Monday, December 28, 2020

First Karen Language Latter-day Saint Materials Translated

The Church recently translated the sacramental prayers and the 13 Articles of Faith into the Karen language. Karen is the primary language spoken in east central Myanmar near the border with Thailand. The Church organized its first Karen-speaking branch in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2009. There are several million Karen speakers worldwide. Click here to access the 13 Articles of Faith in Karen.

4 comments:

Mario Miguel said...

That's cool. My roommate is Karen and converted after moving to Salt Lake from Thailand.

John Pack Lambert said...

If I remember correctly the Karen are one of the peoples of Asia who have largely been Christianized. Another people who have mainly converted to Christianity are the Naga, who live in western Myanmar and in ther own state in India.

The most Bsptist sub-national entity in the world is Mizoram which is 85% Bsptist. Despite the percentages of Christians in the far north east of India there are far more Christians in southern India.

I hope soon the Book of Mormon can be translated into Karen. I know there was for decades intermittent war between the Karen and the Myanmar government.

Eduardo said...

You meant Baptist, right? Southern Baptist? There are at least 3 major Baptist denominations in the U.S., no?

Speaking of Naga, there is a Nagaland in eastern India. Sounds like they should be related.

Myanmar is one of the last holdouts in Asia, politically and linguistically. Great to see the Church progress here, thanks.

John Pack Lambert said...

I think I understand why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not made any inroads into the states of northeast India.

A big part is low population. Nagaland has 2 million people, Uttar Pradesh has 200 million.

On the other hand Tonga has 104,000 people.

Nagaland is 88% Christian and 90% Naga. Most non-Christians are non-Naga from elsewhere in India.

The Christianization of Nagaland began in 1836. While 50% of the population is Baptist 44% are mainly either Catholics or Pentecostals. The area has a long tradition of religious change.

This is the same sort of open religious market with a strong belief in the power of the Holy Ghost that allowed The Church of Jesys Christ to thrive in Akwa Ibom state, the south-south of Nigeria and northward into Abia state and around Enugu.

The Naga are not oil ne people. The official language us Nagaland English. This is the language of education. This will make establishing the Church easy. Manganese is also used, it is a language similar to Assamese that is used in business and public communication.

The Naga consist of 16 tribes. They speak at least 12 mutually unintelligible languages. The most spoken one is spoken by less than 13% of the population.

I know on the surface it seems easier to build the Church in Indias urban centers and new outreaches with few missionaries seem hard to pursue.

However I think we could get more concerts for our efforts in Nagaland if we put forth the effort than we are in New Delhi and Mumbai.