The Book of Mormon translated into Slovak
Missionaries report that the Slovak translation of the Book of Mormon has been completed. It is unclear when the translation will be available for distribution, but this marks the first LDS scripture ever translated into the Slovak language and a major development in missionary outreach in this lesser reached European nation. At the end of 2009, there were fewer than 200 members meeting in four branches at least one group. Legal status for the Church was recently obtained. For additional information about the Church in Slovakia and its prospects there, please refer to the Slovakia country profile on cumorah.com.
Full-time missionaries assigned to Tuvalu
For the first time in several years, full-time missionaries have been assigned to work on the small Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. With less than 13,000 inhabitants, Tuvalu has one LDS branch and 134 Latter-day Saints. Initial missionary reports indicate that there are around 65 attending meetings, many of which are not baptized members. The sole companionship assigned to the islands is learning the Tuvaluan language. Compared to other Pacific islands, few have joined the Church. There were 57 Tuvaluans who self-identified as Latter-day Saints on the New Zealand census in 2006. There are no LDS scriptures and only a handful of church materials in Tuavluan.
Second branch created on Christmas Island (Kirimati)
A second branch has been created on remote Christmas Island in eastern Kiribati. The Banana Branch has functioned as a group for at least a couple years under the Christmas Island Branch. A third branch operates just north of the island on Fanning Island. There are around 5,000 inhabitants on Christmas Island. For more information about the Church in Kiribati, please refer to the cumorah.com country profile.
This will be a tremendous asset to the missionary work in Slovakia. While the Slovak and Czech languages are similar, many people struggled with reading the Czech language.
ReplyDeleteExcellent news,
ReplyDeleteI am sure Slovakia had the largest membership growth rate by % in europe. A new book of mormon translation can boost convert and retention rates. It is a massive boost to the church's effiency in this country.
However I am sure opposition to the church is also very hostile here. I am sure it was the catholic bishops of the country that passed a petition on to their own members to prevent the church from being an officially recongized religion in the country.