Meeting guidelines for bishoprics and branch presidencies during wildfires

14 September 2020

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies

Dear Brethren,

Thank you for all that you're doing to provide refuge for your members from the wildfires and smoke.

SUNDAY SERVICES: Please go forward with your sacrament meeting webcasts from the church building this Sunday, as long as your building is not in Stage 3 or mandatory evacuation area. We hope you'll still invite those on the program to attend in person, if possible. 

This is an important time when members need to feel the assurance that our world isn't falling apart, that we're all pressing forward, and that the solution to problems is to trust in the Lord. Seeing you and your counselors in the chapel will help send that message to your members.

If, however, for any reason you do not feel safe in webcasting from the chapel, we support your decision.

NEW GUIDELINES: You've all received the attached new guidelines (3 pages) from the First Presidency regarding meetings and activities.

As you see, they validate what we've already been doing or planning to do by holding weekly sacrament meetings with three options: 1) home worship, 2) hybrid of webcasting sacrament meetings with some in-person attendance (we start in October), and 3) in-person sacrament meetings with the sacrament administered at the conclusion of the meeting (to start in November).

Here are a few other things we noticed:

• We received permission to hold bishopric and presidency meetings in person and in the building, if we want (with social distancing, of course). 
  
  
• There was an emphasis on helping the youth to connect by holding "youth meetings, activities, and service projects, virtually or safely in person...on Sundays or other days." While it doesn't say specifically, we suggest this includes an increased use of our church buildings for youth gatherings.
  
  
• What they don't address are the second-hour classes. While you have been holding them regularly (thank you!), you may (1) continue doing so, if you feel they're of benefit to members, or (2) discontinue holding second-hour classes until we receive further instruction.

Thank you again for your faithful leadership, providing encouragement and hope that the Lord is mindful of our circumstances and will not forsake us.

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency