LDS Church in China

This week, the LDS Church announced that it is on the verge of concluding an agreement with the government of the People's Republic of China which will "regularize" the Church's activities in China. More information about this agreement was given in an LDS Newsroom article found here. Of interest to me is the fact that these talks were actually initiated by the Chinese government, who sent a high-ranking official to Salt Lake City to address the issue, after earlier meetings in China. A church spokesman pointed out that this does not mean the Church will be sending missionaries to China, only that church activities in China among those who are already members of the church will be more carefully defined. The representative, Michael Otterson, had this to say:

"The Church deeply appreciates the courtesy of the Chinese leadership in opening up a way to better define how the Church and its members can proceed with daily activities, all in harmony with Chinese law.”

Otterson also points out that this agreement reflects the trust that has built up between the LDS Church and Chinese government over the last 30 years, as the Church has demonstrated its willingness to comply with restrictions placed upon it in China. This change will bring great benefits to Chinese members of the church, and to expatriates living in China.

This issue is of significant personal interest to me, because my son recently returned from an LDS mission to England, where most of his proselyting efforts were directed towards Chinese people. He was taught Mandarin, and was able to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to many Mandarin-speaking people, most of whom were students attending university in England. Some of these students have already returned to China, and others will do so in coming years. This week's announcement means it will be easier for them to practice their religion and receive support from church leaders once they return to their homeland. This will bring inestimable blessings into their lives, and great joy to us, and particularly to my son, who has worried about how these new converts would be able to maintain their commitment to the gospel in a place that is so hostile toward religion.

England is not the only unlikely place to which the LDS Church has sent Mandarin-speaking missionaries. I have known of such missionaries being sent to several states and other countries. Those efforts will surely accelerate in light of this week's announcement. While the church may not be able to proselyte in China, they can still proselyte to Chinese people elsewhere in the world. Now, those people will be able to return to China and enjoy the fellowship of other church members there.

I appreciate the LDS Church's liberal approach on this issue, which recognizes the value of taking the blessings of the gospel to all people, wherever or under whatever circumstances they live. It reminds me of the immigration issue I have discussed earlier. In both situations, the Church's compassionate approach has made it clear that politics will not stop it from fulfilling its mission to share the good news throughout the world. Even godless communists, like illegal aliens, need to experience the love of Christ and the blessings of his atonement. This brings great comfort and happiness to me.