Pandemic part of God's plan
1. God was not surprised by or unprepared for the pandemic.
2. Come follow me home centered gospel learning
3. Ministering in a higher and holier way, more than just home visits every month
4. Prophets council to prepare physically and spiritually.
5. Things have slowed down.
6. Bigger focus on families
7. Time to study the gospel more.
8. Career changes
9. Video conference technology, zoom, webcams, internet, social media
10. Temple renovations like Salt Lake, St George, Church Office Plaza while visitors not allowed
11. Employees work from home spend more time with family, less time at office or commuting. Parents at home during lunch
12. Missionaries allowed to call home every week to connect with family, share spiritual experiences.
13. Missionaries given tablets then smart phones so they can run apps like Google hang outs, zoom
14. Missionary work forced to change to new and better methods, do more on line, on the phones with video conference, not knocking doors. Baptisms are up.
15. Young men activities separated from Boy Scouts, merit badges, Scout camps.
16. Women were allowed to get endowed without serving missions, thus allowing sealings now.
17. Starting sifting process.
18. Some less actives are joining zoom church.
19. Heightened joy in the return of temple ordinances
20. Easier to see the Lord's hand in our lives.
21. Families prepare and partake of sacrament in our homes.
22. More families together at home more
23. Two months before Covid hit all the classes changed at the start of the year, so all the teachers in classes could get to know them before church was canceled.
24. A survey for education publishers Pearson found that nine out of 10 fathers said that being part of their child’s learning over the last year has made them feel closer to their child, and that almost three quarters were worried they would not be able to maintain their level of involvement once things return to normal.
25. May 2018 Civil marriages no longer must wait one year to be sealed in the temple. Marriages lined up and paid for when the temple closed. Then phase I allowed them to be sealed without waiting a year.
26.
How has the pandemic affected us?
1. Unable to work in doors with others for some jobs.
2. Some people laid off from work
3. Economy slowed down
4. Some people work from home
5. Unable to meet together for church
6. Unable to attend regular Temple sessions
7. Reduced extended family gatherings
8. Reduced entertainment options
9. Reduced vacation, business and international travel
10. Home school
11.
What have we learned during these recent months of lifestyle adjustments and restrictions?
Missionaries father at funeral. He forthrightly declared that he personally did not understand the reasons or timing for such an event. But I always will remember this good man also declaring that he knew God knew the reasons and timing for the passing of his child—and that was good enough for him.
Elder holland
“We are witnessing an ever greater movement toward polarity. The middle-ground options will be removed from us as Latter-day Saints. The middle of the road will be withdrawn.
“If you are treading water in the current of a river, you will go somewhere. You simply will go wherever the current takes you. Going with the stream, following the tide, drifting in the current will not do.
“Choices have to be made. Not making a choice is a choice. Learn to choose now.