Exterior photo of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
SALT LAKE CITY — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that all of the faith’s temples have now reopened for at least some ordinances.
The church’s 168 dedicated temples closed in March of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic which forced more than 15 months of closures.
All of Utah’s 17 temples will resume Phase 3 operations by the end of July allowing some members of the church to schedule appointments to worship and perform ordinances for themselves and their ancestors.
“With the re-opening of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple today, every temple in the world has now reopened and resumed some level of operations! We may now serve and worship the Lord in these sacred edifices the world over and participate in precious ordinances. This is cause for celebration!” President Nelson wrote on Monday.
“I will never forget the day near the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic when we had to make the excruciating decision to close the temples. The rapid spread of the virus made this decision inevitable, but it was a painful one. I couldn’t help but wonder how the Prophet Joseph Smith and all of my predecessors would feel about the action we were taking.
“But now, with the temples open, our work for those on both sides of the veil can be resumed. To have all our temples reopened, at least to some degree, is a cause for rejoicing.
“I am grateful for the many scientists, health care workers, and leaders who have stemmed the tide of this virus such that we can now safely gather in larger numbers. And I thank you, my dear brothers and sisters, for your patience and worthiness to serve.
“May we cherish the blessings of the House of the Lord and attend the temple as often as our circumstances permit,” he continued.