tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post1026750147724708006..comments2024-03-28T17:29:15.006-06:00Comments on Growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church): July 2014 NewsletterMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16030323360917985701noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-60067885074508081992014-08-24T08:44:30.029-06:002014-08-24T08:44:30.029-06:00Phoenix East Stake had until the 1990 changes in t...Phoenix East Stake had until the 1990 changes in the ward budget moving from a member-driven budget to a Church-provided budget had similar 'spaghetti' wards. <br /><br />All seven wards in the stake ran from just south of I-10 up to what we knew then as Squaw Peak (theoretical boundary was the then-planned SR-50 freeway, cancelled, currently Northern Avenue).<br /><br />Most all the wards were less than a mile wide, maybe one was wider but that was about the case until after 1990. They went to a more traditional neighborhood model after the financial changes in 1990.<br /><br />For that meeting, see this page and scroll down to the 'Member Finance Fireside' at the bottom of the page, video, audio, and text is available. <br /><br /> https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/1990/04?lang=engJames Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12831340842937216806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-88763175439678364292014-08-23T18:38:06.910-06:002014-08-23T18:38:06.910-06:00In Las Vegas I covered a ward that was 3 miles by ...In Las Vegas I covered a ward that was 3 miles by a quarter mile, partly for economic reasons. I think though the big factor was in the poorer section of the ward, the population moved in and out very fast. People would often get baptized, improve their economic lot with the encouragement of the gospel and move out. We actually covered two wards shaped like this, and earlier there had been 1 ward that did not go as far into more stable population areas. It had had an extremely high population turn over.John Pack Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05086707132348039415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-55482360209934257222014-08-23T18:35:11.067-06:002014-08-23T18:35:11.067-06:00I think the general policy of the Church is that p...I think the general policy of the Church is that people serving from the US almost always have their missions funded through the ward mission fund. I knew a person who had been raised in inner city Detroit whose mission was funded by various members of the singles ward in Michigan he left from. <br /><br />I have to admit I have no idea even how exactly my companions were funding their missions. In the Las Vegas mission this was not something we discussed.<br /><br />However, from a standpoint of the Church over all it is much cheaper to send missionaries from Zimbabwe to Zimbabwe and Congo to Congo than to send them to the United States. The cost of living is much higher in the United States, so it is more costly for the missionaries to live there. Despite this we currently have a missionary from the Democractic Republic of the Congo in my mission, and one native to Zambia in my ward. The one from Zambia joined the Church after he moved to Florida, so that is not too surprising (other than my ward has a low number of African-American residents compared to some in our mission, but many more than we had 20 years ago). <br /><br />I know my mission president viewed having missionaries from Mongolia (I think we had almost 10 at one point) as a chance to show them the Church operating fully. In fact, with DR Congo having a temple in planning, it might be logical to send missionaries to missions with temples in their boundaries, even though policies on missionaries going to the temple now make it much less common than when I was onmy mission. There was a point on my mission when we would go to the temple weekly.John Pack Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05086707132348039415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-81484438487374775402014-08-21T23:25:32.513-06:002014-08-21T23:25:32.513-06:00Is the Porto Novo branch the first branch in Benin...Is the Porto Novo branch the first branch in Benin outside of Cotonou? If so, that`s a major step since despite tremendously fast membership and congregational growth, both Benin and Togo appear to have had all their congregations operate in the largest city of each country. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06263568434057394615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-67886569567387283902014-08-21T16:55:22.655-06:002014-08-21T16:55:22.655-06:00The Draper Utah Suncrest Stake was created on 17 A...The Draper Utah Suncrest Stake was created on 17 August. There are 6 wards in the stake:<br /><br />Eagle Crest 1st Ward<br />Eagle Crest 2nd Ward<br />Eagle Crest 3rd Ward<br />Suncrest 1st Ward<br />Suncrest 2nd Ward<br />Suncrest 3rd Ward<br /><br /><br />The Boca del Monte 2nd Ward, Guatemala City Villa Hermosa Stake, was created on 17 August. There are now 7 wards in the stake:<br /><br />Boca del Monte 1st Ward<br />Boca del Monte 2nd Ward<br />Ciudad Real Ward<br />El Carmen Ward<br />La Hermosa Ward<br />Prados Ward<br />Villa Hermosa Ward<br /><br /><br />The José Tenório Ward, Maceió Brazil Stake, was created on 17 August. There are now 10 wards and 1 branch in the stake:<br /><br />Aeroclube Ward<br />Antares Ward<br />Clima Bom Ward<br />Colina Ward<br />Farol Ward<br />Feitosa Ward<br />Jardim Alagoas Ward<br />Jardim do Horto Ward<br />José Tenório Ward<br />Paraíso Ward<br />Boa Vista Branch<br /><br /><br />The Palmarejo 2nd Ward, Praia Cape Verde Stake, was created on 10 August. There are now 12 wards and 4 branches in the stake:<br /><br />Achada Grande Ward<br />Assomada 1st Ward<br />Assomada 2nd Ward<br />Eugénio Lima Ward<br />Palmarejo 1st Ward<br />Palmarejo 2nd Ward<br />Praia 1st Ward<br />Praia 2nd Ward<br />Praia 3rd Ward<br />Praia 4th Ward<br />Praia 5th Ward<br />Tarrafal Ward<br />Calheta Branch<br />Chão Bom Branch<br />Maio Branch<br />Ribeirão Manuel Branch<br /><br /><br />The Porto Novo Branch, Benin Cotonou Mission, was created on 17 August. There are now 2 independent branches in the mission:<br /><br />Benin Cotonou Mission Branch<br />Porto Novo Branch<br />Cotonou Benin District<br /><br /><br />The Teko Road Branch, Sierra Leone Freetown Mission, was created on 10 August. There are now 3 independent branches in the mission:<br /><br />Bo Sierra Leone East District<br />Bo Sierra Leone West District<br />Kenema Sierra Leone District<br />Kissy Sierra Leone District<br />Kossoh Town Sierra Leone District<br />Makama Branch<br />Sierra Leone Freetown Mission Branch<br />Teko Road BranchMike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-40556373093887170392014-08-21T16:21:23.722-06:002014-08-21T16:21:23.722-06:00When I served my mission(in the Colorado Denver So...When I served my mission(in the Colorado Denver South Mission 06-08)there were meany wards that were oddly shaped in order to make sure that there were both wealthy and poor members in the same ward. This is more of a local example but it is clear that money is something the brothern have to think about in order to fund buildings and the needs of its members. further more, the church has stated many times that the basic needs of people have to be met before we can start to do proselyting. Or in other words, if someone is; starving to death, displaced by civil war, infected with Ebola...etcetera, it is not going to do them any good to teach them the gospel. They first need those needs met and that requires money. So, even if it is not a direct thought of the general authorities, it has to be apart of the equation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11835573875830306115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-82553519396726760082014-08-21T14:32:07.520-06:002014-08-21T14:32:07.520-06:00My degree is in economics. I believe that outcome...My degree is in economics. I believe that outcomes come down to incentives and resource allocations. I believe that the objective of the Church is to help bring about the exaltation of men and women. To accomplish that goal, we need resources (money, missionaries and temples) to produce members who can be married in the temple, producing more members and more funds.<br /><br />I served in the Argentina Cordoba Mission (1976-78). I know that all my companions paid their own way (or their parents did). I suspect few of the US missionaries received help from the Church. Probably 10% of our missionaries were Argentine. I suspect many had help.<br /><br />I would love to hear your opinion on the topic of church growth and finances. <br /><br />Brooks M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17097849558228531431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-27307924788926231182014-08-21T14:27:40.189-06:002014-08-21T14:27:40.189-06:00@Ed Clinch... Living in the Apex NC Stake, I know ...@Ed Clinch... Living in the Apex NC Stake, I know last year we had only 38 baptisms for the whole stake. This year for the first 6 months we had 38 baptisms. We are on track to have around 80 baptisms in the stake for the year, which is doubled from previous year. Much of our growth has come because of the economic conditions. Raleigh is constantly top three in nation on many of the best places lists. However, what comes with that is real strength. Second in growth and strength indicators looked at by the General Authorities. Also we have the most missionaries sent out east of the missionaries per number of members in the stake. I think our stake has around 45 full time missionaries serving right now.The Opinionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14167843312304986462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-92057392095080759942014-08-21T14:16:56.347-06:002014-08-21T14:16:56.347-06:00Wow, what a topic. Missionary assignments related ...Wow, what a topic. Missionary assignments related to church finances. I can't say I know a lot, but I have a few perspectives.<br /><br />For instance, when I did my mission in Chile Concepcion in the 1990s, most of us US elders and sisters (maybe 60 percent overall) funded our way. Most of the South Americans (perhaps 35%) were financed by the Church.<br /><br />More later...Eduardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05019747288076783700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-15933960101234425312014-08-21T12:50:39.633-06:002014-08-21T12:50:39.633-06:00Ed, I would like to know if there is a connection ...Ed, I would like to know if there is a connection between missionary assignments and Church finances. My guess is that growth in Africa and other areas with fast growth is constrained by the Church's ability to subsidize operations there with funds supplies by members is wealthier areas.<br /><br />I find your discussion about growth in the Church in South DC and North Caroline interesting for a personal reason. My grandmother, siblings and parents joined the Church in the Blue Ridge Mountains just miles from the North Carlina border. Brooks M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17097849558228531431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-9406967474070297602014-08-21T11:19:43.690-06:002014-08-21T11:19:43.690-06:00Carrying on with the discussion of the strength of...Carrying on with the discussion of the strength of some of the North Carolina wards/stakes, is the overall missionary effort doing well there? In the DC South mission, there seems to be more baptisms than ever, the 2014 goals around 700 or so. Of course, there is a lot of population growth in these stakes in general, which leads to higher baptismal rates. I guess those parts of Apex, Morrisville, and surrounding parts are seeing increased economic and population growth?<br /><br />Is there a place to check how each mission baptizes from year to year?Eduardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05019747288076783700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-18620471904492703422014-08-19T18:21:48.425-06:002014-08-19T18:21:48.425-06:00The Boynton Beach Florida Stake was created on 17 ...The Boynton Beach Florida Stake was created on 17 August. There are 5 wards in the stake:<br /><br />Boca Raton Ward<br />Boynton Beach Ward<br />Delray Beach Ward<br />Palm Beach Ward<br />West Palm Beach Ward (Spanish)<br /><br /><br />The Cojolyá Branch, Solola Guatemala District, Guatemala Guatemala City Central Mission, was created on 10 August. There are now 7 branches in the district:<br /><br />Cojolyá Branch<br />Panajachel Branch<br />San Andrés Semetabaj Branch<br />San Lucas Toliman Branch<br />Santiago Atitlán Branch<br />Solola 1st Branch<br />Solola 2nd Branch<br /><br /><br />The Anum Apapam Branch, Asamankese Ghana District, Ghana Accra West Mission, was created on 10 August. There are now 7 branches in the district:<br /><br />Anum Apapam Branch<br />Asamankese 1st Branch<br />Asamankese 2nd Branch<br />Asamankese Ghana District Branch<br />Kade Branch<br />Oda 1st Branch<br />Oda 2nd Branch<br /><br /><br />The Calaba Town Branch, Kissy Sierra Leone District, Sierra Leone Freetown Mission, was created on 20 July. There are now 7 branches in the district:<br /><br />Calaba Town Branch<br />Kissy 1st Branch<br />Kissy 2nd Branch<br />Kontoloh Branch<br />Thunderhill Branch<br />Wellington 1st Branch<br />Wellington 2nd Branch<br /><br /><br />The Effiduasi Branch, Ghana Kumasi Mission, was created on 20 July. There are now 12 independent branches in the mission:<br /><br />Nkawkaw Ghana District<br />Obuasi Ghana District<br />Sunyani Ghana District<br />Agona Branch<br />Asamang Branch<br />Bibiani Branch<br />Dwumoh Branch<br />Education Ridge Branch<br />Effiduasi Branch<br />Ghana Kumasi Mission Branch<br />Kenten Branch<br />Krobo Branch<br />Mampong Branch<br />Vatican Branch<br />Vitin Branch<br /><br /><br />The N'Djili 2nd Ward, Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Masina Stake, was created on 17 August. There are now 8 wards in the stake:<br /><br />Abattoir Ward<br />Debonhomme Ward<br />Liberté Ward<br />Masina 1st Ward<br />N'Djili 1st Ward<br />N'Djili 2nd Ward<br />Sans-Fil Ward<br />Telecom Ward<br /><br /><br />The Ubay Branch, Calape Philippines District, Philippines Cebu East Mission, was created on 17 August. There are now 6 branches in the district:<br /><br />Calape Branch<br />Inabanga Branch<br />Loon Branch<br />Talibon Branch<br />Tubigon Branch<br />Ubay BranchMike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-23275406410001876422014-08-19T18:19:30.990-06:002014-08-19T18:19:30.990-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Mike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-8295473232828485342014-08-19T10:20:42.981-06:002014-08-19T10:20:42.981-06:00I was wondering how long into August we'd have...I was wondering how long into August we'd have to wait for a new stake. The Boyton Beach Florida Stake was created from a division of a few stakes.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15716429933814861796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-83942378394066101332014-08-18T21:44:37.368-06:002014-08-18T21:44:37.368-06:00Since about 3/4 of the students have one or more y...Since about 3/4 of the students have one or more year of seminary under their belts already, I'm sure arrangements are being made so they still graduate under the new program even though they didn't have to take the two tests the one to three years they may not have.<br /><br /> James Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12831340842937216806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-27308244968234510532014-08-18T20:37:55.227-06:002014-08-18T20:37:55.227-06:00Grant, good point. Yes, we do spend years training...Grant, good point. Yes, we do spend years training them. And elder in our ward just left last week. He arrived at the Argentina MTC and quickly was assessed that he knew Spanish and Teach My Gospel well enough that he is being sent four weeks earlier than scheduled to his mission in Paraguay.<br /><br />John, thanks for pointing out the article. My daughter graduated from Seminary this past year and is breathing a sigh of relief she didn't need to meet the new standards. I, for one, am happy with the new Seminary graduation standards.<br /><br />Adam, thanks for the information on the growth of the group. Hopefully, they will be able to form a branch soon.<br /><br />Mike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-80745986001419410592014-08-18T20:15:21.587-06:002014-08-18T20:15:21.587-06:00The Ipswich Branch (Samoan), Ipswich Australia Sta...The Ipswich Branch (Samoan), Ipswich Australia Stake, was created on 3 August. There are now 8 wards and 2 branches in the stake:<br /><br />Brassall Ward<br />Darling Heights Ward<br />Karana Downs Ward<br />Raceview Ward<br />Somerset Ward<br />Toowoomba Ward<br />Warwick Ward<br />Yamanto Ward<br />Dalby Branch<br />Ipswich Branch (Samoan)<br /><br /><br />The Michel Camp Branch, Tema Ghana Stake, was created on 17 August. There are now 10 wards and 5 branches in the stake:<br /><br />Adjei Kojo Ward<br />Ashaiman Ward<br />Batsona Ward<br />Bethlehem Ward<br />Lebanon Ward<br />Nungua 2nd Ward<br />Sun City Ward<br />Tema 2nd Ward<br />Tema 1st Ward<br />Tema 3rd Ward<br />Klagon Branch<br />Kpone Branch<br />Michel Camp Branch<br />New Town Branch<br />Zenu Branch<br /><br /><br />The Nankoko Ward, Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Toit Rouge Stake, was created on 17 August. There are now 10 wards in the stake:<br /><br />Abobodoume Ward<br />Andokoi Ward<br />Foncier Ward<br />Koute Ward<br />Nankoko Ward<br />Nouveau Quartier 1st Ward<br />Nouveau Quartier 2nd Ward<br />Toit Rouge 1st Ward<br />Toit Rouge 2nd Ward<br />Toit Rouge 3rd Ward<br /><br /><br />The Owasso Ward, Tulsa Oklahoma East Stake, was created on 17 August. There are now 11 wards and 2 branches in the stake:<br /><br />Brookhollow Ward<br />Cedar Ridge Ward<br />Claremore Ward<br />Elm Creek Ward<br />Fair Oaks Ward<br />Henryetta Ward<br />Indian Springs Ward<br />Mingo Valley Ward<br />Owasso Ward<br />Pryor Ward<br />Ranch Creek Ward<br />Redbud Valley Branch (Spanish)<br />Tulsa YSA Branch<br /><br /><br />The Siuniu Branch, Upolu Samoa Saleilua Stake, was created on 20 July. There are now 7 wards and 1 branch in the stake:<br /><br />Nuuelua Ward<br />Saaga Ward<br />Saleilua Ward<br />Sapunaoa Ward<br />Siumu Ward<br />Tafatafa Ward<br />Vaovai Ward<br />Siuniu BranchMike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-20047589087261462082014-08-18T17:51:23.108-06:002014-08-18T17:51:23.108-06:00Got word from an Elder that the Culasi group, whic...Got word from an Elder that the Culasi group, which was created a little over 4 months ago, had an attendance of 61 this past Sunday. They just moved sacrament from their apartment to a rented meetinghouse and it is already getting too crowded for the meetinghouse.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15716429933814861796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-81832260753446327572014-08-18T15:39:15.711-06:002014-08-18T15:39:15.711-06:00This article http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86...This article http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865608817/Elevate-learning-taking-seminary-to-a-higher-level.html talks about new seminary graduation requirements, which also seems to be part of making seminary a better preparation for missionaries.John Pack Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05086707132348039415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-43867173004249248142014-08-18T08:48:52.283-06:002014-08-18T08:48:52.283-06:00Interestingly enough, as Come Follow Me has change...Interestingly enough, as Come Follow Me has changed the way we train youth, there has been an increased emphasis on learning to teach and preparing for missions. Of course, they still don't know where they're going and they're so young that they're still learning basic doctrine. Still, we're kind of moving into training our missionaries for four years or more to serve their missions. Yes, I know it's different; it's just an interesting parallel.Grant Emeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08719597556626187043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-37954747605076954842014-08-17T16:27:49.975-06:002014-08-17T16:27:49.975-06:00My suggestion that CES may serve a similar role in...My suggestion that CES may serve a similar role in our Church to paid clergies in others in terms of growing churches in new areas was not meant to claim equality of function. It is a different approach entirely. Clearly, the ecclesiastical callings one has are not dependent on the temporal employment.<br /><br />In other words, we have people hired for a career to teach the gospel in classroom settings. Some of these people, may--just like anybody in different vocations--be called into ecclesiastical leadership. Many other churches use career ministers or priests to serve in the ecclesiastical functions, who may also serve in education or other roles in a secondary capacity when it comes to their career.<br /><br />My point was that by hiring individuals in a temporal profession that helps them grow in faith, learning, and scholarship related to the Church, we generate a solid foundation to build the Church. Some of these people may receive ecclesiastical callings--we see that all the time. But, being a CES employee does not, of course, imply any responsibility in a branch, ward, district, or stake.<br /><br />The BYU professors who went into Mongolia that led to great success there--we are the largest Christian church in the country--are similar to this CES model. Stable, career, educated, doctrinally sound, who could be asked to move to a new country and use them to build a foundation for the Church there.<br /><br />We are organized fundamentally differently from other churches and the full time career clergy can be an advantage in establishing a church in a new area. We don't spend 4 to 8 years educating people we intend to employ in ecclesiastical roles that we can decide to send into a new area. We have to rely on members moving into an area to attempt to "plant" a local congregation. <br /><br />I agree very much about the spread into areas because of members employed in the military. Members follow jobs or other opportunities and the Church then follows the members into new areas. CES not only offers some opportunity to move into new areas, but also as the Church grows in an area, hiring into CES can strengthen the members and the Church over time.Mike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-54044652457870665732014-08-16T20:31:16.120-06:002014-08-16T20:31:16.120-06:00The CES is not a paid clergy, and they take all so...The CES is not a paid clergy, and they take all sorts of efforts to make that clear. Accusations of such really bothered Elder Maxwell when he was CES Comissioner back in the 1970s.<br /><br />Many countries in the mid-20th century the Church entered on the heels of US military personel. Spain, Italy, Paraguay and the Phillipines are the examples that come to mind the fastest. On the other hand that is also the story in Turkey, but it never moved from military personnel to a local church developing.<br /><br />I guess South Korea and Japan largely were out-growths of US military personnel being there.John Pack Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05086707132348039415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-73797096381248524782014-08-16T19:33:43.568-06:002014-08-16T19:33:43.568-06:00When I have heard Matt and others advocate that th...When I have heard Matt and others advocate that the Church take a more proactive role in opening new countries, I wonder the extent the Church even has such opportunities. There are fascinating country studies on Cumorah.com about the growth in many countries compared to other missionary minded churches.<br /><br />I have wondered how the Church could actually have done that given our missionary model.<br /><br />When I look at new stake presidencies, particularly in new and rapidly growing countries, I see CES employees and others with temporal employment by the Church. I find myself wondering whether CES employees aren't the LDS counterpart of a paid clergy.Mike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-81144539582887428542014-08-16T19:29:24.877-06:002014-08-16T19:29:24.877-06:00When I have heard Matt and others advocate that th...When I have heard Matt and others advocate that the Church take a more proactive role in opening new countries, I wonder the extent the Church even has such opportunities. There are fascinating country studies on Cumorah.com about the growth in many countries compared to other missionary minded churches.Mike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2786908254617003646.post-6441411647477210562014-08-16T19:24:14.452-06:002014-08-16T19:24:14.452-06:00Yes, the Church moved into India because of Englis...Yes, the Church moved into India because of English speakers, but I think something else was more important. The Church sometimes can obtain permission to send missionaries into a country directly, but it usually requires existing members (or at least investigators) living in the country. There are exceptions, but largely the Church follows members into new areas. Members move in following jobs. Except, of course, those countries that are more open to foreign missionaries, but they have been open for a very long time.<br /><br />We operate somewhat differently from other churches in regard to opening countries. Those churches with full time career missionaries, they can decide at almost any time to prepare a single missionary or a small group to enter a country. They may spend years learning the language and culture and gaining contacts before actually beginning the work in the new country. With 1.5 to 2 years for missions, it is much harder to decide to retrain existing missionaries. Instead, we often spend years trying to obtain authorization to proselyte and only then do we call missionaries and train them over a few weeks to enter the new country. <br /><br />The Church entered Mongolia by BYU responding to a request from Mongolia for a few college professors. A wealthy member had hunted in Mongolia and gained some contacts. Later as a Seventy he served in the Asia Area Presidency and used his contacts in Mongolia to draw out the request for professors. That opened the door and membership grew rapidly--the first convert was associated with these professors (secretary or librarian, I can't remember which) and her son about 12 years later became the first stake president. Without a member having contacts, I doubt the Church would have been able to enter Mongolia.Mike Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10025612146815804945noreply@blogger.com