inquiringmind Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Was The Restored Gospel ever preached in the Ottoman Empire (and does the Church currently proselytize in any Islamic countries)?
Storm Rider Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 We do not formally proselytize in Islamic nations given the potentially rather severe consequences for of a convert that leaves Islam for another religion. We have wards and branches in many Islamic countries; for example, there are two wards here in Abu Dhabi. It does happen that a Muslim will convert and do so without a lot of conflict; however, I think those are exceptionally unique situations. We do not have missionaries here or anywhere in the stake. 3
inquiringmind Posted November 18, 2012 Author Posted November 18, 2012 We do not formally proselytize in Islamic nations given the potentially rather severe consequences for of a convert that leaves Islam for another religion. We have wards and branches in many Islamic countries; for example, there are two wards here in Abu Dhabi. It does happen that a Muslim will convert and do so without a lot of conflict; however, I think those are exceptionally unique situations. We do not have missionaries here or anywhere in the stake.Were any nineteenth century missionaries sent to the Ottoman Empire?
Hamba Tuhan Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 (edited) It depends on how you define 'Islamic country'. Indonesia has the single largest population of Muslims on the planet. Its constitution, however, recognises five faiths and guarantees religious choice. Our missionaries proselyte there. Neighbouring Malaysia's constitution establishes Islam as the state religion but also guarantees religious freedom, and I understand that our missionaries proselyte there as well. I think I was once told that the Church has had most of its success in Malaysia amongst ethnic Chinese (most of whom would not have been Muslim), but I don't know this for sure. I personally know many Indonesian Latter-day Saints who were formally Muslim.When Elder Orson Hyde visited Jerusalem, he was obviously in the Ottoman Emprire, and Jacob Spori (http://en.wikipedia....iki/Jacob_Spori) preached there as well. There may have been others.ETA: link for more info -- http://globalmormonism.byu.edu/?page_id=33. Edited November 18, 2012 by Hamba Tuhan 1
volgadon Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Were any nineteenth century missionaries sent to the Ottoman Empire?Hamba mentioned Jacob Spori. There were others, too, even Janne M. Sjodahl who later wrote commentaries on the BoM and D&C. http://files.lib.byu.edu/mormonmigration/articles/YouHadtheAlpsmhs1.1CharlesSpring2000.pdfThese two died in Haifa. I've been to the graves in the German Colony a few times with my father, who is extremely knowledgable on LDS history in Israel.http://www.ezratclark.org/familyfile_abrieflifeshistoryofjohnalexanderclark.asphttp://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=74836340While LDS missionaries tried to preach to everyone, it was usually only the German/Swiss and Armenians who were receptive. 1
Deborah Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Many, many years ago there was a convert family in our ward from Iran. At that time they were still fearful for their lives because of the opposition of family members and they ended up leaving the church because of that. It is a serious matter for some. 1
Calm Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 We had an Iranian family as well in our ward up in Canada. They had been baptized when they lived in Germany so I don't believe there was any family opposition as I don't know if they were exposed to the gospel prior to leaving Iran or not. They decided to go to another ward that had German speakers since the mother didn't speak English.
theplains Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Is there a special version of Gospel Principles (that excludes the chapter on Exaltation) which is givento those in predominantly Islamic countries which want to learn about the LDS faith?Thanks,Jim
volgadon Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Is there a special version of Gospel Principles (that excludes the chapter on Exaltation) which is givento those in predominantly Islamic countries which want to learn about the LDS faith?Thanks,JimNo.
harfad Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 If I am not mistaken, the Church has a mission and missionaries in Turkey. Also, during the former regime before the Islamic revolution, the Church had a mission and missionaries in Iran. But it was closed down and missionaries pulled out after the revolution.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Was The Restored Gospel ever preached in the Ottoman Empire (and does the Church currently proselytize in any Islamic countries)?No...and unless laws change, it never will. Also our young people serving mission would be in great danger.
Calm Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Is there a special version of Gospel Principles (that excludes the chapter on Exaltation) which is givento those in predominantly Islamic countries which want to learn about the LDS faith?Thanks,JimWhy would they exclude certain chapters for Muslims to read about?
Calm Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 If I am not mistaken, the Church has a mission and missionaries in Turkey. Also, during the former regime before the Islamic revolution, the Church had a mission and missionaries in Iran. But it was closed down and missionaries pulled out after the revolution.Turkey: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/turkey/Armenia: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/armenia/Indonesia: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/indonesia/ plus there is a site that has church materials and information on it in Bahasa here: http://www.lds.org/languages/indMalaysia: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/malaysia/Links to other Asian countries can be clicked on at any one of the links above.The only thing listed for the United Arab Emirates is a Family History Center: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/united-arab-emirates/
Calm Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 (edited) https://www.lds.org/...n-iran?lang=engSoon after our arrival in Iran, we wrote to the Switzerland Mission president, Edwin Q. Cannon, Jr., informing him of our address and asking him to request our membership records. (At that time, the Saints in Iran, and in other Middle Eastern countries, were the responsibility of that mission. Now Iran has been assigned to the International Mission, headquartered in Salt Lake City.) Still hopeful of finding some nearby Latter-day Saints, I hoped President Cannon would send us names and addresses of two or three other families in Shiraz. He could not furnish us with area Latter-day Saint families, but he did authorize us to participate in the sacrament in our home.A note about “We Were the Church in Iran” (April 1974 Ensign). The Church has a branch in Tehran, Iran, where we have about 80 members. A branch has been here for about 20 years, the older members tell me. The author’s article was about a small town in Iran, and she probably was the only member there. Total membership for all of Iran is about 182 persons. We have a few Iranian members, but mostly the branch represents families of civilians and military personnel associated with the U.S. government.Mrs. Roger RedmondTehran, Iranhttp://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=59&sourceId=ef4b61cb2b86b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRDhttp://www.lds.org/church/news/church-leaders-address-servicemen-and-servicewomen?lang=eng&query=iraq Edited November 18, 2012 by calmoriah
Bikeemikey Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 No...and unless laws change, it never will. Also our young people serving mission would be in great danger.Can you clarify what you mean by this. As already mentioned Indonesia (the largest Muslim believing country in he world) has a very active missionary presence.So what do you mean?
Nathair/|\ Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 After I watched the film about a young Iranian woman who was martyred by her government, it occurred to me that the only way to prevent others from paying her price is through the message of the restoration. She is a modern day Ammonite.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 Can you clarify what you mean by this. As already mentioned Indonesia (the largest Muslim believing country in he world) has a very active missionary presence.So what do you mean?I was thinking more of the middle east, otherwise I would need to include half of Spain. Within 50 years all of Europe will be muslim...as far as the danger part this is a world that requires death if one converts. I know it is not PC to be blunt, but I am not being critical of Muslims, I am speaking of the tinderbox that is now the Middleast, we are not allowed to serve or ever speak about our faith in Israel...or China for the most part. In contries like Japan converting can mean discrimination in the workplace and socially. Living in America sometimes makes us think everyone is like us...even in England, Mormons are disliked in some circles for past mistakes. The MMM is still used as a means of labeling us as murderers. I hope this helps clear up what I mean...don't know how to explain any better.
Judd Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 We have (proselyting) missionaries in Turkey and Pakistan. There were missionaries in Iran in the 70s.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 We have (proselyting) missionaries in Turkey and Pakistan. There were missionaries in Iran in the 70s.No why they are there now...some countries only allow miiss's from their country.
Hamba Tuhan Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 No why they are there now...some countries only allow miiss's from their country.Pa Pa, I'm certain you mean well, but you're making factually incorrect statements: http://ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/turkey-opening-for-missionary-work.html.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 Pa Pa, I'm certain you mean well, but you're making factually incorrect statements: http://ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/turkey-opening-for-missionary-work.html.Won't be the first time...which one was incorrect, I make so many.
Hamba Tuhan Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 (edited) In addition, remember that I personally know dozens of formerly Muslim Latter-day Saints who have converted without any undue opposition. When I was living in America, I became close friends with a family who were Islamic fundamentalists who had fled Indonesia to Malaysia and then later been taken in by the US as political refugees. (They had been involved in an Islamic separatist movement.) They've never converted, but, when their son was born, they asked me and a few other LDS friends to give him a blessing and name him, which we did with the local bishop's authorisation. In many places of the world, Muslims rightfully see us LDS as their friends and defenders, and I'm grateful for those bridges. Let's please not burn them. Edited November 19, 2012 by Hamba Tuhan 1
Hamba Tuhan Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 Won't be the first time...which one was incorrect, I make so many. that we didn't have missionaries serving in the former Ottoman Empirethat we don't now and won't have unless laws change (note from my link that we have missionaries currently serving in Istanbul)that our missionaries would be in physical danger in such placesthat all Muslims who convert are in danger of losing their livesthat Europe is going to be 100% Muslim in another 38 years 1
volgadon Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 Won't be the first time...which one was incorrect, I make so many. The silver lining is that if you make errors, you must be alive... Kidding, but we are all fallible. 2
canard78 Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 Why would they exclude certain chapters for Muslims to read about?Indeed, was about to ask the same. Why would we include principles like God as Father and a living prophet (both heresy) but take out something?
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