Pres. Nelson Calls For 2nd Global Fast For Relief From Coronavirus Pandemic
Apr 4, 2020, 8:11 PM | Updated: 9:39 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – During the Saturday evening special session of General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called on a special fast to be held on Good Friday.
He first called on a special fast nine days earlier, asking both members of the faith and non-members to participate in the monthly “Fast Sunday,” and devote their efforts to relief from the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
“As a physician and surgeon, I have great admiration for medical professionals, scientists, and all who are working around the clock to curb the spread of COVID-19,” President Nelson said in March.
Before becoming an apostle and eventually the president of the Church, he was a pioneer of open-heart surgery.
“I am calling for another worldwide fast,” says @NelsonRussellM President of @Ch_JesusChrist
Invites all, including those not of the faith, to fast and pray on #GoodFriday, April 10th, for relief from the #COVID19 #Pandemic #GeneralConference @KSL5TV @KSLcom @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/D3KUy7FF4R
— Ladd Egan (@laddegan) April 5, 2020
“I am also a man of faith,” he said. “I know that during these challenging times, we can be strengthened and lifted as we call upon God and his Son, Jesus Christ — the Master Healer.”
At the end of his remarks Saturday evening, President Nelson spoke about the role of fasting in ancient times.
“The Savior Himself declared that certain things go ‘not out but by prayer and fasting,’” he said, quoting a phrase attributed to Jesus Christ in the gospels of Matthew and Mark in the New Testament.
“As part of our April 2020 general conference, I am calling for another worldwide fast. For all whose health may permit, let us fast, pray, and unite our faith once again. Let us prayerfully plead for relief from this global pandemic,” President Nelson said. “I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10th, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”
As of Saturday evening, there have been over 1.2 million confirmed cases of coronavirus, with nearly 65,000 deaths.
There have been over 312,000 confirmed cases in the United States.
“Let us unite in pleading for healing throughout the world,” President Nelson said.
