LDS temples around the world will begin to resume ‘full operation’, faith leaders announce
Temples are operating on a restricted basis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) The Latter-day Saint Temple in Arequipa, Peru, is pictured in 2019. Religious leaders announced on Tuesday that temples around the world would gradually resume fully function.
Latter-day Saint temples around the world will gradually begin to resume normal operations as more people are immunized against COVID-19, the Utah-based faith announced Tuesday, including eliminating requirements for face masks and capacity limits.
The decision to resume full operations will be made by local church authorities “depending on local circumstances,” the ruling First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a press release. , which was also sent as a letter to the church. leaders around the world.
“Thank you for your patience during the restricted temple operations that have taken place due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the letter read. “We look forward to getting the temples back into full operation as soon as possible.”
The Utah-based faith announced in March 2020 that all temples would close or be open “by appointment only” across the world as the coronavirus pandemic upended worship practices.
Since then, the Temples of Faith have reopened in phases.
Latter-day Saints view a temple as a house of the Lord, where worshipers participate in rituals that unite families for eternity.