Bernard Gui Posted June 14, 2020 Posted June 14, 2020 (edited) In another thread, I stated I would review all Conference talks to see "what we have been taught about the sacrament for the past 200 years." I came across this interesting statement by Heber J Grant in April Conference, 1919, reporting on the effects of the 1918 influenza epidemic that killed millions of people..... Quote SACRAMENT MEETINGS. In consequence of the quarantine and conditions prevailing during the epidemic of influenza in the latter part of the year 1918, the attendance at Sacrament meetings has fallen off and the visits of the ward teachers have not been as regular as in other years. And this recent article.... https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/looking-back-at-general-conference-in-the-age-of-influenza-outbreaks-and-world-war-i?lang=eng Edited June 14, 2020 by Bernard Gui 3
Duncan Posted June 14, 2020 Posted June 14, 2020 I wouldn't think they would be regular, who knew who had it and nobody would want to be infected
Popular Post halconero Posted June 15, 2020 Popular Post Posted June 15, 2020 (edited) Not a general conference talk, but this is an interesting passage in the journals of James E. Talmage: January 9, 1919: "There is every evidence of a very serious recrudescence of the influence trouble, there there is a manifest disinclination on the part of the newspapers to publish the full facts. This is said to be the result of pressure brought upon the papers by the business men, who insist that the enforced suspension of public assemblies and free business operations is bringing to them a loss that cannot be longer endured. Lives are being sacrificed in the interest of dollars. While the physicians freely admit that the present scourge is a mystery disease, they are all agreed upon the fact that it is spread by contact, and that close assemblies are the principal means of communication. Today we have to mourn the departure of Bishop Edwin F. Sheets, Bishop of 33rd Ward, Liberty Stake, and Secretary of the General Board of Religion Classes. His wife and two children became infected with the influenza, and he contracted it in waiting upon them. He was one of our most useful men, and is cut off in the very prime of his activity, a victim of the dread scourge that is sweeping the land." January 10, 1919: Regular church business; dealing with a disciplinary council regarding plural marriage. Talks about a completing a manuscript on Church doctrine. January 11, 1919: Deals with administrative business, but then follows with this: "Notice was published in the papers today that all Church meeting are to be suspended until further word is given out, this owning to the rapidly increasing number of influenza cases in this city and in many of the towns of Utah. The instructions are to the effect that in communities wherein the disease is not prevalent meetings may be held at the discretion of the local authorities. Special arrangements have been made for the reopening of the Tabernacle tomorrow, but these were all cancelled in consideration of the prevailing danger." January 12, 1919: “Another Sabbath without public meetings. I devoted part of the day to reading and study in my office, and the rest in association with the family at home. In the evening we held a family service, comprising singing, Scripture reading, prayer and informal discourse, together with the administration of the Sacrament.” https://cdm15999.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15999coll20/id/55215 Edited June 16, 2020 by halconero 5
Recommended Posts