June 16, 2020 – Letter from the First Presidency

Dear Saints:

Sunday was our first day back to church, and we hope open churches will be the rule from now on – uninterrupted.  I personally feel the spiritual need to be back at church and look forward to beginning to have communion again the first Sunday in July.  (I know some already were able to do that.)

As we get back to the work of the church, there are two things we need to be thinking about.  The first is that our effort to push the work forward needs to accelerate now that it can, and second, we need to come to conference and camps next month spiritually prepared for the Lord’s blessing on those occasions.  We need special blessings to be empowered for the special work we are called to do.

Here are some tidbits of good news:

• The general church income has exceeded expenses so far this year because of three factors: generous contributors, reduced expenses, and government stimulus support for our church employees.  This is so impressive because we have not been meeting during this period and still managed to generate a surplus.  News reports indicate other churches have not fared as well.  Thanks go to all of you good stewards.

• An initial printing of 50 copies of Rules and Resolutions is completed.  Thanks to President Patience and the office staff for getting it printed despite the shutdown.  If you should desire a copy, they are available at Headquarters for $10 each and will also be available at conference.  More copies will be printed if and when the need arises.

• We are six weeks away from general conference.  It is approaching at high speed from our standpoint at Headquarters.  We have high expectations for this conference and believe it will equip the church to move forward in greater power in the months ahead.  My suggestion is to make sure you can attend.

• The revised schedule for camps is as follows:
  • Junior Camp – July 1–4 (no change)
  • Remnant Youth Camp (for junior high and senior high) – July 18–25.

• The Youth Rummage Sale at the Gathering Place Conference Center will be held on June 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Here are a couple of photos for your enjoyment that have nothing to do with this letter:

Keep the faith, 

David Van Fleet

For the First Presidency