The John Witmer Historical Association claims to have released the first photo of, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith. Photo: Getty Images
SALT LAKE CITY — The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a return to regular Temple operations in a letter to church leaders on Tuesday. The church previously restricted operations to ease the spread of COVID-19.
Temples around the world can slowly return to normal operations, according to the church. This change comes now that more people are vaccinated.
A return to normal means that face masks may no longer be required, and that capacity limits don’t need to be enforced.
What a return to normal looks like will vary from location to location, depending on local circumstances. The church said temple and Area Presidencies would make operational decisions in consultation with the Temple Department.
This guidance follows the church’s actions in February when church leaders were asked to use local health guidelines to help decide whether masks should be worn during church activities. Temples still had a mask requirement at that time.
The letter encouraged temple presidencies to make plans to start the return to normal operations.