Continents and Climes

[JLHPROF]

Elder Holland indicated that once the gospel had penetrated every continent and clime that the Savior would be able to return.

So I ask, not expecting the entire world to be converted, what continents and climes have no gospel access for acceptance or rejection?  Which area still needs an opportunity before the Savior can return?  China?  Iran?  Antarctica?

With the Internet, where hasn't the gospel reached, recognizing that many won't accept Christ before he returns?

[probablyHagoth7]

2 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

Elder Holland indicated that once the gospel had penetrated every continent and clime that the Savior would be able to return.

So I ask, not expecting the entire world to be converted, what continents and climes have no gospel access for acceptance or rejection?  Which area still needs an opportunity before the Savior can return?  China?  Iran?  Antarctica?

With the Internet, where hasn't the gospel reached, recognizing that many won't accept Christ before he returns?

 

I recall a conference session years ago where a latter-day prophet said that the admonition to preach the kingdom to every nation had already been fulfilled.

My brother sitting right next to me heard the exact same thing, and we discussed it immediately after the meeting closed.

...Yet it wasn't in later broadcast versions of the talk.

[rodheadlee]

Gonzaga Bay, Baja California Norte.

[bluebell]

I'm thinking a lot of the middle east probably has no access to the gospel.  Rural parts of any country and continent could also be included (jungles, extreme deserts, etc.)  I also think that war-torn places could qualify. Places such as those in Africa which are so war torn that it is impossible for anyone there to access the gospel.  

[Tacenda]

9 minutes ago, bluebell said:

I'm thinking a lot of the middle east probably has no access to the gospel.  Rural parts of any country and continent could also be included (jungles, extreme deserts, etc.)  I also think that war-torn places could qualify. Places such as those in Africa which are so war torn that it is impossible for anyone there to access the gospel.  

How about the Aboriginal people of Australia? I wonder if the missionaries are allowed to teach them? 

[Ouagadougou]

2 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Elder Holland indicated that once the gospel had penetrated every continent and clime that the Savior would be able to return.

So I ask, not expecting the entire world to be converted, what continents and climes have no gospel access for acceptance or rejection?  Which area still needs an opportunity before the Savior can return?  China?  Iran?  Antarctica?

With the Internet, where hasn't the gospel reached, recognizing that many won't accept Christ before he returns?

Just from a quick look, there are still lots of areas:  Middle East, Northern Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia (China, Bangladesh) and other geographic regions.  

Look at the top 10 most populated countries in the world -- there are billions of people with little to no access.  

 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1_jhrdmLV95LYYHz6I16Igp261bg&hl=en_US&ll=5.391830961477919%2C95.29274897431674&z=3

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats8.htm

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 2, 2017 by Ouagadougou

[Calm]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

How about the Aboriginal people of Australia? I wonder if the missionaries are allowed to teach them? 

Why wouldn't they be?

[Tacenda]

3 minutes ago, Calm said:

Why wouldn't they be?

I don't know, maybe it's like the jungles, we don't proselyte there do we? But if Crocodile Dundee can, they could, haha!

Edited April 2, 2017 by Tacenda

[Calm]

Do you really think all or even most aboriginal Australians live in inaccessible regions?

"Contrary to what many people think (and to the stereotype of Australian advertising) the majority of Aboriginal people live in Australia’s eastern states and not in the remote desert regions of the continent [1]...

In 2006 the majority (75%) of Aboriginal people lived in cities and non-remote areas. 32% lived in major cities, 21% in inner regional areas and 22% in outer regional areas. Contrary to what is commonly believed, only a quarter lived in remote (9%) and very remote (15%) areas [9]."

 https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/aboriginal-population-in-australia#ixzz4d7s4UWAq

If you are thinking of people who live in the Outback, missionaries have been there  for sometime:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1982/02/news-of-the-church/missionary-work-in-the-central-australian-outback?lang=eng

More details, there are aboriginal LDS missionaries btw:

http://www.cumorah.com/index.php?target=view_other_articles&story_id=538&cat_id=30

Also:

https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-cook-says-gospel-is-thriving-in-the-amazon-rain-forest?lang=eng

Edited April 2, 2017 by Calm

[Tacenda]

Just now, Calm said:

Do you really think all or even most aboriginal Australians live in inaccessible regions?

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1982/02/news-of-the-church/missionary-work-in-the-central-australian-outback?lang=eng Just saw this! 

[Ouagadougou]

2 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Elder Holland indicated that once the gospel had penetrated every continent and clime that the Savior would be able to return.

So I ask, not expecting the entire world to be converted, what continents and climes have no gospel access for acceptance or rejection?  Which area still needs an opportunity before the Savior can return?  China?  Iran?  Antarctica?

With the Internet, where hasn't the gospel reached, recognizing that many won't accept Christ before he returns?

There are more refugees in the world than there are members of the church.  IMO, the church is pretty insignificant on the global level (with 16 million members) with over 7 billion people on earth.

Look at the top ten countries by population:

China - 1.3 Billion:  no missions other than Hong Kong

India - 1.3 Billion: 2 missions

USA - 325 million:  several missions

Indonesia 263 million: 1 mission 

Brazil 211 million: several missions

Pakistan 196 million: no missions

Nigeria 191 million:  6 missions

Bangladesh 164 million:  no missions 

Russia 143 million:  7 missions 

Mexico 130 million:  several missions

If you look at China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, (and many other countries) how many people have access to the Internet or are even allowed to access LDS websites?  

There are still billions of people who don't really have access for acceptance or rejection.  

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1_jhrdmLV95LYYHz6I16Igp261bg&hl=en_US&ll=38.279644880929176%2C112.24087865968795&z=4

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats8.htm

http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html

[Tacenda]

47 minutes ago, Calm said:

Do you really think all or even most aboriginal Australians live in inaccessible regions?

"Contrary to what many people think (and to the stereotype of Australian advertising) the majority of Aboriginal people live in Australia’s eastern states and not in the remote desert regions of the continent [1]...

In 2006 the majority (75%) of Aboriginal people lived in cities and non-remote areas. 32% lived in major cities, 21% in inner regional areas and 22% in outer regional areas. Contrary to what is commonly believed, only a quarter lived in remote (9%) and very remote (15%) areas [9]."

 https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/aboriginal-population-in-australia#ixzz4d7s4UWAq

If you are thinking of people who live in the Outback, missionaries have been there  for sometime:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1982/02/news-of-the-church/missionary-work-in-the-central-australian-outback?lang=eng

More details, there are aboriginal LDS missionaries btw:

http://www.cumorah.com/index.php?target=view_other_articles&story_id=538&cat_id=30

Also:

https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-cook-says-gospel-is-thriving-in-the-amazon-rain-forest?lang=eng

Yes...didn't do my googling before I opened my big mouth. Also, notice how we cross posted at the exact time with the links about LDS missionaries in the Australia Outback? I'll have to ask my BIL if he proselyted there, he served his mission in Australia.

Edited April 2, 2017 by Tacenda

[Teancum]

3 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Elder Holland indicated that once the gospel had penetrated every continent and clime that the Savior would be able to return.

So I ask, not expecting the entire world to be converted, what continents and climes have no gospel access for acceptance or rejection?  Which area still needs an opportunity before the Savior can return?  China?  Iran?  Antarctica?

With the Internet, where hasn't the gospel reached, recognizing that many won't accept Christ before he returns?

Well given technology and it's reach maybe there is nowhere where the LDS gospel has not reached.  But some nations like China limit what its population has access to. 

Still it will I don't expect Jesus to show up anytime soon  

 

 

 

[Teancum]

41 minutes ago, Ouagadougou said:

There are more refugees in the world than there are members of the church.  IMO, the church is pretty insignificant on the global level (with 16 million members) with over 7 billion people on earth.

Look at the top ten countries by population:

China - 1.3 Billion:  no missions other than Hong Kong

India - 1.3 Billion: 2 missions

USA - 325 million:  several missions

Indonesia 263 million: 1 mission 

Brazil 211 million: several missions

Pakistan 196 million: no missions

Nigeria 191 million:  6 missions

Bangladesh 164 million:  no missions 

Russia 143 million:  7 missions 

Mexico 130 million:  several missions

If you look at China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, (and many other countries) how many people have access to the Internet or are even allowed to access LDS websites?  

There are still billions of people who don't really have access for acceptance or rejection.  

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1_jhrdmLV95LYYHz6I16Igp261bg&hl=en_US&ll=38.279644880929176%2C112.24087865968795&z=4

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats8.htm

http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html

Indeed.  While Mormons love to think the LDS church has made some significant impact in the world it really is hardly noticed at all.  16 million members with maybe 30 to 35% activity world wide?  Hardly makes any difference to almost all the humans on this planet. 

[bluebell]

2 minutes ago, Teancum said:

Indeed.  While Mormons love to think the LDS church has made some significant impact in the world it really is hardly noticed at all.  16 million members with maybe 30 to 35% activity world wide?  Hardly makes any difference to almost all the humans on this planet. 

It made a difference to that one.  

[Teancum]

Just now, bluebell said:

It made a difference to that one.  

Well sure one on one.  This assumes it is all really true which is doubtful. 

[bluebell]

Just now, Teancum said:

Well sure one on one.  This assumes it is all really true which is doubtful. 

The gospel is about the individual. It's about the one-on-one. 

You can't ignore that when trying to gauge its influence. 

But, scriptures also talk about the parable of the leaven, showing that numbers alone are a poor way to judge influence or impact. 

[Ouagadougou]

43 minutes ago, Teancum said:

Indeed.  While Mormons love to think the LDS church has made some significant impact in the world it really is hardly noticed at all.  16 million members with maybe 30 to 35% activity world wide?  Hardly makes any difference to almost all the humans on this planet. 

Yep.  Just look at how many millions of people are still slaves today:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/worldviews/wp/2013/10/17/this-map-shows-where-the-worlds-30-million-slaves-live-there-are-60000-in-the-u-s/

[Glenn101]

1 hour ago, Teancum said:

Well sure one on one.  This assumes it is all really true which is doubtful. 

Whether the story is actually true or is a parable, it makes a good point.

However, there is also the act from the perspective of a clam.

[Stargazer]

3 hours ago, Tacenda said:

I don't know, maybe it's like the jungles, we don't proselyte there do we? But if Crocodile Dundee can, they could, haha!

In my new ward in England, just a couple of months ago we had a full-time missionary who was a native Papua New Guinean.  That's just north of Australia, and he was a native Papuan -- I don't think Papuans are genetically linked to Aussie Aborigines, but they might be.

Here's a profile on Mormon.org of an Aboriginal Mormon: https://www.mormon.org/deon

ETA: I see that your question has already been answered.

Edited April 3, 2017 by Stargazer

[clarkgoble]

6 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Elder Holland indicated that once the gospel had penetrated every continent and clime that the Savior would be able to return.

So I ask, not expecting the entire world to be converted, what continents and climes have no gospel access for acceptance or rejection?  Which area still needs an opportunity before the Savior can return?  China?  Iran?  Antarctica?

With the Internet, where hasn't the gospel reached, recognizing that many won't accept Christ before he returns?

Mainly the Islamic countries and China. If you require a robust (and free) missionary program then most of the world's population is still out of reach. That would include not just those countries but many others like Russia or India where proselytizing is severely constrained.

Edited April 3, 2017 by clarkgoble

[RevTestament]

7 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Elder Holland indicated that once the gospel had penetrated every continent and clime that the Savior would be able to return.

So I ask, not expecting the entire world to be converted, what continents and climes have no gospel access for acceptance or rejection?  Which area still needs an opportunity before the Savior can return?  China?  Iran?  Antarctica?

With the Internet, where hasn't the gospel reached, recognizing that many won't accept Christ before he returns?

Saudi Arabia

[Rajah Manchou]

2 hours ago, clarkgoble said:

Mainly the Islamic countries and China. If you require a robust (and free) missionary program then most of the world's population is still out of reach. That would include not just those countries but many others like Russia or India where proselytizing is severely constrained.

I think that requirement is the reason we are so far behind in making an impact in those hard to reach places. India, for example. The states of NE India have the highest concentration (~90%) of active Christians in the world. Millions upon millions of Christians from a number of different faiths. But not a single Mormon.

I suppose because it is off limits to official missionaries, it remains out of reach. 

Edited April 3, 2017 by Rajah Manchou

[Robert F. Smith]

9 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Elder Holland indicated that once the gospel had penetrated every continent and clime that the Savior would be able to return.

So I ask, not expecting the entire world to be converted, what continents and climes have no gospel access for acceptance or rejection?  Which area still needs an opportunity before the Savior can return?  China?  Iran?  Antarctica?

With the Internet, where hasn't the gospel reached, recognizing that many won't accept Christ before he returns?

Among the plethora of scientists who regularly work in Antarctica, there have likely been a number of Mormons.  Not missionaries.  So there are very few places where Mormons have not been.  Perhaps the question is one of official missionary recognition.  In any case, Elder Holland is using a common expression, like "place and clime," in a generic way.   We should not push the specific meaning too far.  However, it is not yet.

[The Nehor]

How comprehensive do many imagine this to be. There are still tribes uncontacted by global civilization. Do we have to preach to all of them before the Savior returns?