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LDS reassign Russia-bound missionaries

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Grateful to Serve | 11:58 p.m. July 15, 2008

My brother was directly affected by this change. He was called three months ago to serve in the Novosibirsk Russia Mission. The night before he went into the MTC (two weeks ago) we all went to the Stake President's office to see his setting apart. The Stake President took my parents and brother aside and let them know that his assignment had changed and that he would be serving in Germany instead, still leaving the very next day.

After all the shopping and preparation I thought my brother would really freak out. But he walked out of that office and announced to us the change. The next day I witnessed my brother enter the the MTC with enthusiasm.

My brother was able to do this because he recognized that his call never changed. His original letter called him to serve as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (notice there is a period) That calling is truly inspired. It does not matter where he is assigned, he is just grateful to serve.

I am grateful for the wonderful missionaries all over the world who are ready and willing to go where He(the Lord) needs them.

Brent | 12:51 a.m. July 16, 2008

As long as the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is being preached in Russia by those who love Christ then really the church's position of not sending new missionaries from the LDS church to Russia is a non-issue.

Christ is being preached so be happy about that regardless of which church or organization is preaching Christ in Russia.

Lets hope that the man Jesus Christ so changes our hearts that we stop debating whether something is inspired or not or whether God is big enough or not to know what he is doing.

God is omnipotent.All powerful. Omniscient. All knowing.

We are mortal men/women and not God and he knows who and what is needed to spread his gospel to all nations. At least give him credit for using all faiths that preach Christ Jesus and him crucified,buried and raised from the dead to spread the (gospel)good news to all the world.

Sometimes the legalism that pervades people and certain mindsets leaves the man Jesus Christ right out of the equation.

Would that we put down our pride and pick up humility.

Russian Alternatives | 6:05 a.m. July 16, 2008

I am a previous missionary who served in Russia. I currently live in Romania and am a Peace Corps volunteer. According to local missionaries, I believe that six missionaries were recently re-assigned here instead of Russia. The Romanian mission also includes Moldova, in which nearly everybody speaks both Romanian and Russian. However, there are certain issues at stake. For instance, American missionaries are only allowed to stay in Moldova for 3 month periods before being required to leave for at least three months. Here in Romania nobody speaks Russian, so keeping up the language will be a challenge. However, this does offer the possibility of possibly re-opening certain areas of Moldova to missionary work that had previously been closed due to the absence of missionaries with Russian language. There is only one Russian speaking Elder in this mission (from Russia) who is going home soon. Now, all Russian members wanting to go on missions will be needed to serve internally in Russia. So, though challenges arise, this certainly does open opportunity elsewhere.

Comments continue below

To inspired | 8:01 a.m. July 16, 2008

who said they had to learn a new language? there are plenty of countries and states for that matter which also have Russian speaking missions. I.e Ukraine, The Baltic States, Washington, California, Belarus, etc. Just because they are going to Russia does not mean it was a waste of time to learn Russian. God does see the future, past and present but as soon as He tells us the future, we have lost our free agency.

rose marie | 8:28 a.m. July 16, 2008

We are currently serving in Russia and we know and love the members of our church. They are great stong people that believe in our Savior. We are in the Samara Russia mission--we do not have an ELder Dean here, our missionaries from our mission our only out of our mission for 24 hrs and they do no contacting in Prague--they sight see and enjoy the beauiful city for a few hours before they get back on the plane. The Lord's work will go on--regardless of the nationality of the missionaries. Russia needs the gospel--it bring happiness and joy to these people and people every where.

Right on Brent | 10:15 a.m. July 16, 2008

For inspired to know whay God does what he does, he would need to be Omnipotent, All powerful, Omniscient, All knowing.

Of course, maybe inspired is, and then he doesn't need us anyway.

Russian RM | 10:47 a.m. July 16, 2008

I'm a Senior Missionary that just return from Russia with my spouse. The Church is alive and well, especially through the young adult members of the Church. The Church will continue to grow because the members have everything they need to go forward. The Priesthood, strong Testimonies, a great love for their Savior, and a desire to serve. There was no mistake in sending our Missionaries to Russia. God provided the opportunity, and God will tend His flock now. It is His Plan. We just do what we can to help it go forward. Our members in Russia are amazing!

Inspired | 10:56 a.m. July 16, 2008

Trust me everyone, I do not want to be all knowing. I was only pointing out a few discrepancies.

While some responded with anger, many others responded by sharing their testimonies.

I'd say that's a good thing!

Out.

Deeanna | 12:16 p.m. July 16, 2008

I lived in Russia for almost 3 years as a volunteer English teacher, and later as an LDS missionary, 94-98. I feel that I was able to contribute much to the people that I served; volunteering in hospitals, schools, and orphanages, as well as teaching them about my religious beliefs. Whether or not I was convincing people to "join" my church, I felt that I was an ambassador representing my country, faith, and family. What a wonderful opportunity it was to live in Russia and learn their language. I am currently a high school Russian language teacher.

I worry that these visa restrictions are a step backwards. It is unfortunate that "North American" missionaries will not be able to live there. That type of experience is good for a myriad of reasons that benefit both Russians and Americans. It is good national security to have citizens who know foreign languages. There have been thousands of US citizens who have served there as missionaries, or other humanitarian workers such as with the Peace Corps, or International Language Program. The exchange of languages and friendships has been wonderful and I hate to see that opportunity lost both for Russians, and Americans!

Kiev Ukraine RM | 1:03 p.m. July 16, 2008

Hey, we will take those missionaries in Ukraine. We got around that rule in '96 when we reached the level of a Society (Obshestva) With that disctinction we can invite our own missionaries. Hopefully the Lord will send more of the Elders and Sisters to Ukraine. The Kiev Temple is progressing quickly. :)

Joe | 3:27 p.m. July 16, 2008

I served as a missionary in Finland from 1972 to 1974, and observed guard towers from the train that were designed to keep the Finns out of the Soviet Union. I knew that missionaries would never go into the Soviet Union during my lifetime.

Today, the church has 20,000 members in Russia; something that I thought impossible to happen. Now, I'm no expert, but that would pass as a miracle in some circles.

A thought concerning God inspiring men. I wouldn't take it upon myself to second guess what the Lord chooses to get involved in versus what he allows to take its course. God gives his commandments to men; we have the option of obeying or not obeying, receiving our reward based upon our actions. Perhaps the advise that Joseph Smith Sr., the first patriarch of the church gave to people might be instructive.

Paraphrasing, he told them if they didn't like the blessing that he gave them, then they were free to write out their own blessing; and if they would covenant to live worthy of the blessings, then he would agree to sign it, and it would be their blessing.

I was reassigned | 5:00 p.m. July 16, 2008

Missionaries are reassigned all the time. I was sent home after three months. I enjoyed my new assignment much more!

KS | 6:08 p.m. July 16, 2008

I support our missionaries. And I think things will work out with the VISA's. I love hearing stories about them. Makes me look forward to my mission where I'll serve them like Jesus wants me too- with spiritual food and love.
And I support our troops and President. And I believe the best military is one of members who choose to serve and are not forced. So way to go to the US Servicemen and Women!

Paul | 6:48 p.m. July 16, 2008

This is a huge blow and comes at a time when membership through Europe is in a steep decline. I hope we can prevail without the fine young men from Zion not tending to the flock.

Hate to break it to you | 8:27 p.m. July 16, 2008

I was a missionary in Russia. One thing that missionaries from more established areas bring with them is tribal knowledge (what is kosher in a sacrament meeting, good ways of handling bizarre situations). There is not enough of that knowledge to spread around the country without foreign injection yet. There are local strong points, where full families have been in the church long enough to become the de facto leaders. In other areas, however, the missionaries knowledge is imperative.

Do I think the church will survive this? Yes. Do I think it will accentuate growth in any way? Not a prayer.

This makes me think of churchill. His wife said, after pretty much everything went wrong, "Maybe these are just blessings in disguise". He replied, "At the moment they appear to be very effectively disguised."

The only good part is that missionaries will have some time before the rotation out occurs to try to get the branches running on their own. We will see how things pan out in 5 years. Check the # of wards and branches. If it went up, things went well. If it stagnated/dropped, it went badly.

Have a nice day.

John Lambert | 9:09 p.m. July 16, 2008

To Paul,
How old are you? How many of the Missionaries in Russia were from Missouri?
It is time for us to move beyond old tired steroetypes. The dichotomy of those from "Zion" and those not does not make sense. Plus, so much of the church in so many places is under local administration that your statement makes absolutely no sense.

How Very Unfortunate | 2:08 a.m. July 17, 2008

How very unfortunate it is that these comments are monitored and only selectively published. Comments I made from the perspective of an individual actually living in Russia, objectively observing the situation in the context of the current events of the country as a whole, were not published. I used no offensive or derogatory terms. I was simply offering what is a common perception of the local population towards the idea. If the intent of the comment section is to actually encourage dialogue, then varying viewpoints on the topic should be allowed equal presentation. I do hope the publishers understand the contextual irony of imposing such selectivity in dialog related to what is implied in this particular article.

John Lambert | 4:00 p.m. July 17, 2008

To the 8:27 poster,
When was it that you were on your mission in Russia? Which mission were you in in Russia? These two questions have a lot of relevance to the situation.
I also have a few more comments. At first I was wondering why they brought the Russia bound missionaries to the MTC in the US instead of the one in the UK. I am not sure I know the answer to these questions, but I think you underestimate what people whose focus is not on learning a language can learn in the MTC. I think I did see somewhere it was mentioned that these missionaries were staying in the MTC two months. Since there Russians going to Russia this surprises me now that I think about it. As an America going to the US I was only in the MTC three weeks.
I do not know, but it seems likely they are trying to give these missionaries lots of training.
Another factor, is that the Area Presidency is not leaving and other general authorities and church leaders should also still be able to visit Russia.

John Lambert | 4:05 p.m. July 17, 2008

My last comments I say because of the rhetoric about when the church in Europe suffered a lot during World War II, it is often blamed on the "missionaries being gone".
However I think it was more complexed than that. It was in part because there were no supervising General Authorities around. With these stricter rules, general authorities will still be able to come.
Another factor is the church has tried to convince members to stay in Russia, so there are at least some who have been members for 15 years or more.
Third, Anatoly K. Reshetnikov from Saratov, Russia was called as an Area Authority Seventy in April. Even if the area presidency had to leave, he can still communicate with them and relay messages back.
Lastly, one of the reasons branches were so decimated in Germany during World War II was that most male church members were sent off to war. This is not likely to be a problem in the short run in Russia.

Father of Missionary in Moscow | 9:33 a.m. July 18, 2008

FYI, The Church has been very much aware of the situation in regards to the visa problem for quite some time. The legal department has been working very hard for a long time to solve the problem if possible while providing a natural solution the has also been in the works for awhile. That solution is to prepare a new generation of native Russian speaking missionaries which is the ultamate goal for any country in the world. Our missionary has been a witness of the strength these new missionaries will be to their own nation, not only as missionaries, but as Russian citizens. Our son is fortunate to be able to finish his mission among these great people and he has no doubt about the solution.

JW | 7:43 a.m. July 21, 2008

Have you ever had something happen that you were mad or disappointed about and it turned out to be a blessing. One thing I've learned is that everything happens for a reason. We may not be able to see it at the time or understand why we are going through hard times, but there is a reason for it. I bet if you look back at your own lives you will see that.
Thanks to those of you who can see the bigger picture here.

Russian | 10:39 a.m. July 22, 2008

Too many of you folks talk about Russia and give your opinions, which is fine. The problem is, Russia is so different than the US, different psychology, culture, you people do not understand how it is to live there. RMs who have lived in Russia only see and experience so much. It's not that the church is not respected there, its a cultural difference in thinking, that people ignorantly dont know about it, what it is. etc. No one on this blog should be going off until you have lived in Russia substantially to understand it. Most missionaries do not, but some do. By the way, Russia is not "returning to communism" like all you americans always say, you DO NOT understand the country. Please come to Russia before trying to give everyone your "uneducated opinions"

Bayou Vol | 5:46 p.m. Aug. 13, 2008

This decision does seem fairly prophetic now...funny how that works out.

benson | 8:00 a.m. Aug. 28, 2009

russia needs to know that christ should be preached in the whole world. plse am a missionary and i want to go to russia but i need contacts plse help me any one out there. danielgithinji@yahoo.com

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