Bernard Gui Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 A friend has predicted 100 missionaries will be in Cuba within a year. Any thoughts? (No politics, please)
Alan Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 I can't see it being more than 98, so your friend's wrong IMO. 4
Scott Lloyd Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) If there were such a mission it would be called the Cuba Havana Mission in keeping with the Church's naming conventions, not the Havana Cuba Mission. Just sayin'. Edited July 20, 2015 by Scott Lloyd 2
Scott Lloyd Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) A slight diversion, but you can ignore it if you wish. I was just wondering if anyone has heard recently the number of missionaries currently serving. I had hoped to get that figure some weeks ago when the Seminar for New MIssion Presidents was held, but I didn't get that assignment this year as I was covering the Mormon Tabernacle Choir tour. I'm interested, because Mike Reed predicted in January that the number would fall back down "within two or three years" presumably to the pre-surge level where it stood in 2012. As some will recall, I am tracking that prediction. In that predicted two-year span, there is now this much time left: 1 year, 5 months, 2 weeks, 6days, 9 hours, 50 minutes and 11 seconds. Edited July 20, 2015 by Scott Lloyd
Bernard Gui Posted July 20, 2015 Author Posted July 20, 2015 I can't see it being more than 98, so your friend's wrong IMO.Well, at least it's an even number.
Bernard Gui Posted July 20, 2015 Author Posted July 20, 2015 If there were such a mission it would be called the Cuba Havana Mission in keeping with the Church's naming conventions, not the Havana Cuba Mission. Just sayin'.I like my way better.
Kenngo1969 Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Albeit slowly and quietly, good things are happening relative to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cuba: https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-holland-creates-second-branch-in-cuba?lang=eng Edited July 20, 2015 by Kenngo1969 2
Scott Lloyd Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 Be great if there was one.I think under the current regime, it would be problematic. Imagine the Castro brothers being able to seize Church assets on a whim.
toon Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 A friend has predicted 100 missionaries will be in Cuba within a year.Any thoughts? (No politics, please) I wouldn't be surprised if missionary work were opened up within a year. But I can't imagine that many missionaries, even close to that. I just don't think that the necessary logistical support is or will be there for any more than just a few. Is Cuba already within an existing mission's boundaries? Fort Lauderdale, or one of the Dominican Republic missions? I can see a few pairs being sent over within a year or so.
Kenngo1969 Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 I think under the current regime, it would be problematic. Imagine the Castro brothers being able to seize Church assets on a whim.Perhaps, but I remember talk that the former USSR, East Germany, and other Soviet bloc countries wouldn't be opened for the preaching of the Gospel in my lifetime. Not only did it happen in my lifetime, it happened just a few short years after those conversations took place. One of the most interesting aspects of President Monson's biography is all of the stuff that took place behind the scenes and under the radar in East Germany. I have little doubt that similar efforts now are underway in Cuba, mainland China, and similar places. Pretty much all it takes is one "Gorby." 1
Scott Lloyd Posted July 20, 2015 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Perhaps, but I remember talk that the former USSR, East Germany, and other Soviet bloc countries wouldn't be opened for the preaching of the Gospel in my lifetime. Not only did it happen in my lifetime, it happened just a few short years after those conversations took place. One of the most interesting aspects of President Monson's biography is all of the stuff that took place behind the scenes and under the radar in East Germany. I have little doubt that similar efforts now are underway in Cuba, mainland China, and similar places. Pretty much all it takes is one "Gorby." I hope you're right. The difference between then and now is we didn't have American politicians crawling into bed with Soviet leaders. What you speak of happened after the literal fall of the Communist empire and the Soviet Union. I don't see that happening in Cuba. Edited July 20, 2015 by Scott Lloyd
Avatar4321 Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 I think under the current regime, it would be problematic. Imagine the Castro brothers being able to seize Church assets on a whim.Imagine the power of righteousness breaking off the yoke of oppression. God can do miracles. 1
Stargazer Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 I can't see it being more than 98, so your friend's wrong IMO. A good thing I had swallowed the mouthful of water I was drinking when I read this, or I'd have been wiping off the computer monitor and the desk. 1
thesometimesaint Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 I hope you're right. The difference between then and now is we didn't have American politicians crawling into bed with Soviet leaders. What you speak of happened after the literal fall of the Communist empire and the Soviet Union. I don't see that happening in Cuba. No it did not. The first Temple in Germany was in what was formerly East Germany. SEE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freiberg_Germany_TempleThe Freiberg Germany Temple (formerly the Freiberg GDR Temple) is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), located in Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. The church announced the temple in October 1982, ground was broken for construction on April 23, 1983, and the temple was dedicated on June 29 and June 30, 1985. The former USSR did not fall until Dec 26 1991.
Freedom Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 I think under the current regime, it would be problematic. Imagine the Castro brothers being able to seize Church assets on a whim.East German Temple, Russian chapels...I don't see this as a concern to the brethren.
Scott Lloyd Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 (edited) No it did not. The first Temple in Germany was in what was formerly East Germany.SEE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freiberg_Germany_TempleThe Freiberg Germany Temple (formerly the Freiberg GDR Temple) is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), located in Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. The church announced the temple in October 1982, ground was broken for construction on April 23, 1983, and the temple was dedicated on June 29 and June 30, 1985.The former USSR did not fall until Dec 26 1991.I said we didn't have American politicians cozying up to Soviet leaders. And we didn't that I recall. It's s different situation today. Edited July 21, 2015 by Scott Lloyd
Scott Lloyd Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 East German Temple, Russian chapels...I don't see this as a concern to the brethren.I'm betting they're more concerned than you think.
thesometimesaint Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 I said we didn't have American politicians cozying up to Soviet leaders. And we didn't that I recall. It's s different situation today. Detente' was an American Presidents' idea(Richard Nixon).SEE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9tente I grew up under the threat of Nuclear War, and remember well the "Duck and Cover" drills of the 50's and early 60's. Easing those fears was a good thing. Under President Obama significant banking, travel and other restrictions have been put in place. But they are far short of the Cold War. It is always a different situation with the USSR/Russian government. They are not our friends. Too many Nukes to take them lightly. Whether we will ever cozy up to Vlad "the Impaler" Putin remains to be seen, but I seriously doubt that it will happen anytime soon.
Kenngo1969 Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 (edited) I hope you're right. What you speak of happened after the literal fall of the Communist empire and the Soviet Union. I don't see that happening in Cuba. Not entirely. East Germany was opened for the preaching of the Gospel, and a temple was built there, before the Berlin Wall fell. Granted, it took years of patient negotiations and many small acts by small numbers of members who largely were isolated from the rest of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to convince East German leaders that the Church was more interested in spiritual conversion than it was in political subversion. The miracle is the fact that the Church of Jesus Christ has a presence in Cuba under the Castro regime at all, albeit a small one. Perhaps our members there can work a similar miracle as a little lump of leaven that gradually leavens more of Cuba's 11.2 million inhabitants, gradually convincing the Castro regime that the Church of Jesus Christ is, likewise, less interested in political subversion than it is in spiritual conversion in the process of doing so. The difference between then and now is we didn't have American politicians crawling into bed with Soviet leaders.No, no we didn't. But as many misgivings as I might have about the current U.S. posture toward, and policy concerning, Cuba, perhaps the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can make silk purses out of those sows' ears. Time will tell. P.S.: Oh, and in answer to the OP, the first missionaries sent to Cuba will come from the Dominican Republic (or perhaps they will be Spanish-speaking missionaries sent from a Florida mission, but I think there would be less of a cultural transition for them if they came from the DR). And eventually, I think 101 missionaries will be sent to Cuba (50 companionships and one threesome. ) P.P.S. The ever-perceptive Bro. Gui has pointed out that my math is off: I was counting one of the companionships as a threesome, and therefore should have written 49 companionships and one threesome. (I've only got a doctorate: I'll learn to count shortly! ) Edited July 22, 2015 by Kenngo1969
Freedom Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 I'm betting they're more concerned than you think.But clearly not concerned enough to have reservations about expanding in such countries. In the Ukraine, for example, the church is not allowed to own land. They rent all their properties and the landlord (the government) can and does go in any time they want to inspect. Despite this, the church keeps on expanding there.
jkwilliams Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 A slight diversion, but you can ignore it if you wish. I was just wondering if anyone has heard recently the number of missionaries currently serving. I had hoped to get that figure some weeks ago when the Seminar for New MIssion Presidents was held, but I didn't get that assignment this year as I was covering the Mormon Tabernacle Choir tour. I'm interested, because Mike Reed predicted in January that the number would fall back down "within two or three years" presumably to the pre-surge level where it stood in 2012. As some will recall, I am tracking that prediction. In that predicted two-year span, there is now this much time left: 1 year, 5 months, 2 weeks, 6days, 9 hours, 50 minutes and 11 seconds. For the record, I doubt it will ever go back to the pre-surge level. More young men will go because a mission will be the next logical step after high school. And more young women will go because the age is lower. That said, I also don't believe the number will continue to be as high as it is now because there was a predictable jump at the beginning. After things stabilize, I expect to see marginally higher numbers of young men and significantly higher numbers of young women. Not that I'm prophesying or anything.
Avatar4321 Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 For the record, I doubt it will ever go back to the pre-surge level. More young men will go because a mission will be the next logical step after high school. And more young women will go because the age is lower. That said, I also don't believe the number will continue to be as high as it is now because there was a predictable jump at the beginning. After things stabilize, I expect to see marginally higher numbers of young men and significantly higher numbers of young women. Not that I'm prophesying or anything.I don't think the numbers will drop
jkwilliams Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 I don't think the numbers will drop They will have to drop somewhat because there isn't going to be another time going forward when you have an overlap of older and younger missionaries.
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