As the rapid spread of COVID- 19 continues across the globe, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced Thursday afternoon that all Church gatherings — including public worship services and sacrament meetings, stake conferences, leadership conferences, and stake, branch or ward activities — will be suspended immediately. The announcement included no end date.

“We have considered the counsel of local Church leaders, government officials and medical professionals, and sought the Lord’s guidance in these matters,” the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in the letter to Church members worldwide.

“Where possible, please conduct any essential leadership meetings via technology. Specific questions may be referred to local priesthood leaders. Further direction related to other matters will be provided.”

The outbreak of the coronavirus, a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to the flu, has been at the center of media and governmental attentions around the world since early February.

Grace Boateng, left, and Mabel Wesoamo sing during sacrament meeting at the Bantama Stake Center in Kumasi, Ghana, on Sunday, April 22, 2018. Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News, Deseret News

Bishops, after counseling with their stake president, should determine how to make the sacrament available to members at least once a month during this time of suspended gatherings.

According to the letter, the senior Church leaders “encourage members in their ministering efforts to care for one another. We should follow the Savior’s example to bless and lift others.”

“We bear our witness of the Lord’s love during this time of uncertainty,” the letter continued. “He will bless you to find joy as you do your best to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in every circumstance.”

These changes follow significant adaptations announced earlier on March 11 in three letters also signed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The changes included:

The public will not be admitted to the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City for the Church’s April 2020 general conference.

Missionaries scheduled to enter missionary training centers in Provo, Utah, or Preston, England, will be trained remotely by video conference. Other missionary training centers will continue to function as usual, but they will not receive any missionaries from regions where government officials are restricting activity.

Stake and leadership conferences and other large gatherings will be postponed in Church Areas where illness caused by COVID-19 is a challenge — including Asia, Europe and North America.

“We are deeply concerned about the global spreading of illness caused by COVID-19,” the senior Church leaders wrote.

Additionally, earlier today, the governor of Utah called for a limit of gatherings in Utah to less than 100 people and urged churches, companies, and organizations to follow those guidelines.