The Church and Coronavirus: A Timeline of News Releases and Media Coverage

This story was last updated on October 1, 2020. Find a complete timeline at Church News.

This is a reverse-chronological timeline of news releases from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and media coverage in relation to COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. This story will be frequently updated and can be accessed at ldsliving.com/coronavirus.

Find the latest information on Newsroom, or find LDS Living's timeline summary below.

• Four additional temples enter the second phase of reopening bringing the total number of temples in Phase 2 to 107. Three more temples enter the first phase of reopening bringing the total number of temples in Phase 1 to 147.

• Four additional temples enter the second phase of reopening bringing the total number of temples in Phase 2 to 103. Three more temples enter the first phase of reopening bringing the total number of temples in Phase 1 to 146.

• Ten additional temples enter the second phase of reopening bringing the total number of temples in Phase 2 to 99.

• The Church announces FSY conferences will resume in 2021. 

• Five additional temples enter thefirst phase of reopening and 10 more temples enter the second phase. On September 14, 145 temples will have entered Phase 1 and 89 will be in Phase 2.

• The First Presidency releases updated guidelinesfor safely increasing Church meetings and activities. The Utah Area Presidency releases guidelines following this announcement. 

• Twelve additional temples enter the second phase of reopening, bringing the total to 79.

• The total number of reopened temples grows to 139, with 20 additional temples entering the second phase of reopening.

• The total number of reopened temples grows to 138, with 19 additional temples entering the second phase of reopening.

• The total number of reopened temples grows to 130, with 17 additional temples entering the second phase of reopening.

• Some missionaries called to Europe and Asia are returning to their original assignment.

• The total number of reopened temples grows to 127, with two more temples entering the first phase of reopening. No additional temples enter the second phase of reopening.

• The Church announces Perpetual Education Fund loan payments will be paused during COVID-19.

• The second phase of reopening begins, with 12 temples set to reopen in the second phase on July 27, 2020. Three temples are also added to the list of temples in the first phase of reopening, bringing the total number of reopened temples to 125.

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows to 122.

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows to 115.

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows to 109.

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows to 99.

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows to 93.

• Church Distribution retail stores and Deseret Book stores begin reopening in four phases: appointment only, curbside services available, limited hours (no appointment required), and normal hours. See a status list for each store.

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows to 89.

• The First Presidency announces October 2020 general conference will be virtual-only.

• Deseret Industries begins reopening stores. 

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows from 66 to 77.

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows from 52 to 66.

• The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows from 34 to 52.

• • The Utah Area Presidency approves resuming Sunday and other meetings.

• • The First Presidency provides guidelines for safely returning to Church meetings and activities. 

• • The number of temples in the first phase of reopening grows from 17 to 34. Included on the list are the Taipei Taiwan Temple and the Seoul Korea Temple, which became the first temples to close due to COVID-19 on February 21, 2020. 

• • The first 17 temples reopen in the first phase of reopening.

• The Church emphasizes obedience to travel guidelines during missionary travel. 

• • The First Presidency announces a phased reopening plan for temples.

• • In a video message, President Nelson encourages caution as the Church looks forward amid COVID-19. 

• Church recreational properties in the United States and Canada used for youth camps and conferences close until further notice. In addition, all treks and Church pageants arecanceled for 2020.
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• The Church releases a statement sayingmissionary reassignments have begun. 
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• The Church donates $5.5 Million to US agencies for COVID-19 relief efforts. 

• An updated guide to seminary and institute graduation exercises says priesthood leaders should follow local guidelines for gatherings to determine if, when, and how they will recognize diploma and certificate recipients. A gathering is not required to distribute the diplomas and certificates.

•  The 2020 Heritage Tour by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, originally scheduled for June 25-July 16, 2020, is postponed until 2021.

• The First Presidency sends a letter and two documents to the faith’s global leadership. A third document on Church Newsroom contains answers to questions not addressed in the First Presidency’s letter to leadership. Find LDS Living's detailed look at these guidelines here. 
• Latter-day Saint Charities announces the largest volunteer effort since the 2002 Olympics.

• The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints approves 110 projects in 57 countries to help combat the effects of COVID-19.

• Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences scheduled to be held in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 have been postponed until 2021.

• The launch of new temple ceremonial clothing, which was originally scheduled for March 31, 2020, is delayed due to the pandemic. The Church will make the new ceremonial clothing available through the online store and retail outlets at a later date.

• During the Saturday evening session of general conference, President Nelson calls for a second worldwide fast on Good Friday, April 10.

• The Church updates the list of open distribution retail and Deseret Book stores.

• The Church updates the list of open distribution retail and Deseret Book stores.
• The information in the missionary work section on Church Newsroom is condensed. No new announcements are made.

• The Church announces new options for missionaries amid COVID-19.

• The second missionary case of COVID-19 is confirmed and the Church explains the process of reporting coronavirus cases moving forward.

• The Church reports the first missionary case of COVID-19.
• The Church updates the list of closed distribution retail stores.  

• President Russell M. Nelson asks the world to fast with him on Sunday for relief from COVID-19. 
• The First Presidency sends a letter explaining while some missionaries will remain and complete their regular term of service, many others will be released early.
• The Church explains missionaries that are U.S. citizens serving in Canada will remain in Canada, and Canadians serving in the U.S. will remain in the U.S.
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• The Church updates the list of closed distribution retail stores.  

• The First Presidency announces all temples will close at the end of the day.
• Non-native missionaries in Australia and New Zealand will also return to their home nations. Church Newsroom updates their statement from March 23: "Missionaries are in the process of returning to their home nations. This applies to all areas except Europe and Europe East and Taiwan."

• The Church releases a matrix showing which missionaries will have early releases. 
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• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 112.
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• Non-native missionaries in the Dominican Republic will also return to their home nations. Church Newsroom updates their statement from March 23: "Missionaries are in the process of returning to their home nations. This applies to all areas except Europe and Europe East and the following countries: Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan."
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• The Church updates the list of closed distribution retail stores.  

• Missionaries in the following locations are in the process of returning to their home nations: all Church areas except Europe and Europe East and the following countries: Australia, Dominican Republic, New Zealand, and Taiwan.
• The Church announcesearly releases for many American and Canadian missionaries.
• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 104.
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• The Salt Lake Airport issues new guidelines for picking up missionaries.
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• The Church updates the list of closed distribution retail stores.  
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• • Deseret News reports the first Utahn to die from COVID-19 attended the Bountiful Utah Temple last week. Davis County Health Department tells Deseret News it does not consider anyone who was with him at the temple to be at risk. 
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• Church spokeswoman Irene Caso issues a statement about the Oqurrih Mountain Utah Temple: "Due to a potential COVID-19 exposure, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, which has been closed for maintenance, will remain closed for an additional week for evaluation."

• The Church releases a statement on missionary airport homecomings and self-isolation. 
• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 88. The total number of operating temples is 168, meaning over half are now closed.
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• Missionaries at Missionary Training Centers will report to their mission or return home for reassignment, reported by Deseret News. 
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• Non-native missionaries in Mexico, India, and Vietnam will return home for self-isolation and reassignment, reported by Church News.

• In coming weeks, substantial numbers of missionaries will likely need to return to their home nations to continue their service.
• •Deseret Newsreports Latter-day Saint Charities is increasing production at its canneries and food processing plants during the COVID-19 crisis.  
• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 58.
• Additional Church distribution retail stores modify hours.

• The Church announces that only the First Presidency and those assigned to speak or pray will attend General Conference.
• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 46. 
• Additional Church distribution retail stores modify hours.

• Further adjustments to temple worship affect live ordinances.
• Most missionaries serving in non-native regions in Africawill be reassigned. 
• Several Church distribution retail stores will close and others will have reduced hours. 
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• The open house and the dedication of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple is postponed until large public gatherings are deemed safe.
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•  The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 44. 

• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 43.
• The Church announces non-native missionaries in the Philippines will return home.
• The Church announces all senior missionaries and young missionaries with health conditions in the North America Northeast Area will return home.
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• Deseret Industries announcesstores and donations will close to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18. Stores will remain open until 6 p.m. MDT tonight. 

• The Church announces adjustments to missionary service due to COVID-19.
• The Church answers 11 frequently asked questions about temporary temple adjustments.
• The number of fully closed operating templesgrows to 35. 
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• The Church closes its historic sites. 
• The Church issues several guidelines for employees of the Church, including suspending travel worldwide unless individually approved by executive councils or area presidencies.

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• President Russell M. Nelson releases a video message of hope during the COVID-19 outbreak. 
• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 26. 
• The Joseph Smith Memorial Building and the Nauvoo House, both on Temple Square, temporarily close. 

• The Church announces temporary adjustments to temple worship.
  • • Tad Walch with Deseret News speaks to BYU students at the Provo City Center Temple who share their feelings on the temple adjustments and online BYU classes.
• RootsTech London is postponed to 2021. 
• The Church announces several public areas of Temple Square are closed temporarily.
• BYU-Hawaii announces their classes will be held remotely.
• The Polynesian Cultural Center announces it will close temporarily.
• The Tabernacle Choir closes rehearsals to the public and announces it will broadcast or cancel upcoming events.
• Church News reports the Family History Library in Salt Lake City will close temporarily. 

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• The Church temporarily suspends all meetings worldwide.
• The Church announces that all senior missionaries and young missionaries with serious or chronic medical conditions serving in Europe will return home.
• BYU encourages students to return home and finish classes remotely. 
• BYU-Idaho announces classes will be held online.
• LDSBC also moves classes to online.
• BYU-Pathway Worldwide cancels gatherings on Thurday, March 12, and Friday, March 13, with more information to come on gatherings for the rest of the semester.

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• The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles releases three letters announcing: 
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  • General conference sessions will be done virtually; members will not gather at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City or at stake centers or meetinghouses in areas where COVID-19 is active
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  • • Beginning March 16, 2020, all missionaries scheduled to enter missionary training centers in Provo, Utah, or Preston, England, will be trained remotely by video conference
    • • Deseret News reports on how the Provo Missionary Training Center is transitioning to the adjustment. 
    • • Church News speaks with the president of the England Missionary Training Center. 
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  • • Beginning March 16, 2020, large gatherings will be postponed in Asia, Asia North, Europe, Europe East, the United States, and Canada Areas
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• The Church Educational System announcesthere will be no gathering for large events such as commencements, convocations, devotionals, conferences, public lectures, performances, and concerts. 
  • • Deseret News reports on how the different CES institutions are responding to the announcement. 
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• BYU Women's Conference announcesthat the 2020 conference will not be held on campus.
• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 13. 
• •Church Newsroom United Kingdom publishes an article about Italian members' spiritual experiences despite not having face-to-face gatherings.

• The Asunción Paraguay Temple and the Vancouver British Columbia Temple close, bringing the total number of closed temples due to coronavirus to eight. Previously closed temples: Fukuoka Japan Temple, Rome Italy Temple, Sapporo Japan Temple, Seoul Korea Temple, Seattle Washington Temple,  Taipei Taiwan Temple
• Adjustments are made to the Italy Milan Mission. 

• • Deseret News reports Area Seventy Elder Alessandro Dini-Ciacci invited "every member of the church in Italy who is physically able to do it and anyone who lives in Italy or loves Italy, whatever their religious belief or political affiliation" to fast for Italy as COVID-19 spread in the northern part of the country.
•  BYU announces that a Utah resident with COVID-19 attended a BYU basketball game last month, also reported on by Deseret News.
• • Deseret News reports that faculty at the BYU Jerusalem Center were quarantined after visiting a region where tourists had COVID-19.

• Adjustments are made to worship services in Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
• Deseret News reports that eight congregations in San Francisco and San Mateo County held virtual sacrament meetings. 

• • BBC News reports that a Latter-day Saint attended a Sunday worship service in England prior to showing symptoms of COVID-19. The Church building has now closed.

• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 6. 
• The Church announces thatnon-native missionaries serving in Korea will be sent home. 
• Adjustments are made to worship services in the Seattle Washington Area.

• The number of fully closed operating temples grows to 5. 
• The Bothell Washington Stake cancels activities and worship services due to a government request.

• The Church encourages eight tips to stay healthy, based on recommendations from the World Health Organization and United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• • Deseret News reports on how congregations in Italy, Mongolia, and Japan were adjusting their worship services.

• Church Newsroom Hong Kong reports on how Latter-day Saints are finding opportunities for spiritual self-reliance and ministry despite the spread of coronavirus.

• Leadership sessions for General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers normally held in conjunction with April general conference are postponed to October.
• Members living outside of the United States are discouraged from traveling to the United States to attend general conference sessions. 
• The number of fully closed operating templesgrows to 4. 
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• Adjustments are made to the following nine missions: 
  • • Japan Fukuoka Mission
  • • Japan Kobe Mission
  • • Japan Nagoya Mission
  • • Japan Sapporo Mission
  • • Japan Tokyo North Mission
  • • Japan Tokyo South Mission
  • • Korea Busan Mission
  • • Korea Seoul Mission
  • • Korea Seoul South Mission
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• Under the direction of Area Presidencies, some regions limit or temporarily suspended member gatherings, including Sunday worship. These locations include:
  • • Hong Kong
  • • Mongolia
  • • Korea
  • • Japan

• The Taipei Taiwan and the Seoul Korea Temples become the first temples to close due to coronavirus.
• Adjustments are announced to the following four missions, bringing the total number of affected missions to five:
  • • Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission
  • • Singapore Mission
  • • Thailand Bangkok Mission
  • • Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission
  • • Previously adjusted: Hong Kong China Mission

• The Church announces 113 missionaries in the Hong Kong China Mission will be transferred.

• The Church explained what precautions it is taking to protect missionaries from the coronavirus.

• President Nelson facilitates a donation to China to aid with the coronavirus outbreak.

Lead image: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News