Mormon church suspends temple activities over virus

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press
Updated 12:06 am CDT, Thursday, March 26, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is suspending all temple activity due to concerns over the coronavirus.

The Utah-based faith said Wednesday that the temporary suspension would start at the end of the day, said Irene Caso, a church spokeswoman. The church said the decision was made after careful consideration and "with a desire to be responsible global citizens."

Meanwhile, a Utah county hard hit by the new coronavirus is telling residents to stay home except for essential errands and asking visitors to the ski-resort community of Park City to stay away.

. . .

The order tells people who live not to leave their homes except for essential reasons, like grocery shopping and picking up medications. Residents can go outside for walks but must stay at least six feet away from others, known as social distancing.


Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Summit-County-issues-stay-home-order-to-handle-15157506.php

[hlthe2b]

1. At least they are joining more liberal (non-fundy) churches in not propagating

My contempt for the Falwells and other Trump sycophantic "so-called religious leaders" who are angrily demanding to hold their mega crowded church services runneth over. I thought it had reached peak capacity. Clearly it had not.

[ffr]

2. I imagine their flock is conflicted about this

Why not business as usual. Their leader says the number of cases will soon be down to zero, will go away as the season gets warmer, it'll be like a MIRACLE! It's language they understand. So why be cautious?

Weird.

[Turin_C3PO]

3. I'm not sure how accurate this is, but

my brother lives in Utah and says Trump is not very well liked among Mormons. But says they’ll still vote for him over a Democrat.

[ffr]

4. Sounds completely accurate then. I know many mormons too

They're just like you call it. Must be hard to reconcile for them.

[rickyhall]

5. I don't think Mormons have a problem with science.

[Kali]

8. well, at least not medical science

lots of good Mormon doctors around here.

[ChazII]

6. The stake which is one house

away from mine closed two weeks ago for church activities. At the most I have seen three cars in the parking lot.

[Nonhlanhla]

7. i think they shut down services a few weeks ago

I read that they had shut down church services worldwide about 2-3 weeks ago. I guess this now includes smaller gatherings as well. Most churches have shut down services - it's just the fundies that are acting like the idiots they are.

[mr_lebowski]

9. Closing the Temples is like if the Catholics shut The Vatican and the Pope just went home (nt)