Overwhelming Support For Family Worship As LDS Church Suspends All Church Meetings
LDS Church first church here to suspend meetings because of coronavirus, supports family-centred programme. Fifty chapels and meeting houses across the country were locked as the church became the first religious body in Fiji to suspend its meetings indefinitely because of the coronavirus threat.
Monday 16 March 2020 | 10:43
Seated, (from left: Sister Taitoko, Sister Briggs, Kanisia Bhan, Anil Bhan, Taitusi Tabaleka. Standing, (from left): Elia Satini, Karen Bhan, Cheryl Bhan, Elder Spears, Sister Spears. Photo: Ilaijia Ravuwai
Member Cheryl Bhan has welcomed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints move to suspend all church meetings or mass gathering and for families to worship at home.
The LDS Church College teacher has echoed the overwhelming sentiments of the members that it would help strengthen families and homes.
She joined more than 21,000 Fijian members here and more than 16.3 million members worldwide yesterday to hold their worship at home with their families.
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Fifty chapels and meeting houses across the country were locked as the church became the first religious body in Fiji to suspend its meetings indefinitely because of the coronavirus threat.
The suspension instruction was issued by the church leadership last week under the guidance of its president, Russel M. Nelson, in Sal Lake City, Utah, United States.
Ms Bhan said this did not come as a surprise because the church had been encouraging members to spend more time with their families and doing things together.
“The programme, ‘Family Centred-Church’ encouraged that more time is being spent with your families,” she said.
“Church hours were reduced from three hours to two last year, the extra hour to be spent with families…studying the scriptures and doing more things together.” That was a prophetic change because it prepared them for this latest development.
Ms Bhan said COVID-19 had driven the programme to go the full way.
“We see it as a move that strengthens the family. It helps us to love and appreciate our families and their important value in our lives.
“It has become apparent that in this world we have all become busy with work, extra-curricular activities and social media.
“We may be together in one room on our phones, but really are we closer to each other?” she asked.
Edited by Ivamere Nataro
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