to lift another are welcome reminders that we are not alone. Perhaps you can minister to another by sharing this message with someone who doesn’t follow this group...did a name come to mind?
In times as challenging as these let us remember to look up and not down. Our joy is in Christ (John 15:11).
Please be safe by following the reminders we are receiving from health officials.
We love you.
Elder Ian S. Ardern
Pacific Area Presidency.