Collected Item: “Latter Day Saints, Religion, and COVID”
Title
Latter Day Saints, Religion, and COVID
Narrative or description
I was raised and am currently a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. COVID-19 has drastically changed the way that I as an individual worship. Before the pandemic, I attended church services or activities at least three times a week. Monday night was family home evening night. As a ward (congregation) we came together, shared a spiritual thought, had a prayer, and played some games, learned a new skill, watched a movie, or did a service activity. Wednesday night was institute night or bible study. For an hour and a half, I would sit with my friends, and we would learn more about the key figures in the Bible or Book of Mormon. This past semester I have been learning about the women in the scriptures. Sundays, we came together for service.
Where we partook of the sacrament, sang songs, listened to speakers, and held Sunday school. I haven’t had sacrament in over two months. The sacrament is a sacred ritual that we are encouraged to partake in weekly. It feels strange not to be able to take the bread and water. I no longer have those couple of quiet minutes sitting in my church building to reflect on my week and see what I could do better in the eyes of God. I miss having Bible studies every week. It is hard to be motivated to do it personally by myself and without in-person classes. But not everything has changed. Every six months, there is a broadcast of our general authorities or the head leaders of the church, giving us guidance and instructions for our lives. This broadcast still happened in April; there was just not a live audience. Over the last two years, our church leaders have emphasized the need to study at home and to take an active role in our personal learning with the gospel. They made a previously three-hour church to two hours to give us an extra hour at home to increase our own study. They have made guides with what scriptures we should read weekly, and questions/prompts to help guide our studies. This preparation for something like a pandemic has been beneficial. Already having something in place has made it easier to find ways to feel spiritually fulfilled.
Where we partook of the sacrament, sang songs, listened to speakers, and held Sunday school. I haven’t had sacrament in over two months. The sacrament is a sacred ritual that we are encouraged to partake in weekly. It feels strange not to be able to take the bread and water. I no longer have those couple of quiet minutes sitting in my church building to reflect on my week and see what I could do better in the eyes of God. I miss having Bible studies every week. It is hard to be motivated to do it personally by myself and without in-person classes. But not everything has changed. Every six months, there is a broadcast of our general authorities or the head leaders of the church, giving us guidance and instructions for our lives. This broadcast still happened in April; there was just not a live audience. Over the last two years, our church leaders have emphasized the need to study at home and to take an active role in our personal learning with the gospel. They made a previously three-hour church to two hours to give us an extra hour at home to increase our own study. They have made guides with what scriptures we should read weekly, and questions/prompts to help guide our studies. This preparation for something like a pandemic has been beneficial. Already having something in place has made it easier to find ways to feel spiritually fulfilled.
Denomination or tradition
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
State or territory
Texas
Name
[private]
Do you agree?
Yes