ST. GEORGE — Two years after closing its temples worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the temples will begin to “return to full operation.”

“We are eager to return the temples to full operation as soon as possible,” the church’s First Presidency said in a Tuesday press release. “Thank you for your patience during restricted temple operations that occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The church closed its temples in March 2020 soon after the pandemic began and since has been either reopening them in phases or by appointment only. Last fall, while some temples were operational, patrons and workers still were to wear masks. With Tuesday’s announcement, the church is beginning to eliminate mask and capacity requirements.

However, a “return to normal operations” will be determined by local church authorities based on local circumstances.

This move comes as a result of more people being immunized against COVID-19, the First Presidency stated. The church itself has been a supporter of vaccination efforts and has encouraged its members to be vaccinated.

Latter-day Saint temples are considered “Houses of the Lord” for members of the faith and are among their most sacred places of worship.

While all are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses, the primary purpose of temples is for faithful church members to participate in ceremonies related to marriage as well as proxy baptisms and other ordinances on behalf of deceased ancestors.

Temples are also central to the church’s longstanding doctrine related to the “eternal nature of the family,” which teaches a family unit can be “sealed” together for eternity in the afterlife. The eternal binding of the family can extend back through the generations, which is why Latter-day Saints place heavy emphasis on genealogical research. It allows them to find ancestors whose names they can take to a temple where proxy ceremonies on behalf of that ancestor can be performed.

The temples are also considered a place Latter-day Saints can go to find peace and comfort in the face of difficult times or trying decisions as they seek to connect with the Almighty.

“We trust that our members will rejoice in the lessening of restrictions and will increase their commitment to temple and family history work,” the First Presidency said.

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