The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has temporarily cancelled all meetings and activities as a preventative measure against COVID-19 coronavirus. (Photo credit: newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org)
SALT LAKE CITY — Effective immediately, all meetings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been temporarily canceled worldwide.
“Beginning immediately, all public gatherings of church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice,” the First Presidency announced in a statement.
“This includes stake conferences, leadership conferences and other large gatherings; all public worship services, including sacrament meetings; (and) branch, ward and stake activities.”
The announcement from the First Presidency comes the same day that Utah Gov. Gary Herbert asked many organizations to limit gathers to just 100 people. Gov. Herbert requested that this practice begin immediately and continue for two weeks.
And the Governor had another specific request which points to one of the groups most susceptible to becoming very sick if they were to become infected with COVID-19 coronavirus. He asked people aged 60 and over, as well as those with immunodeficiencies to avoid groups of people where there are more than 20 people.
In its statement, the Church also requested that leadership meetings be conducted online.
KSL Newsradio afternoon host Jeff Caplan broke this announcement with Boyd Matheson, host of KSL Newsradio’s ‘Inside Sources,’ on Thursday. You can listen to the conversation below.