SALT LAKE CITY-Thursday afternoon, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesman Daniel Woodruff confirmed the Salt Lake City-based faith is in the process of reassigning missionaries worldwide.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Woodruff said, many missionaries around the world have returned to their home countries to self-isolate.
Meanwhile, others have completed online training for their missionary training center experience.
Since then, Woodruff continued, most missionaries have expressed a desire to begin or continuing service as soon as possible.
The process of reassigning these missionaries to missions in their home countries is ongoing and they have started to receive their new assignments.
All reassignments are being made by a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
Many missionaries have already begun their new assignments while some missionaries, in the United States and Canada, will depart for their new assignments next week.
Missionary travel to missions will continue on a staggered basis throughout the next several months, predicated on local circumstances.
Once in their new assignments, Woodruff said, missionaries will take part in activities appropriate to the local communities where they will serve.
Furthermore, missionaries will continue to strictly follow local and national public health guidelines, concerning travel, personal interaction and the prevention of any further spread of COVID-19.
At this point, Woodruff said, it is uncertain how long missionaries will serve in their new assignments.
Any return to their original mission is contingent on conditions associated with the pandemic.
Woodruff said the Church is grateful for missionaries around the world as well as those who are preparing to serve.
He said the Church is confident that they will have positive and meaningful experiences as they serve the Lord and seek to share His love with others.
