SALT LAKE CITY — On Friday, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints thanked the people who participated in the global fasts over the last couple weeks to ask for relief from the coronavirus pandemic.

"I was humbled to learn of friends from many faiths all over the world who joined with us to appeal for relief," President Nelson said on social media.

President Nelson called for a worldwide fast to occur on Sunday, March 29, and then, during the Saturday session of the April general conference, he once again called on people of all faiths and beliefs to participate in a fast on Good Friday, April 10.

The call for a Good Friday fast was echoed by leaders from other churches and sparked a Facebook group that had more than 500,000 members featuring people of all different beliefs across the world.

"Fasting reminds me of the supreme sacrifice that our Savior, Jesus Christ, made for each of us," President Nelson said. "As we look forward to a recovery from this worldwide pandemic, I pray that we will find a stronger relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our Master Healer. He will heal our broken hearts. He will bestow upon us personal peace and comfort. Thanks to Jesus Christ, no condition is hopeless. Thanks to Him, brighter days are ahead, both here and hereafter."