China and Missionaries

[nuclearfuels]

Recently heard from a missionary in China.

He said his local stake presidency asked at least one ward and one Chinese branch to fast and pray that China would be opened to missionary work.

Any chance you've heard a similar suggestion, locally or in other stakes?

I'm not sure if the Spirit prompted only her stake presidency - seems odd - rather than an Area Authority or 70 suggesting this as a goal. 

Also - I imagine if China did "open" it would be for Shanghai Temple missionaries and family history missionaries, rather than the entire country being open at one time.

[Calm]

44 minutes ago, nuclearfuels said:

I'm not sure if the Spirit prompted only her stake presidency - seems odd - rather than an Area Authority or 70 suggesting this as a goal.

Why does it seem odd?  Makes more sense to me the ones who live there would be more invested and therefore praying about it more..and being. Inspired (assuming it is inspiration and not just a ‘this sounds like a good idea’ conclusion)

[Rain]

Sounds like every stake president praying for the area around him.

[rpn]

Boy in this current environment that is a huge ask.    More power to them.  

[Pyreaux]

The LDS Church has engaged in humanitarian and service projects in China for years, despite the lack of formal missionary presence. The church has sent aid for natural disaster relief, helped with public health initiatives, and partnered with local organizations on various charitable projects. These humanitarian efforts have helped build goodwill and create a more positive image of the church in China. In recent years, the Church has emphasized its commitment to humanitarian work, and these efforts help maintaining open lines of communication with Chinese authorities.

Although missionaries are not allowed in China, the LDS Church has a significant number of Chinese members, many of whom are in Hong Kong and Taiwan. There has been a growing interest in online and digital ministry, especially as technology has allowed the church to more easily connect with Chinese-speaking members both in mainland China and abroad. Chinese members, especially students and expatriates, have been able to access church resources, including scriptures, devotionals, and other church-related content in Mandarin. This has led to the development of a modest but dedicated network of believers who remain connected to the church in various ways.

However, the Church is known for maintaining a generally cautious diplomatic position and the Chinese government is highly sensitive to any foreign religious influences, making missionaries in the immediate future seem unlikely but the political and legal landscape remains unpredictable.

The church has a robust presence in Hong Kong and Taiwan, where religious freedom is more protected. Hong Kong, in particular, has historically served as a gateway for Chinese members. Changes in the political climate in Hong Kong, especially with the recent tightening of control by the Chinese government, may have an impact on the church's ability to operate in the region, but it hasn't yet resulted in a significant change in the church's presence.

I'd suppose that members are feeling the shift as China takes control over Hong Kong's political, legal, and social systems in recent years, after the imposition of the National Security Law (NSL) in June 2020, which intended to curb dissent, limit free speech, and suppress activities deemed as subversive or a threat to national security. This law criminalized acts such as secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, and it allowed the Chinese government to exercise more direct control over Hong Kong's institutions, including the judiciary and the police.

Here’s how this could be impacting the Church in Hong Kong:

The law gives authorities the power to restrict or dissolve organizations seen as challenging state power, which could affect religious groups, including the LDS Church. While the LDS Church continues to operate in Hong Kong, there is growing uncertainty about the future of religious freedoms, particularly if the government further restricts public gatherings or increases surveillance of religious activities.
:
The LDS Church had been engaged in missionary work in Hong Kong for many years, but the tightening political climate has made the environment for proselytism more difficult. In the past, religious groups in Hong Kong, including the LDS Church, have operated relatively freely compared to mainland China. However, increased regulation of foreign organizations and activities (including religious groups) could complicate the Church’s ability to carry out missionary work. Although there has been no explicit ban on missionary activities, the climate of political and legal uncertainty has led to caution in how religious groups engage with the public.

The growing reach of Chinese surveillance and data control has raised concerns about how religious organizations are monitored. This could affect the LDS Church’s activities and the privacy of its members, especially in terms of communication and organizing events. Religious groups in Hong Kong have been under increased scrutiny, and it is likely that the Church is adapting its operations to ensure compliance with the local laws.

Edited November 13, 2024 by Pyreaux

[Dario_M]

I'm supprised that China has wards anyway. I thought that China didn't had LDS locations through the whole country. 

[nuclearfuels]

13 hours ago, Calm said:

Why does it seem odd?

I meant that to me, in a mission with very few Chinese people, it seems odd to me that a stake presidency would ask predominantly Caucasian members to fast and pray for China to open. Possibly due to President Nelson's reputation in China and his current age?

[nuclearfuels]

10 hours ago, Pyreaux said:

China

Thank you, Pyreaux

Based on the present situation in China then, would you suggest a possible increase in Temple Worker-missionaries and/or Family History service missionaries and/or disaster recovery missionaries - if China were to "open to missionary work"?

[Calm]

3 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

I meant that to me, in a mission with very few Chinese people, it seems odd to me that a stake presidency would ask predominantly Caucasian members to fast and pray for China to open. Possibly due to President Nelson's reputation in China and his current age?

I don’t understand your reasoning.  If anything, I would think it would be more likely to happen than not.  Why wouldn’t those blessed by the gospel want to be able to share it with others around them?

Is it the improbability that the desire for China to be open will be fulfilled anytime soon that leads to your surprise at it being asked?

Edited November 13, 2024 by Calm

[nuclearfuels]

19 hours ago, Calm said:

I don’t understand your reasoning.  If anything, I would think it would be more likely to happen than not.  Why wouldn’t those blessed by the gospel want to be able to share it with others around them?

Is it the improbability that the desire for China to be open will be fulfilled anytime soon that leads to your surprise at it being asked?

Yes, to both. 

Curious as to whether: 

1. the Stake Pres made the announcement based on thieir own inspriraiton - with no input from those up the chain in priesthood offices (Area Authorities, 70's, GA's, etc.)

2. the suggestion for praying and fasting for CHina to open came from  those up the chain in priesthood offices (Area Authorities, 70's, GA's, etc.)

[Rain]

26 minutes ago, nuclearfuels said:

Yes, to both. 

Curious as to whether: 

1. the Stake Pres made the announcement based on thieir own inspriraiton - with no input from those up the chain in priesthood offices (Area Authorities, 70's, GA's, etc.)

2. the suggestion for praying and fasting for CHina to open came from  those up the chain in priesthood offices (Area Authorities, 70's, GA's, etc.)

Why don't you ask the missionary you heard it from? They are much more likely to know or be able to find out than any of us are.

[nuclearfuels]

3 minutes ago, Rain said:

They are much more likely to know or be able to find out than any of us are.

Missionaries dont usually join stake presidencies for councils and stake conf prep. 

I'm asking the community here to see if anyone's heard a similar call - to fast and pray for China to open

[Rain]

2 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

Missionaries dont usually join stake presidencies for councils and stake conf prep. 

I'm asking the community here to see if anyone's heard a similar call - to fast and pray for China to open

Right, but that missionary would know that stake president or leader and may have talked with them about it or at least may know how to contact them and ask.  I get why you ask here, but if you really want to know then going to the source would be a more effective way.

Edited November 14, 2024 by Rain