From the Church

Primary General President Offers Prayer at White House

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“Please help us to unite as one nation under God,” said Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary general president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, during a prayer at the White House in Washington, D.C., Thursday, May 2, 2019. 

The worldwide leader of the Church’s children’s organization joined faith leaders from across the country to offer prayers on the National Day of Prayer

“We express our gratitude for Thy goodness and mercy,” said Sister Jones, who was accompanied by her husband, Robert, in the Rose Garden for the morning ceremony. “We thank Thee for the freedoms we enjoy. We acknowledge our accountability to Thee, and to each other, for how we exercise those freedoms.” 

This is the second year in a row that a general leader of the Church has been invited to participate in the annual interfaith event. It was just one year ago that Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president, offered a prayer on behalf of the Church.

Sister Jones continued, “We give thanks for the infinite grace of Thy Son Jesus Christ. May we draw on His example and strength as we seek to lift Thy children, to care for the widows and the wounded, and to serve the poor of both purse and spirit.” 

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation earlier this week designating May 2 as a National Day of Prayer.

“We condemn all hate and violence, particularly in our places of worship," said President Trump.

“I invite the citizens of our nation to pray, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, in thanksgiving for the freedoms and blessings we have received, and for God’s guidance and continued protection as we meet the challenges before us,” he said.

Here is Sister Joy D. Jones's full prayer:

O God, our Eternal Father, we approach Thee today in humble prayer. At our nation’s founding, its leaders sought Thee. During war and peace, in prosperity and poverty, we pled for Thy providential care. And Thou hast continually answered our supplications in godly wisdom. On this National Day of Prayer, we express our gratitude for Thy goodness and mercy. We thank Thee for the freedoms we enjoy. We acknowledge our accountability to Thee, and to each other, for how we exercise those freedoms. At this time, Father, we pray for our public servants. We pray for the leaders of this nation. Bless them, protect them and grant them wisdom. Magnify their efforts as they seek to live up to the holy charge of their vocation. We ask for Thy watchcare over those in uniform. Please bless their spouses, their children and their loved ones. Bless them for the sacrifices they make on our behalf. Father, we pray for the religious leaders of this land. Grant them the strength to shepherd their flocks in Thy word. Inspire our citizenry. Strengthen the families and communities of the United States of America. Please help us to unite as one nation under God. We give thanks for the infinite grace of Thy Son Jesus Christ. May we draw on His example and strength as we seek to lift Thy children, to care for the widows and the wounded, and to serve the poor of both purse and spirit. Father, in these times of heightened complexities and opportunities, we plead for Thy continued guidance and forbearance. We commit to love with more righteousness and to live with greater moral rectitude. Thou hast always inclined Thine ear to our nation’s petitions, and we are forever grateful. We offer this prayer in that same spirit of gratitude and reverence, and we do so in the sacred name of Thy Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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President Trump and The First Lady Participate in the National Day of Prayer Service

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