The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent the following letter April 14, 2020, to Church members worldwide. Also see the latest updates on how COVID-19 is impacting Latter-day Saints around the world.
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
We gratefully acknowledge those who have joined with us in prayers and fasting for heaven’s help to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We know that God will hear and answer our prayers. We have been taught to be “anxiously engaged” in relieving suffering and caring for those in need (see Doctrine and Covenants 58:27).
To that end, we are joining with other organizations around the world to address specific needs related to the pandemic. For example, our Beehive Clothing facilities in Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Paraguay, and Utah are temporarily shifting their operations from the manufacture of religious clothing to the sewing of masks and gowns needed by local health care professionals and communities. In Utah, the Relief Society is leading our participation in a partnership between Latter-day Saint Charities, Intermountain Healthcare, and University of Utah Health. Church members, in their homes, will help sew 5 million clinical face masks, which will be donated to health-care workers.
To date, we have approved over 110 COVID-19 relief projects in 57 countries. Most of these are done with trusted partners from humanitarian agencies, health ministries and hospitals, which allows us to use our resources—including food, hygiene products, personal protective equipment, medical equipment, cash and other commodities—in places where they can do the most good.
We invite our members to participate in these and other relief projects in their areas and communities as opportunities arise and as local government directives and personal circumstances allow. May we be blessed in our efforts to care for others and provide hope and help to our Heavenly Father’s children everywhere.
Sincerely yours,
The First Presidency