Can We Count the Ways, This Crisis Can and Will Affect Our Lives?

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Recently I began to list within my mind the many ways this pandemic is impacting the lives of the Saints. At first I began to list the “lighter ways”, such as things that would have a thread such as this end up in the Social Forum. But as missionaries are being recalled, sent home, or not even departing, I began to see it as it would impact current membership, and now even future membership. So I began to see the more serious side of our lives as members of the Church. 
 

Missionaries who might never make it to their targeted missions. 
Marriages (Temple Marriages) being postponed, or no wedding guests at all outside of immediate family members. 
Baptisms postponed indefinitely. 
Etc.

I do not wish to dwell only one the negative, but also the positive effects this pandemic could have. So, I come here seeking help compiling such a list. 
 

Thoughts?
 

 

[Rivers]

Just like 9/11 brought Americans together, maybe this crisis can bring humanity together.

 

 

[Tacenda]

Not taking for granted the ability to touch, hug, dine in at restaurants, enjoy family get-togethers, social gatherings and so much more that we didn't realize we had.

[Kenngo1969]

Can anything good come out of this crisis? Believe me, though I understand the urge and know that it is all too easy to succumb to despair in circumstances such as this, as each of us responds to the nudges of our “better angels” much good can come even out of the most dire circumstances:

• We can be reminded of the indominability, as a God-given gift, of the human spirit (or perhaps better said, the Divine Spirit within us)
• We can be reminded of our adaptability even amid less-than-ideal circumstances, that emanates from the same source
• This crisis can be a opportunity to learn to depend less on others or to live on borrowed light, and to go more directly, more urgently to The Source and to acquire His Light (see Matthew 5:48)
• Our heel is definitely being bruised here, but perhaps circumstances such as this serve to remind us that, still, we retain the power to crush the Adversary’s head
• Reaching out to our brothers and sisters has become less, simply, a “nice thing to do” and more of a necessity
• Reaching out to our Creator has become less, simply, a “nice thing to do” and more of a necessity
• This being, perhaps, an invitation to cast out the dross within us and to refine the gold within us? (See “How Firm a Foundation,” No. 85, Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vs. 5)
• This being, perhaps, the opportunity to lighten our load by discarding the baggage in which, too often, we carry trivial things and to recognize, instead, what is more and most important
• This crisis can serve as a reminder that “though skin worms may destroy this body, in [our] flesh shall we see God” (see Job 19:26)
• To be reminded that though we may be “troubled on every side,” we need not be “distressed”; though we may be “perplexed,” we need not be “in despair”; though we may be “persecuted,” we are not “forsaken”; though we may be “cast down,” we will not be “destroyed” (see 1 Corinthians 4:8-9
• Crises often force even people who are least prone to do such things to focus less inwardly and more outwardly
• Political differences, social differences, economic differences racial differences, gender differences, and a multitude of other differences fade far into the background, and we focus much more on our common humanity and (in the case of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and even many of those who are not) on our common spiritual heritage as Children of God

As for adverse impacts on the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are assured that, whatever our individual and collective circumstances, as President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "God is at the helm." And, as Joseph Smith said, regardless of any temporary setbacks (no matter how severe in the short term):

Quote

No unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, and calumny may defame. [And we might add, "disease may ravage."] But the work of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, 'til it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, 'til the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say, “The work is done.”

Perhaps I'm simply “spiritually tone deaf” to things like this, but I don't think the current crisis is an instance of God visiting a plague on humanity for our collective (or anyone's individual) sins, no matter how heinous. As serious as the current crisis may be, I think, nonetheless, that it simply falls under the heading of “crap happening.” We live in a fallen world, and in a fallen world crap happens. Often, we're subject to disease. And many of us who are subject to disease may die. But death is not the worst thing that can befall a person, no matter how tragic it might be. As Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

Hope this helps. I wish you and yours well. Be safe.

[carbon dioxide]

2 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Recently I began to list within my mind the many ways this pandemic is impacting the lives of the Saints. At first I began to list the “lighter ways”, such as things that would have a thread such as this end up in the Social Forum. But as missionaries are being recalled, sent home, or not even departing, I began to see it as it would impact current membership, and now even future membership. So I began to see the more serious side of our lives as members of the Church. 
 

Missionaries who might never make it to their targeted missions. 
Marriages (Temple Marriages) being postponed, or no wedding guests at all outside of immediate family members. 
Baptisms postponed indefinitely. 
Etc.

I do not wish to dwell only one the negative, but also the positive effects this pandemic could have. So, I come here seeking help compiling such a list. 
 

Thoughts?
 

 

Lots of things are on pause.  This will be the first year in a long time that the church membership will probably go down.  Not many convert baptisms verses the number of deaths in the church will probably turn the numbers negative.  It will take some time even when it is over to get the missionary work back on track.  It will be a few years before things get to where things were beforehand.  Its sort of interesting. We are trying to "hasten" the work and a stupid virus undercuts it,

[Hamba Tuhan]

27 minutes ago, carbon dioxide said:

Not many convert baptisms verses the number of deaths in the church will probably turn the numbers negative.  It will take some time even when it is over to get the missionary work back on track.

We have had two convert baptisms in our stake in the last eight days. I'm glad we got the second one this past weekend since we've now been banned from gatherings of more than two people. Hard to have a baptism under those conditions!

[Rain]

46 minutes ago, carbon dioxide said:

Lots of things are on pause.  This will be the first year in a long time that the church membership will probably go down.  Not many convert baptisms verses the number of deaths in the church will probably turn the numbers negative.  It will take some time even when it is over to get the missionary work back on track.  It will be a few years before things get to where things were beforehand.  Its sort of interesting. We are trying to "hasten" the work and a stupid virus undercuts it,

I'm starting to hear of missionaries teaching many more people than they were previously.  Will that continue after everyone goes back to work?  Likely not to the extent it does now, but I think it won't go down to what it was before.

[Kenngo1969]

1 hour ago, carbon dioxide said:

Lots of things are on pause.  This will be the first year in a long time that the church membership will probably go down.  Not many convert baptisms verses the number of deaths in the church will probably turn the numbers negative.  It will take some time even when it is over to get the missionary work back on track.  It will be a few years before things get to where things were beforehand.  Its sort of interesting. We are trying to "hasten" the work and a stupid virus undercuts it,

I'm not a pie-in-the-sky optimist, prone to discount or to downplay the deleterious effects something like this might have on the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but nor am I one to say, "Geez, I'll bet Heavenly Father was blindsided by this one!"  I fully expect that any deleterious effects the virus has on the work will be temporary.  And as others have pointed out, there's another side to the "what-[harm?]-will-this-virus-do-to-the-work?" coin: will this crisis help people to engage in reflection, to reorient their priorities, to ponder what might be missing in their lives? 

Will baptisms decrease? Perhaps.  On the other hand, the kind of processes I mention above might cause people who wouldn't give the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ a second thought otherwise to do just that, and perhaps even to come unto Christ in the waters of baptism.  Think of The Book of Mormon: The Musical.  Have a lot of people had a cheap laugh at the expense of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of it?  Yes.  But has it brought some people into the Church of Jesus Christ who would not have been interested otherwise?  Yes. 

I believe Romans 8:28: "All things"—not just the "good" things, and not just the things we understand, but all things—"work together for the good of them that love God."  Did the events of 9/11/01 spring from great evil?  No doubt. On the other hand, great good resulted as it also brought people together in unexpected ways, as well. And I believe Joseph Smith meant what he said when he said that "No unhallowed hand will stop this work from progressing."  While, as I also stated above, I think the COVID-19 crisis is simply another example of "crap happening" from living in a fallen world, I think the Lord is really good at making lemonade from lemons.

Edited March 30, 2020 by Kenngo1969

[randy]

I can offer this thought from my side of the fence.    The opportunity and blessing to go into the homes of the Saints and administer the sacrament for them has already had a marvelous and wonderful impact on me personally...and our Ward.  I'm hearing of all sorts of simple yet powerful experiences that are being had.  My wife and I have drawn closer together in ways that are kinda hard for me to articulate....but I know we have.   I think just the setting alone is powerful...it's just the two of us, it's just a very humble and humbling experience.  I believe that due to this pandemic....the Saints will emerge stronger, more humble, more thankful for the Priesthood, more courageous in proclaiming the wonderous news of the Restored Gospel, more resolute in our resolve to invite others to feast...most especially those  in our own families,  more faithful in striving each day to be just a little bit better than the day before.

I see this whole episode as difficult and tragic as  it has been....when we come out of the other side of this, and we will, I believe our families and our Wards.....and the Church will be much purer having gone through a "refiners fire".  We truly are brothers and sisters.

Edited March 30, 2020 by randy

[Amulek]

11 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

I do not wish to dwell only one the negative, but also the positive effects this pandemic could have. So, I come here seeking help compiling such a list. 

Lots of positive stuff happening right now. 

1. Over the last two weeks I've seen more families out walking together in our neighborhood than I've seen in the last decade. 
2. Traffic is absolutely amazing! Seriously, I've started forcing myself to use my cruise control on the way home from work because with so few cars around for perspective it's super easy to end up going...more than is needful.  
3. I just filled my car up with gas for $1.45 per gallon. 
4. On the church side of things, a great many of those whose callings generate additional stress in their lives have essentially been given a brief sabbatical.
5. Oh, and this one is my personal favorite: No more phone calls asking people to speak on Sunday. 

 

 

[randy]

1 hour ago, Amulek said:

Lots of positive stuff happening right now. 

1. Over the last two weeks I've seen more families out walking together in our neighborhood than I've seen in the last decade. 
2. Traffic is absolutely amazing! Seriously, I've started forcing myself to use my cruise control on the way home from work because with so few cars around for perspective it's super easy to end up going...more than is needful.  
3. I just filled my car up with gas for $1.45 per gallon. 
4. On the church side of things, a great many of those whose callings generate additional stress in their lives have essentially been given a brief sabbatical.
5. Oh, and this one is my personal favorite: No more phone calls asking people to speak on Sunday. 

 

 

Haha...I must confess....that prior to the first Sunday we were given permission to administer the sacrament in our home,  I emailed my wife..and as officially sounding as I could,  I extended to her the opportunity to give the opening prayer, lead the music and   give a short 5 minute talk.  I thought it was pretty witty on my part.  She on the other did not find it nearly as witty or as humorous as I did.  Needless to say,  I ended up rearranging our little sacrament service. 

But seriously,  we did have a wonderful experience together, for us...it was a very special and humbling experience.  Precious to us.  I think, families throughout the church are having similar experiences...and I truly believe miracles are happening.  I really do.

Edited March 30, 2020 by randy

[LoudmouthMormon]

1 hour ago, Amulek said:

1. Oh, and this one is my personal favorite: No more phone calls asking people to speak on Sunday. 

My ward broadcast our first Sunday services using the free app Zoom.  Instead of gathering in a chapel, we had a screen full of about 20 faces/families on webcam thumbnails.  We had an opening and closing prayer, Bishop had thoughts to share with us, and two recently returned missionaries both talked.  Took about 45 minutes.

So be warned - Bishops, SPs, and GAs have been using this stuff since day 1 of this thing.  Covid isn't a 'get out of talking free' card, just a brief delay! 

[rongo]

10 hours ago, Rain said:

I'm starting to hear of missionaries teaching many more people than they were previously.  Will that continue after everyone goes back to work?  Likely not to the extent it does now, but I think it won't go down to what it was before.

There's teaching, and there's teaching. Most of these are missionaries counting and talking about electronic contact as "teaching," but they aren't usually formal lessons working towards baptism. Sharing thoughts, checking in, etc. This isn't to discount that --- where there's more contact than before, that can only be a good thing. 

Our son was double-transferred in three weeks ago, so they haven't yet physically met anyone in their ward (they have met as many as possible electronically, and have had enough conversations to report that most ward members think the Corona restrictions are much ado about nothing). His new district went from 8 to 4, with the senior couple being sent home after only three weeks in country, and a set of sisters going home due to health concerns (preemptive --- they weren't ailing, but have asthma listed in their profile). He gets to drive to Arendal (yes, the Frozen town --- his previous area) every Sunday to give the sisters the sacrament, and they are starting to lose it a little with cabin fever, but he and his companion are doing well. They have been communicating often with the young lady who approached them (maintaining the 2 meter distance) when they were out. She has been wanting to discuss history, Bible manuscripts, and the Book of Mormon (and how they are related). Talk about a fat pitch down the middle of the plate!  He previously had called home about once a month, but it has been more frequent since they literally have all day every day. 

They have a ton of contacts, because they assumed the three area books. Almost everyone, though, wants to wait to really "get started" with visits and teaching for when they can actually meet. I think even in today's electronic world, electronic teaching is but a shadow of in-person, even for contacts and investigators. It's one thing to "meet" the new missionaries online, it's quite another to actually meet them in person. 

[JAHS]

Started doing more gospel teaching in the home which will probably continue after the crisis.
The country will be more prepared and experienced and therefore more ready for the next time this happens.

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."  (D&C 122: 7)

[rongo]

5 minutes ago, LoudmouthMormon said:

My ward broadcast our first Sunday services using the free app Zoom.  Instead of gathering in a chapel, we had a screen full of about 20 faces/families on webcam thumbnails.  We had an opening and closing prayer, Bishop had thoughts to share with us, and two recently returned missionaries both talked.  Took about 45 minutes.

So be warned - Bishops, SPs, and GAs have been using this stuff since day 1 of this thing.  Covid isn't a 'get out of talking free' card, just a brief delay! 

Yuck! I'd much rather have our home service as a family than be expected to Zoom meet with 20 others. We've really enjoyed our talks, lessons, etc. 

[LoudmouthMormon]

Well, TBH, it was nice to see other people in their normal state of disrepair.  Probably 15 had everyone dressed in their Sunday Best, the rest were slightly-less-slobby-than-normal.  I was bummed out that my "y'all need Jesus" shirt was in the wash.

[rongo]

3 minutes ago, JAHS said:

The country will be more prepared and experienced and therefore more ready for the next time this happens.

I think one valuable secular thing is the large-scale sociological experiment playing right before our eyes with "hoarding." I put quote marks around it, because I don't think it's really hoarding. I think there is a psychological effect (I've felt it myself) in seeing empty shelves that leads people into panic buying things they don't really "need." The specter of empty shelves causes people to buy because they're scared they may need it at some time. That's why people continue to buy out stores of toilet paper in ten minutes, even when they're already well-stocked at home (more won't hurt --- the shelves are always empty). It's not a supply issue, but the fact that the stores can't keep the shelves stocked. Our governor has said that most stores need two trucks to re-stock, but it's been taking 12 every day, and they still can't keep the shelves stocked. And, this is feeding into a vicious cycle that keeps compounding empty shelves. I think if people stop seeing empty shelves, it will stop the mass buying of all sorts of things. 

We've been fortunate. We haven't needed anything in the last 3 weeks, although hand soap refill will be nice (there's been even less of that than toilet paper). But, we can use bar soap for the bathroom sinks, and we have a ton of that. We have yet to actually buy toilet paper during this whole time, and won't need it for another several weeks. 

I think this "test run" with human psychology will be valuable in the future.  

[rongo]

7 minutes ago, rongo said:

Yuck! I'd much rather have our home service as a family than be expected to Zoom meet with 20 others. We've really enjoyed our talks, lessons, etc. 

In all seriousness, I think the basic introduction to the patriarchal order (true home-centered) is an overall positive for most. While administration of the sacrament needs to be authorized by local authorities, how these home meetings are conducted is up to the home authority. I think this is a good experience. 

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

12 hours ago, Tacenda said:

Not taking for granted the ability to touch, hug, dine in at restaurants, enjoy family get-togethers, social gatherings and so much more that we didn't realize we had.

+1

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

11 hours ago, carbon dioxide said:

Lots of things are on pause.  This will be the first year in a long time that the church membership will probably go down.  Not many convert baptisms verses the number of deaths in the church will probably turn the numbers negative.  It will take some time even when it is over to get the missionary work back on track.  It will be a few years before things get to where things were beforehand.  Its sort of interesting. We are trying to "hasten" the work and a stupid virus undercuts it,

But could make those who remain stronger, more committed, etc. 

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

To add to my own list, everyone is starting to look wild eyed and hairy. I has been a while since I was seen with my Army/Police haircut, and will be a lot longer. I am thinking about not shaving either.  

[Amulek]

12 hours ago, Tacenda said:

Not taking for granted the ability to touch, hug, dine in at restaurants, [...] social gatherings and so much more that we didn't realize we had.

That's another one! No people in the office means nobody around to sexually harass.

Who knew that COVID-19 was part of the MeToo movement. 

 

[Amulek]

36 minutes ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

I am thinking about not shaving either.

Same here. I've never worn a beard before, but now is the perfect time to test it out - while nobody is looking. 

[Calm]

Just be aware that beards affect masks' effectiveness if you were planning on wearing one if you get sick, work around the sick, use one for air pollution, have a cpap mask, etc.

PS:  didn't realize there were that many types of beards...

Edited March 30, 2020 by Calm

[The Nehor]

Good Stuff:

I am getting caught up on my backlog of books to read.

I get to spend several hours a day in my hammock on the balcony and I have found it tremendously renewing.

A lot of the economy is dying and that is traumatic and difficult but it also gives an opportunity to rebuild it in a better way.

A lot of people who have succeeded in ignoring them are now facing existential questions which is good for missionary work and just general emotional and mental health.

We all know who the hoarders and terrible people in our neighborhoods looking to exploit people in a crisis are now and we can shun them and maybe put their heads on pikes later.

Many people who have never had a good sleep schedule are finding out what one is like now.

Parents are having more time with children which can be bad but can also be quite good.

We have in many cases learned who the dangerously stupid are. We have in many cases learned who the exploiters are. Many have learned who they can count on and who they cannot.

We are learning what is actually "essential" to keep us alive and hopefully we can give new dignity to those jobs, many of which were previously despised and underpaid.

Get to spend a lot of evenings just hanging out in my sugar glider room. Making some progress with the most antisocial guy in the colony. He is still crotchety but he is not as antisocial as he once was.

We can check plague off the list of Second Coming prophecies.

I suspect there will be some who never come back to Church when this is over. While this is not good I think it is part of a winnowing which can lead to good.

If you will not do home-centered gospel study after this you probably just will not.

Absence will hopefully make the heart grow fonder of our temples.

The pictures of people trying to cut their own hair are good for laughs.

Maybe people will stop eating bats after this. No idea if that actually caused this but seriously.....they are rats with wings. Don't eat them! That is gross!