Primary General President Offers Prayer at White House

“Please help us to unite as one nation under God,” said Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, during a prayer at the White House in Washington, D.C., Thursday May 2, 2019.

The worldwide leader of the Church’s children’s organization joined faith leaders from across the country to offer prayers on the National Day of Prayer. 

“We express our gratitude for Thy goodness and mercy,” said Sister Jones, who was accompanied by her husband, Robert, in the Rose Garden for the morning ceremony. “We thank Thee for the freedoms we enjoy. We acknowledge our accountability to Thee, and to each other, for how we exercise those freedoms.” (Read her full prayer here.)

This is the second year in a row that a general leader of the Church has been invited to participate in the annual interfaith event. It was just one year ago that Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, offered a prayer on behalf of the Church.

Sister Jones continued, “We give thanks for the infinite grace of Thy Son Jesus Christ. May we draw on His example and strength as we seek to lift Thy children, to care for the widows and the wounded, and to serve the poor of both purse and spirit.” 

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation earlier this week designating May 2 as a National Day of Prayer.

“We condemn all hate and violence, particularly in our places of worship," said President Trump.

“I invite the citizens of our nation to pray, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, in thanksgiving for the freedoms and blessings we have received, and for God’s guidance and continued protection as we meet the challenges before us,” he said.

To watch the event, visit the White House YouTube channel. (Begins at 32:10.)