On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a message urging members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to wear masks in public meetings when social distancing is not possible. We asked our readers to share the reactions they saw from their local leaders in the week following its release. We appreciate all who responded. The goal of this post is to share a collection of the responses without https://exponentii.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_5173-scaled-1.jpgializing. The views expressed are those of the individual contributors and may not reflect the views of the Exponent II organization or any of its members. Some responses have been edited for length.

In the collection of responses, it is evident that even within close geographic areas, there was significant variation regarding how local leaders addressed the First Presidency letter. Some of our readers heard their leaders read the entire letter from the pulpit, with all on the stand wearing masks. Other readers did not hear anything from their leaders about the letter. Some heard counsel on masks, but no counsel regarding vaccines. Some readers saw few changes as their wards were already implementing multiple safety measures, some saw safety measures re-implemented after having been lessened in recent months, and others saw no changes and few if any safety measures. While most readers shared the response of male church leaders, one shared that prior to this letter, their ward had called two female COVID specialists and has female ward council members actively involved in setting procedures. Another reported reading the First Presidency letter to her Primary class so the kids could hear the message directly. Readers reported mixed experiences with safety measures in Primary and at youth activities. Some readers worry that a lack of safety measures will prevent them or vulnerable family members from being able to attend worship services in person, while other readers worry that due to medical conditions preventing their personal wearing of masks, they will be unwelcome in worship services. Opportunity to participate in worship over Zoom varied, as did local government mandates regarding safety measures.

*********

Spunky – Australia:

I am in Australia and we are on online church. No one said a word about the message.

Benita – Washington:

My bishop sent an email to the ward asking everyone to wear a mask, referring specifically to the First Presidency’s message. I don’t know how many in the congregation wore masks, but everyone on the stand did. I participated by Zoom, because I had come home from the hospital on Thursday, recovering from surgery. I noticed in his email that he also reminded people that anyone who didn’t feel comfortable attending church in person was invited to use Zoom. No comments from ward Relief Society leadership. (Our governor just announced that masks are again mandated for all 5 and over in indoor spaces, taking effect next Monday. Previously announced statewide mask mandate for schools, and now a vaccine mandate for all K12, college, and licensed daycare workers.)

Danielle – Seattle, Washington:

Our ward had already been pretty much fully masking due to the increase in cases, even though our vaccination rate is pretty high, so the FP message didn’t really change anything.
Being a member of the ward council during this whole pandemic, I would say that another female member and myself have been fairly outspoken in our opinions on how to handle things. We also had two ward covid specialists called back around February to help us figure out when/how to go back to meeting in person. Both of them are female and have been highly respected and often deferred to in making decisions.
As for this past Sunday, everyone was masked without complaint, and a bishopric member read the FP letter aloud over the pulpit. Sacrament bread is still (and may always be) distributed in individual sacrament cups by masked, gloved, hand sanitized priesthood holders. Everyone who walks up to the pulpit wipes it down after they are done speaking.
I have to say, there is really nowhere I’d rather be going to church through this pandemic. Our ward gets an A+ for handling this so so well. I am incredibly grateful.

Em – Eugene, Oregon:

Got an email from the stake presidency informing us that the Governor had reinstituted a mask mandate in public places, and that everyone age 5 and up would be required to wear one at church, though singing and sacrament would be allowed (removing only to slip in the bread and water). They also sent a link to the First Presidency message, telling us we had received counsel to wear masks and be vaccinated. If wearing a mask is “physically or otherwise” an issue for you, please stay at home and take advantage of your ward’s broadcast, while finding other ways to serve and love. I wasn’t at church and couldn’t see the congregation in the broadcast, but a friend who was there said that attendance was way down but everyone was wearing masks. I’m grateful to live in a place where they’re taking this seriously and the congregation has been willing to follow guidance on it.

Kellie – Eugene, Oregon:

My Bishop read the statement from the pulpit and everyone at church was masked.

Naoimi – Corvallis, Oregon:

The First Presidency message came out the same week that the governor of Oregon reinstated a state-wide mask mandate for indoor public spaces. Our stake president emailed the message to everyone in the stake and on Sunday we went back to fully masked meetings and sitting every other row in the chapel. We had never stopped offering a Zoom sacrament meeting option (the broadcast ends when it’s time for the sacrament to be blessed and passed, but you can listen to the talks from home). Attendance was low in my ward, but everybody there wore a mask.

KDER – Bay Area, California:

It was mentioned briefly, but only masks-which were mandatory. No mention of vaccine. One female speaker joked asking, if “anyone was going to panic” if she took off her mask during her speech.

Jen – Idaho:

Our bishopric sent out an email soon after the guidelines were released strongly encouraging members to wear masks, but also explaining that there would be additional rows of seating in the back of the chapel/cultural hall for those who would prefer to distance themselves instead. I’d say 75% wore masks.

Heather – Idaho:

Not a peep from anyone—bishopric just wore masks. Only 5 members wore masks.

Sally – Las Vegas, Nevada:

We have to follow government guidelines and our governor is pretty strict. We went without masks for just a little while recently, but governor mandated masks again a few weeks ago, so we have been wearing them and social distance using every other pew. Everyone in the ward follows it. The entire letter was read last week over the pulpit. I know many people don’t want to wear the masks, but everyone does due to government regulation.

H – Provo, Utah:

Full letter was read over the pulpit. High council speaker spoke on following the prophet, closing prayer prayed for everyone to wear masks and get vaccines. Bishop sent a letter asking everyone to wear masks and read the talk “Lord, Is it I?”

A Poor Wayfaring Stranger – Provo, Utah:

Our bishop and SP finally sent out a notice yesterday-a week after the FP email. All they said was to pray about the matter. As a Covid Longhauler of 15 months I am really angry about their casual attitude to an extremely serious and life threatening situation. Our SP got Covid in the spring and was in the ICU for six weeks where he nearly died twice. You would think that he, of all people, would be working as diligently as possible to remind bishops and members of the stake just how deadly Covid can be. I refuse to go anywhere near our church building and the vast majority of the ward members because of my own health situation. Our bishop’s attitude is that if we have enough faith we won’t get Covid. I can’t sustain someone who has such an ignorant attitude. Besides, if a ward member gets Covid does that mean that they are lacking in faith? Thinking people know what the true answer to that question is, but for a large majority of the ward who refuse to follow masking and social distancing protocols or get vaccinations they tar with a very large brush anyone who gets sick. As I am the lone Longhauler I feel like my status is on par with the sons of perdition. I’m to be shunned. My heart is not broken because I have never felt like I belonged in my ward. Staying home with my husband (who’s also been an outsider since our ward was created) and staying safe has given us the blessed opportunity to learn to love Sundays again. We study the scriptures using the best resources that we’ve been able to find to aid our study (most would not be on the church’s approved reading list) and discuss them in a way that no Sunday School class would. Then we watch an episode of “The Chosen” which is about the Savior’s earthly ministry. Sometimes we’ll listen to an inspiring talk or sermon. So, even though we’re the current ward outcasts during the pandemic the Lord has blessed us with great and wonderful spiritual experiences that we’d have missed out on if we’d followed the crowd and taken our lives in our hands just to go to church.

Elisa – Utah County, Utah:

1) Nothing from the stake, although I know they sent leadership the letter on Saturday and said “this is your responsibility.” 2) we got our weekly pre-sunday email with announcements and the sacrament program a couple of days after the letter came out and it said nothing about masks (which have not been required for some time). 3) late Saturday night we got an email from the bishop forwarding the letter and asking us to wear masks. They were also passing masks out Sunday morning but they ran out quickly.

A lot of people in the chapel were wearing masks (that they’d been handed) but the overflow / cultural hall was probably only 25% or less masked. I don’t know what happened second hour because we didn’t stay when we saw how few were masked.

I think the attitude is currently exactly what it was the first time we required masks – they say they are required, but they also say “but don’t you dare make anyone who doesn’t wear a mask feel bad or excluded.” (That attitude has been expressed in both word and deed. It drives me absolutely nuts because masks are the inclusive option and it is quite a twilight zone to leave church because you are the only ones following the rules. Setting aside what you do in your personal life, if church asks you to wear masks at church just do it. They own the building and they can tell people to wear masks. Seriously.)

Shanna – Utah County, Utah:

The letter was not read or mentioned at all. The bishopric was masked as well as the organist and her husband which was different from two weeks prior where only one counselor in the leadership was masked. Very few masks in the congregation. The priesthood preparing and passing the sacrament was masked but those came off as soon as the administration of the sacrament was done.

H.S. – Pleasant Grove, Utah:

In my ward we had less than 5% masking before the First Presidency email and no social distancing. I am at high-risk and have been watching Sacrament Meeting via Zoom, though my fully-vaccinated husband attended in-person to help with the music. After the FP email, the stake sent out an email advocating the importance of obedience, but it didn’t mention masks or any change to COVID-19 preventative measures in the stake. No mention of the email over the pulpit, no masks worn by members of the bishopric, EQ presidency, or RS presidency. No female perspective. At best, we had 20% masking post-email. My bishop did voice support on FB for a sister who shared copy-paste “personal revelation” that she can ignore the FP guidance and that she shouldn’t get vaccinated. My husband was so disturbed by that that he won’t be attending in person anymore either (to protect me, since no one in the ward is taking COVID-19 seriously).

Wenwin – Southern Utah:

No mention of the letter. No masks in the congregation. SP was our main speaker. Bishopric not masked. Covid was not mentioned once. No social distancing.

Melissa – Ogden, Utah:

No one read it over the pulpit. A few more people than usual were wearing masks in Sacrament Meeting. I read it to my Primary class of 11-year-olds. I wanted to make sure they could hear and understand it themselves.

Amanda – Salt Lake City, Utah:

We have always been every other pew. Masks were optional for vaccinated people for only a few months, but even then all primary children and leaders were required to mask. We went back to highly recommended masks in July. Letter was emailed out earlier in week, but no mention at church. Virtually 100 percent with masks.

Holly – Salt Lake City, Utah:

Complete radio silence. No email from our bishop or our SP. No announcement over the pulpit. Seven same people wearing masks (we are four). It was as if the official declaration never happened. I just don’t understand. Needless to say, we will be attending via Zoom now. Indefinitely.

Steve – Salt Lake City, Utah:

My ward went back to masks and social distancing the week before the letter was issued. The Bishop said in an effort to protect the vulnerable (seniors and young children) in our ward, we will be required to wear masks in the church building. People who aren’t comfortable or unable to wear a mask are asked to attend via Zoom. Ushers hand masks to anyone who shows up without one if they would like to stay, otherwise they are asked to attend online.

SML – Wasatch County UT (Heber/Midway area):

Nothing was said between when the letter came out and Sunday meetings. At our in-person sacrament meeting (Zoom has been discontinued for a few weeks now and masks are no longer required), the letter was read, and it was stated that the stake presidency had asked for the letter to be shared over the pulpit. The bishopric member who read the letter urged us to pray about the counsel given in the letter. 2/3 of the bishopric were masked, and there was a slight uptick in mask wearing overall (maybe about 10-15% wearing them up from essentially zero last week). The bishopric member told me after the meeting that the Zoom option would likely be reinstated, but there is no word on that yet.

SMH – Utah west of Salt Lake City:

Nothing in our meetings re: 1st Pres. Letter. Deacons are masked during sacrament which is still served in individual cups. Stand is not wiped down between speakers anymore. Primary and weekly activities are pre-pandemic standard. There is still a broadcast option for folks at home. Some of the elderly members still wear masks. Chapel seating is pre-pandemic and numbers are increasing due to home construction in the area. Many new families don’t mask. Our county covid numbers are highest per capita in the state at the moment.

April – Thatcher, Arizona and South Jordan, Utah:

I went to a wedding in Thatcher, Arizona last weekend. The temple workers were wearing masks but not the guests. I did not attend church there on Sunday, but my extended family members said they returned to all their previous pandemic rules which had since been relaxed, besides masks, they also went back to seating only every other row and individual cups for bread.

My own stake presidency in South Jordan, Utah sent an email encouraging everyone to be vaccinated and mentioned that the stake presidency themselves had been vaccinated. They said that masks would be required again at church in our stake. (They had lifted mask-wearing rules a few months back.) They also added that church members can choose to watch church via Zoom instead of attending in person, which seems to me like a good option for immune-compromised and anti-maskers alike.

Valerie – Southern Arizona:

First counsellor in our bishopric read the part about social distancing and pointed out that every other row in the area where the pews were was roped off. It was a free for all in the overflow section, where we sit. We had tried to social distance but a 20-something, who was unmasked and who I know is anti mask, anti vaccination, sat in the row directly in front of us. First counselor didn’t read the part about masks strongly urged, instead he said masks were optional. We had a Stake HC speaking (no one on the stand wore masks) and he specifically said how happy he was to see people’s faces. Made me sick, my husband and I were the only adults wearing masks. However, in other wards in our stake, people on the stand were masked. I know a friend in Tucson whose SP said “back to wearing masks, folks.”
Another thing that I shake my head over is how people are NOW saying, well it’s SO important to follow the prophet, isn’t it great that he and the First Presidency made that statement? After how many people have died or become very ill?

Jason – Peoria, Arizona:

At 10pm Saturday night an email went out urging masks at church, and to be christlike to each other about our choices. Only a dozen wore them the next day. We had speaker after speaker gaslight us about how we “choose” to be offended. How it’s unchristlike to take issue with those who choose differently than us. That we need to come together and accept those who think differently than us. Oddly this never applied to all the young girls lectured or sent home from an activity for short shorts though. This is all to be expected on Peoria Arizona though, not surprised. To add there is no zoom option.

Anon – Southwestern US:

We were back to seating every other pew and were told to only sit by household. Less than 10% of people were wearing masks. The bishopric and high council were not wearing them. The letter was not read.

I’m honestly fine with this reaction. It complies with the letter, since masks were only required if social distancing could not be maintained, and social distancing was maintained. I have a medical condition that prevents the wearing of a mask, and I was afraid I would be turned away at the door and called unchristlike for my disability, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was a non-issue. I was glad to still be welcomed in God’s house.

Cierra – Colorado:

Here in Colorado we were told that the ward wasn’t going to tell anyone to wear or not wear a mask. That it’s the individuals choice. Additionally, that social distancing of rows will take place. Masks were not encouraged at all.

Elisabeth – Texas:

Part of the letter was read out loud mentioning only the parts about wearing masks. The speaker called it a letter from the stake presidency. Typically no matter how interesting letters from the first presidency or stake presidency are read in full. More people were wearing masks, but I think we need more promotion of vaccines.

Clara – South Central Missouri:

Our bishop emphasized choice and only those passing the sacrament wore masks. His remarks are very much in line with the political climate here in MO.

Tygan – Wisconsin:

Because of changes to county guidelines, my Wisconsin ward actually started requiring everyone to wear a mask a week or two before the first presidency message. Once the message was released, the bishopric read it from the pulpit. I believe it was read from the pulpit for all units in the stake, but I’m not certain.

E.C. – Ohio:

We got emails from our stake president and bishop. The salient section from the stake president: ”1. First and foremost, we ask that you confidently and faithfully follow the recommendations found in the First Presidency’s 12 August 2021 statement 2. Please continue to conduct in-person local Church meetings. . . 3. Urge those who attend local in-person Church meetings to wear a facial covering if social distancing is not practical A) All of us should be polite, never rude, or contentious in these matters B) Offer to accommodate others as possible to respectfully make things work 4. Local leaders may consider broadcasting Sabbath meetings to individuals who cannot or are unable to attend after notifying the Stake President 5. Individuals who are sick should not attend in person meetings”

And from our bishop: “In line with [the letter from the First Presidency] and observing that we cannot practice physical distancing during our Sunday meetings, Gahanna Ward is going to be following the Prophet’s urging to use face coverings for all in attendance beginning this coming Sunday. I am thankful for President Nelson – an inspired Prophet who leads God’s kingdom on Earth with love and wisdom during these unusual times.”

In general, the response in my ward/stake has been on the side of mollifying those who don’t want to wear masks or be vaccinated. Primary teachers in our ward were instructed to wear masks, but the first Sunday we attended after the CDC announcement in May, neither nursery instructor was wearing a mask. The email from the Primary President assuring us Primary teachers would wear masks was the only instance of a female leader discussing masks at all. We received no information (at least digitally) from a Primary or RS leader following the FP letter.

[Follow up report] Our ward did in fact have everyone masking today (though not everyone wore them correctly). My husband said that at Wednesday night boys activity days last week about 80% (parents and kids) were wearing masks. Honestly it was better than I expected. 

Jenzi – Dayton, Ohio:

Received an email from the bishop the day after the Church’s email saying that the stake sent out instructions that masking and vaccine are personal choices and neither will be enforced. Zoom and social distancing seating were discontinued several months ago, no word about re-instatement.

Beth – Fayetteville, North Carolina:

The message from the First Presidency was read over the pulpit by the bishopric counselor who is conducting sacrament meeting this week. He added that the Stake Presidency appreciates the flexibility and patience of the members of the stake.

My husband is the Bishop and the entire bishopric opted to wear masks, where they had not been wearing them previously. Before the message there were fewer than 25% of ward members wearing masks. On Sunday it was closer to 75%. Interestingly, when the message was read at the beginning of sacrament meeting several members who were unmasked pulled masks from pockets or bags and put them on.

I serve in Primary and leaders/teachers wearing masks were about 50/50. We have been in this ward less than 6 months and I have not been asked at all about my views on COVID/vaccines/masks by a single ward member.

A Person – Orlando:

Full letter read over pulpit. We had already returned to every other pew seating several weeks before and wearing masks again had been asked earlier so this was a re-emphasis. Relief society activity and activity kids were cancelled. Youth activity still occurred, was supposed to have everyone wearing masks again but most were not and I’m tired of being the one requesting it. Temple requires everyone to wear masks to attend here. Our stake presidency has several doctors in it and our stake has a significant population of medical people.

Di – Calgary, Alberta:

We had very strong protocols that were fully lifted by our provincial politicians about a month and a half ago and so the stakes here were directed to lift all protocols too. Then the Delta variant brought on a 4th wave and we get the FP announcement to encourage vaccination, masking and social distancing again – but NOTHING changed at church. In fact we got an email from the stake saying area authorities weren’t providing any new directives. My husband and I have only attended in person about 3 times since March 2020 because we are older and he has some health issues so we won’t be going back anytime soon. It’s very disappointing because the positive covid numbers are really climbing again.

Tim – Calgary, Alberta:

The Stake Presidency simply stated while The First Presidency urged members to get vaccinated, that they are to follow the law on government mask mandates (Calgary, Alberta, in this case) and/or the like. Masks are not required here, but up to the individual. I do not believe wearers — or non-wearers — should be abused or vilified for doing so.

Charlotte – England:

Nothing changed, but our rules are very strict anyway. Temperature check coming in, hand sanitized. Everyone over 11 years masked. Pews spread to back of cultural hall, internal and external doors open to promote airflow. Sacrament: hands sanitized, bread in cups and cups put in bin bag carried by deacon that follows behind the tray. All primary workers are encouraged to take lateral flow tests Saturday night, since kids struggle with social distance. Primary chairs are set up socially distanced, but if we have any visitors the social distance starts to get reduced. Speakers and teachers may take their masks off while they are at the microphone. During primary singing time, the music leader removes their mask. This is in-line with government guidelines for children choirs. They also stand in the draft that blows ways from the children.

Roaming microphones have been purchased for the adult lessons so people don’t have to speak so loudly while commenting. Loud talking causes more aerosols. For the adult toilets, we are instructed to clean after every use and bins are provided outside so you throw your paper towel out after touching the door handle. It seems to be working as the toilets are the cleanest they have ever been. We are struggling with the primary children only toilets, but they are cleaner than before. It was decided that making sure it was two deep everywhere was more important than a person to clean after every child.

We have 3 nutters that don’t wear masks and one exempt person. Despite all this, there are a number of families that don’t think church is safe and are boycotting. I’m calling BS on them because one family traveled to France this summer and another is planning to go to Florida and on a cruise next month. It is a bit of a thing because they are in leadership. The stake said that only special cases approved by the bishop may have sacrament at home.