President and Sister Nelson Talk about COVID-19’s Impact on Temples and Humanitarian Service

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with his wife, Wendy, recently sat down with Newsroom and Church News for nearly one hour to reflect on a variety of themes related to the coronavirus. In the first article, released last week, they focused on the impact of COVID-19 generally and how the Church and its membership have responded. 

See part 1.

‘The Largest Ever Humanitarian Project of the Church’

Referring to the impact of COVID-19, President Nelson said, “This has now become the largest-ever humanitarian project of the Church. Thus far, we have participated in more than 500 humanitarian aid projects in 160 countries.”

Each Church-sponsored service opportunity provides relief to people impacted by the deadly coronavirus.

“Where does all that money come from?” asked President Nelson. “Mostly from our members. Their voluntary fast offerings have actually increased, and their voluntary contributions to our humanitarian funds have increased greatly.”

As of June 2020, Latter-day Saint Charities and members of the Church around the world have donated hundreds of thousands of clinical face masks and medical-grade gowns for health care workers, as well ashygiene supplies, personal protective equipment and other cash and commodities to support COVID-19 relief efforts.

President Nelson said the monetary contributions and volunteered labor of Latter-day Saints are what enable the Church to extend a helping hand during times of need. “Much more time, effort and money will be required in the near future,” he said. “Members of the Church have labored passionately to render assistance to COVID-19 victims.”

President Nelson emphasized Latter-day Saints’ readiness to respond whenever there is a humanitarian need. “Our members are still helping out to feed the hungry, assist refugees, [and provide] labor to relieve damage caused by natural disasters wherever they occur throughout the world,” he said.

“[The pandemic is] unleashing the great, compassionate heart that people have,” added Sister Nelson.

Temple Closures and Reopenings: Temples Will Reopen ‘Cautiously and Carefully

In response to COVID-19, the Church’s First Presidency announced on March 25, 2020, that all Latter-day Saint temples would close.

For Latter-day Saints, temples are holy places of worship where they make sacred promises with Deity, including eternal marriage and baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors.

“The purpose of the Church is to bring the blessings of God to His children on both sides of the veil,” said President Nelson, referring to those living and those who have died. “Only in our temples do we receive the highest blessings that God has in store for His children.”

“We need to remember the fact that the earth was created so that God’s children could have access to the ultimate and supernal blessing of living in God’s holy presence with their families throughout all eternity,” he added.

As the prophet contemplated closing the temples, he said he found himself asking what he would say to past Church leaders, such as Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and Thomas S. Monson.

“It was painful. I was racked with worry,” said President Nelson. “We really had no alternative because of the contagious and deadly virus. Fortunately, those closures are only temporary, and temples will be reopened again — cautiously and carefully, in stages.”

Church leadership temporarily restricted entry to meetinghouses and temples worldwide. As of mid-June, more than half of the 160 Latter-day Saint temples have reopened in the first of four phases. Church meetinghouses are opening for sacrament meetings, as directed by their Area Presidency and local leaders, always in accordance with local government policy.

In the final article of this three-part series, to be published next week, President and Sister Nelson will share their thoughts on the future.