New York has the most coronavirus cases of any state in the United States, and Latter-day Saints in the Empire State are among those suffering from the effects of COVID-19.
Church News recently spoke to local ecclesiastical leaders about the effect COVID-19 is having on their communities. In New York, over 202,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported with more than 10,000 deaths, according to The New York Times. Latter-day Saints are included in both of those numbers.
“We’ve been hit hard,” Brooklyn New York Stake President Robert Shull told Church News. “We’ve had four people who have passed away, have more than 50 people who have been diagnosed and have probably another 100 or more people who have symptoms without being formally diagnosed.”
The disease is also causing members to lose jobs or be furloughed, but amid the crisis, the members find hope as they minister. President Shull told Church News he feels more gratitude for the inspired direction from President Russell M. Nelson to implement the ministering program over a year ago.
“President Nelson has helped us understand ministering in a better way,” he told Church News. “Without this program, this moment would be really hard.”
READ MORE ABOUT HOW MEMBERS ARE MINISTERING IN QUARANTINED NEW YORK AT Church News.
