Australia Adelaide Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

14 March 2020

Dear Parents and Stake Presidents:

In the wake of the COVID-19 Coronavirus precautions being implemented by the Church worldwide, I am writing today to assure you of the positive health and wellbeing of your missionaries serving in the Australia Adelaide Mission. Please know that your missionaries are healthy and happy and serving with great faith during these extraordinary times.

As of today, there are a total of eleven cases of people having contracted the Coronavirus in all of South Australia and one in the Northern Territory (the two areas which comprise the vast majority of our mission and where the majority of our missionaries are serving). Those twelve people have been quarantined.

For many weeks our missionaries have been counseled to increase their diligence with their personal hygiene, with a particular emphasis on frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizer, limiting (and now eliminating) physical contact such as shaking hands, hugging, etc. As is the case throughout the world, worship services such as sacrament meeting and other church and mission gatherings have been suspended. Missionaries are still being asked to continue their proselyting activities with their companions, and to fulfill their missionary purpose of inviting others to “Come unto Christ.” In doing so, they are being asked to be alert and avoid contact with others who may be displaying flu or cold-like symptoms.

Preach My Gospel states that turbulent times in the world often cause people to ask important questions of the soul. It is during these times that hearts are often softened and they are asking, “Where can I turn for the peace?” That is our message—that Jesus Christ is the source of all true peace on earth and will always be the answer to true questions of the soul.

Please be assured that all is well in the Australia Adelaide Mission. I am notifying our AAM missionaries today that they do not need to wait until their preparation day to reply to emails from parents who may have questions about their well-being. If you feel a need to talk with your son or daughter on the phone before their next preparation day, please simply reply to this email and I will ask them to call you.

We love your missionary sons and daughters. They are the “Hope of Israel, Zion’s Army!” and also the hope of the Australia Adelaide Mission! We are so grateful to you and for you and as we pray for our missionaries, we also pray for you and your families.

With great love and appreciation,

President & Sister Marquis

This was the start of Covid-19 impact and Parker's mission. We have faith that everything will be okay and that Parker is where she needs to be. She will be protected and well taken care of.