Explaining to members why a delay in returning to meetings

17 June 2020

Dear Mount Hood Stake Members,

You may be wondering when will we return to meetings again?

We know this has been a trying time, especially for those living alone and those who find isolation extra challenging. We appreciate your patience and faith through all of this.

We are encouraged that the state government may soon allow gatherings for religious services of up to 250 people, provided there's social distancing. You may also may be hearing from family and friends in other areas where they are beginning to hold abbreviated sacrament meetings.

While the Church has issued guidelines for safely resuming meetings, due to the continuing risk of Covid-19 outbreaks in the northwest our Area Presidency has asked that all stakes in our area show extreme caution before we return to meetings.

Right now both government and Church guidelines prevent us from holding any in-person meetings in our three buildings, except for an occasional interview, setting apart or baptismal service. 

Among the obstacles that will delay re-opening will be the expectation that we: 

1) implement social distancing and safety measures in all meetings;

2) comply with all government and Church guidelines, including thorough sanitizing after each meeting; and

3) draft a Meeting Plan by each ward or branch that must be approved by the Area Presidency.

As a consequence, we don't anticipate holding in-person meetings until, at the earliest, August and possibly as late as September or October.

As you may be aware, the Church has already announced that General Conference, Oct. 3-4, will be conducted virtually as it was in April. Also stake conferences and leadership meetings have been suspended through the month of October.

In the meantime, we continue to receive wonderful reports on how:

• Families are embracing the Come, Follow Me home-study curriculum;

• Sacrament administered in homes has been an especially sweet experience;

• Ministering—true watch care—has become standard practice;

• Gospel learning and study in the home has been more enjoyable than ever;

• Leaders are going the extra mile to communicate and keep classes and quorums united.

We love you and thank you for your prayers, your patience and your faith as we all press forward on the covenant path. We look forward to a coming day when we can gather again.

Faithfully yours,

The Stake Presidency