Seattle Temple Closed, Some Area Meetings Canceled Due To Coronavirus Concerns

SEATTLE, Wash. – The Seattle Temple has been closed and some meetings in the area have been canceled, according to officials with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The temple closure and meeting adjustments came after Washington Governor Jay Inslee requested no large gatherings be held in the state. Thirteen people have died and more than 70 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Washington.

The Seattle Temple, located in Bellevue, Washington, was the sixth temple closed to due coronavirus concerns and the first in the United States.

Temple Closures

• Fukuoka Japan Temple
• Rome Italy Temple
• Seoul Korea Temple
• Sapporo Japan Temple
• Seattle Washington Temple (The governor of Washington has requested that no large gatherings take place.)
• Taipei Taiwan Temple
• Hong Kong China Temple (Previously closed for renovation)
• Tokyo Japan Temple (Previously closed for renovation)

In addition, Church officials said no stake conferences or priesthood leadership councils will be held in the area, due to the governor’s request.

Sunday worship services have been shortened to include only sacrament meetings in some areas while services have been canceled in others.

“Smaller gatherings, such as a sacrament meeting, are continuing in some areas,” officials said. “In circumstances where members are unable to gather for worship, they learn, teach and partake of the sacrament as families, as guided by local priesthood leaders.”

Church officials are also taking steps to reduce the number of missionaries in Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Singapore and Thailand, where the coronavirus is of particular concern.

Prospective missionaries preparing to serve in those countries will delay their start date or receive a temporary assignment.

Non-native missionaries serving in South Korea will be sent home and undergo two weeks of self-isolation and then be sent to new missions in their home countries.

Additionally, Church employees have been told to avoid non-essential international travel and officials said all business or missionary travel to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea has been suspended until further notice.

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