In another response to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary adjustments will be made to missionary work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leaders announced Monday morning.
Missionaries will continue to be called to serve and assigned to labor in missions worldwide, according to a statement from Church leaders. “Missionary recommendations will continue to be received, and missionary assignments for worldwide service will continue to be made.”
However, in an effort to adapt to constantly changing conditions and out of “an abundance of caution,” Church leaders are implementing temporary adjustments to missionary service.
These changes include:
- Young missionary elders currently serving in missions within the United States and Canada — who would complete their mission on or before Sept. 1, 2020 — may be released after they have served for 21 months. The length of service for sister missionaries serving in the United States and Canada will not be impacted by the adjustments.
- Young missionaries with health issues and senior missionaries may be released from service.
- Some missionaries may be temporarily reassigned to another mission.
“Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ remains a sacred priority for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even in the current circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Church leaders in a statement. “We continue to monitor the spread of this condition and its impact on missionaries worldwide. We take very seriously the health and safety of our missionaries and of those they teach.”
Young missionaries needing to work primarily from their apartments “will continue teaching using technology, studying the scriptures and “Preach My Gospel,” language learning, family history, online community service and other activities as identified by the mission president,” according to the statement.
In addition, “missionaries are encouraged to stay in contact with their families frequently and to take opportunities to leave their apartments for periods of exercise and fresh air, while observing wise guidelines for personal contact.”
Church leaders will continue to monitor conditions and make further adjustments as needed. “As a Church, we express our love and appreciation for all missionaries as they strive to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and share His love wherever they serve,” wrote leaders in the statement.
Missionary work has been impacted by epidemics during other times in history.
Missionary work in Hong Kong was affected by the SARS outbreak in 2003. And following an outbreak of Ebola in Liberia, missionaries were moved out of the West African nation in August 2014; young missionaries returned in September 2015. Missionary work was also disrupted in Madagascar following an outbreak of the plague in October 2017.
In June 2009, the spread of swine flu prompted Church leaders to change MTC drop-off protocols. In addition, a suspected stomach flu/norovirus impacted 250 Latter-day Saint missionaries in the Provo Missionary Training Center in January 2013.
The Church slowed the expansion of Latter-day Saint missions during World War II. Missionary work continued, however, despite many men being drafted into military service.
