Life meaning, God’s grace, and the COVID-19 pandemic: Reflections among Latter-day Saints

This qualitative study sought to identify and describe themes related to how the Latter-day Saint community coped with the COVID-19 pandemic with particular emphasis on divine grace and meaning/purpose (M/P). It illuminates ways in which an understudied religious community accessed their faith beliefs to make sense of an unparalleled (in modern times) worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Applying a hybrid deductive-inductive approach to qualitative thematic analysis and a limited grounded theory framework, researchers conducted, transcribed, and coded semi-structured interviews with members of the Latter-day Saint community. Several themes emerged from the data including (1) faith, religion, and religious beliefs during challenges and hardships, including relying on one’s faith to get through challenges, the focus of grace and blessings through trials, and the belief in God bringing peace; (2) role of God and God’s plan during the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) benefits of the COVID-19 pandemic and opportunities related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) religious/spiritual practices during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (5) global characteristics of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unique themes appeared related to God’s grace and M/P that are discussed in further detail. Overall, participants framed their responses in ways that portrayed the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to practice faith and experience growth. Participants’ foundational beliefs of a loving, omnipotent God were not challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather, the COVID-19 pandemic was viewed as a method God uses to teach lessons and increase faith. Unique cultural components related to the Latter-day Saint community are discussed.