Following April 2020 general conference, commentators shared opinions that the conference failed to address how the religion would provide aid for COVID-19 relief efforts.
In a piece for Deseret News, contributors Hal Boydand Jacob Hess write, “Complaints that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wasn’t doing enough to combat COVID-19 seem premature in the wake of Tuesday’s letter from the faith’s First Presidency indicating that the church has undertaken some 110 global humanitarian projects related to COVID-19."
Boyd, an associate professor at BYU, and Hess, a co-author of The Power of Stillness, point out that the commentators failed to mention the well-known welfare efforts of the Church. They also explain that the Savior’s life demonstrates how humanitarian aid and worship are not mutually exclusive.
“Religious institutions of all stripes should be held to high standards, and this is particularly true for a church which bears Christ’s name,” the authors write. “But, given the scope of Jesus’ life and ministry, it’s quite strange to encounter complaints implying that the general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints focused too much on worship, devotion or doctrinal exposition at the expense of humanitarian overtures.”
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Lead image: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
Find more writings from Jacob Hess in The Power of Stillness. Using Latter-day Saint vernacular and examples, The Power of Stillness explores ways in which mindfulness can help deepen our conversion to the gospel. Infusing our homes with more stillness, silence, and space can reinvigorate the joy inherent in our faith and help us feel calmer, more present and engaged in our lives, and more spiritually connected to our Savior. Available now at deseretbook.com.
