Mormons conduct conference online

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints’ twice-annual conference kicked off Saturday without anyone attending in person and top leaders sitting some 6 feet apart inside an empty room as the faith takes precautions against the spread of the coronavirus.

A livestream of the conference showed a few of the faith’s top leaders sitting alone inside a small auditorium in Salt Lake City with their chairs far apart. Normally, top leaders sit side-by-side on stage with the religion’s well-known choir behind them and some 20,000 people attending each of the five sessions over two days in a cavernous conference center.

Church President Russell Nelson acknowledged the unusual circumstances of the conference and the major impact covid-19 has had on the world. The faith known widely as Mormon church has closed its temples and churches and brought home thousands of missionaries.

Nelson said the pandemic is one of life’s trials along with accidents, natural disasters and unexpected personal heartaches.

“Though today’s restrictions relate to a virulent virus, life’s personal trials stretch far beyond this pandemic,” Nelson said. “How can we endure such trials? The Lord has told us that ‘if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.’ Of course, we can store our own reserves of food, water, and savings. But equally crucial is our need to fill our personal spiritual storehouses with faith, truth, and testimony.”