Click
here to access our updated Reaching the Nations country profile for Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is the most populous Central Asian nation but also experiences some of the most significant religious freedom restrictions. Although a small member group meets in Tashkent to service foreign members who temporarily live in the country, there is no LDS presence among the native population. Uzbekistan was assigned to a mission for the first time in 2015 when the Central Eurasian Mission was organized with headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey. Currently, the mission is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Another great report, Matt. Thank you. Although so many of the countries in the Middle East/Africa North area are in their infancy in terms of their history with and acceptance of the Church, I hope to see great things unfold as the Lord opens doors to expand the Church in that region.' Many things will have to change to make that possible, but the Lord has done similar miracles elsewhere, so it could happen in this region of the world as well. Thanks again for the great report.
ReplyDeleteTraditionally Muslim nations struggle to have Christian and Latter-day Saint growth. Turkey showed some recent promise but even more lately there are some scary accusations by a less than open democracy there.
ReplyDeleteSierra Leone and Albania are good examples of the Church of Jesus Christ growing where Islam is predominant. Indonesia and Malaysia are doing okay; countries like the "Stans" have little Christian tradition or background, and freedom also hampers missionary work, plus lack of language experience and cultural inroads.
Countries like Mongolia and Cambodia have done all right as non-Christian places, but they certainly are more open and peaceful, lacking terrorist groups as almost each "Stan" seems to exhibit.
Even Dagestan and autonomous republics in Russia that are highly Muslim pose many of the same problems for missionary outreach.
Just to make sure everyone sees this, Sister Barbara B. Ballard, wife of President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, passed away earlier today. Meanwhile, the Newsroom on the Church's website also noted that the dedication for the temple in Kinshasa will be held on April 14, 2019. You can find more details of these developments on the Church News website and on lds.org. Thanks again to you all.
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