Tell Exponent: How Did Your Local Leaders Respond to the First Presidency Message?

Screenshot via Newsroom

It was the press release heard around the (LDS online) world.

Last week, 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.

In the following days, many members of the Church heard reactions and instructions from their local leaders. The responses varied widely and in sometimes unexpected ways. We would like to gather a snapshot of the ways that wards and stakes have initially responded to the First Presidency message.

What instruction did you receive from ward or stake leaders? If you attended Sunday meetings in person or via zoom, what was modelled for you from your local leaders? Did you hear exclusively from male leaders, or did female leaders offer instruction on the topic? How, if at all, is the new instruction different than guidelines your ward or stake had most recently been following? How have you seen members in your local congregation respond to the First Presidency message? How have you felt about the message or local response?

Please leave a comment below, along with your name, initials, or a pseudonym, and where you are located (state/region or country if outside the US). A selection of the comments will be shared in a follow-up post. If you would prefer, you can email your comment to KatieOnTheBlog at gmail dot com.