Coming together in faith during trying times

Friends, with you I am social distancing, masking up in public, washing my hands and missing work. My prayers are for those who have lost loved ones to the highly contagious virus or are struggling under its economic impact.

This week I witnessed valiant local efforts in an online meeting of local faith and charity groups under the auspices of Coordinated Community Care Group of the Harbor Christian Center. Participants included the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, Backpacks for Kids, school programs, job programs, elderly outreach, and other faith and service club initiatives. A senior myself, I have been the recipient of caring concern from good neighbors acting on these Christlike impulses.

A story for troubled times: In early morning hours of November 16, 1962, someone placed a plastic explosive on one of the large front doors of our historic Salt Lake Temple. It exploded violently, blasting a hole where the ornate doorknob had been, breaking windows above and damaging the foyer behind the door. Nobody was injured, as the temple was empty at that hour.

One church leader, Elder Boyd K. Packer, arrived in the dark of the early morning to attend a day of meetings at Church headquarters one block from the temple. Alerted by the flashing lights of first responders at the temple, Packer parked in underground parking and went to the meetings with the brethren.

That evening it was already dark when Packer left his underground parking for home, noticed the yellow police tape around the morning’s scene and realized that he had just spent the entire day with the highest leaders of the Church and never once heard mention of the bombing.

Later sharing the incident with church educators, he taught that the work of Christ’s kingdom goes forth boldly and nobly in spite of times of trouble that will come and go. Perhaps it is that inspired outlook that has prepared The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help others more effectively in challenging times such as today.

Reacting proactively

With more than 16 million members, the church has proactively introduced many temporary adjustments worldwide to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Sunday worship services and other gatherings were suspended in our 30,000 congregations, closing meetinghouses and temples on six continents.

But we are a church of ministering members who have reached out to one another using social media and other communications to assess and fill needs where possible.

By mid-March, acting on extraordinary travel advisories from the U.S. State Department, thousands of LDS missionaries serving outside of their home countries were returning home for self-isolation and honorable releases or postponed assignments.

Recognizing the global reach and long trajectory of this emergency situation, the Church began relief efforts early. With the goal of providing hope, Latter-day Saint Charities increased production at its canneries and food processing plants to serve members, as well as others, under the direction of local bishops and the women’s Relief Society.

Countries get help

Iran, Italy and China were among the 16 countries that immediately received medical emergency supplies, support and funding from Latter-day Saint Charities. By mid-April, in partnership with other established charitable organizations of many faiths, church leaders had approved 157 humanitarian aid projects in 57countries.

The Church’s April General Conference, normally held in a 21,000-seat Conference Center in Salt Lake City, became a remote broadcast from a smaller empty auditorium, avoiding the usual travel of thousands of visiting members, while still reaching millions.

Church President Russell M. Nelson invited members and other people of faith to a second worldwide fast on Good Friday, with prayers to control the pandemic, protect caregivers, strengthen the economy and normalize life. Afterwards, one sister in Madrid said, “Feelings of gratitude have helped me to know peace and to have confidence in a future that some might call uncertain. The fact that we can have peace in our hearts is a miracle that only God makes possible.”

We can move forward in a positive way to follow Jesus Christ and try to live as He taught us: to love God and care for our fellow man. Learn how at ComeUntoChrist.org. We are not alone. All in all, it is a unique time to be alive and face the challenges of our day together.

Alfred Gunn is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Gig Harbor.

This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 1:24 AM.