New Guidelines Released For Resuming Sunday Services Amid COVID-19

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints may soon start to look forward to meeting in person worldwide.

The Church announced a soft reopening of services and other activities during the pandemic.

While plans remain in place to hold General Conference virtually in October, weekly Sunday worship can resume once again, as local circumstances permit and with certain protocols in place.

“Depending on local conditions, and with the oversight of the bishop, weekly sacrament meetings can be held virtually, safely in person or by hybrid in-person and virtual broadcasts,” a statement released Friday said.

Some areas of homes may still receive the sacrament in their homes.

“We have social bubbles, so one household is allowed to bubble with another household. You can’t go inside someone’s house unless you are in each other’s bubble,” said Zara Long of the COVID safety measures in her region of Wales, Great Britain.

In accordance with local circumstances, worship services have been different for members of the Church for several months.

“As far as the impact of COVID on the Church, it has been a mixture,” Salt Lake resident Natalie Young said of how worship services have adapted since March.

“We can only have 30 people in our building, including ushers and whoever gives the sacrament,” said Long. “They had to fill out a questionnaire before being cleared to attend.”

Young and Long are friends and former missionary companions.

Long was planning to visit Young in Utah this summer, but when the pandemic hit, her plans also changed.

“We had so many plans of what we were going to do,” Long said. “It was very sad when I couldn’t come over and see everybody.”

The announcement from the First Presidency of the Church was emailed to members Friday, giving the green light for Sunday services to resume when circumstances allow, under the direction of local area authorities.

Effective immediately, weekly services, including youth activities, may resume in a variety of ways — virtually, in-person with social distancing, or in a hybrid format.

“We got to go to a shortened service two weeks ago. To actually be in the building, I didn’t realize how much I missed it,” Long said.

The announcement also stated that stake conferences may resume virtually in November, or with careful socially distancing.

Church leaders still encouraged virtual meetings for members who were not able to worship in person and where local health restrictions are in place.

“Area Presidencies, under the guidance of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, are tasked with approving meetings and activities in their areas,” the announcement stated.

An in-person reunion was still in the future for Young and Long, as they find reassurance in the announcement.

“Life is going to carry on one day and I don’t want to forget,” Long said. “I don’t think we will ever be the same again because I don’t think we will be able to take these things for granted anymore.”

Additional details can be found at the Church’s website.