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How International is the Church in Japan?

Robert Mullen writes in The Mormons that “temples are, in a way, measurements of the acceleration”[1] of the rapid expansion of the LDS Church. The Church will have a temple in Tokyo in 1980. Does…

Russian Writers Look at Mormon Manners, 1857-72

The early years of the reign of Alexander II were among the most stirring in Russian history. After the repressive tenure of his father, Alexander brought hopes for innovation and projects for reform which the…

The Church Moves Outside the United States

Mormons of the present generation, with their legacy of tenacity and perseverance as both a guide and a challenge, are attempting to offer “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” an opportunity to hear the gospel…

The Expansion of Mormonism in the South Pacific

Since the first encounter between Latter-day Saint missionaries and the peoples of Polynesia 136 years ago, there have been inevitable changes in both the methods of missionary work and the adaptation of the island members…

Mormonism and Maoism: The Church and People’s China

In a recent address to a Regional Representatives Seminar, President Kimball stated— 

We asked last conference for all members to pray with increased sincerity for peace in all nations and especially China, and that we might make entry with our missionaries. Since then many people have been to China and much interest has been shown. Let us ask our Heavenly Father to grant our petition and permit this great neighbor, China, to join the great family of nations now bowing to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Escape from Viet Nam: An Interview with Nguyen Van The

Nguyen Van The, a native of Vietnam, was converted to Mormonism in 1966: “I had no previous religion, although as the son in a Buddhist family, I was expected to worship my ancestors.” In 1968…

Expanding LDS Church Abroad: Old Realities Compounded

In recent decades, the LDS Church has moved out of the security of the “ever lasting mountains” to fulfill its prophetic dream of becoming a worldwide organization. Each year 225 thousand or more Saints are added to the fold. Over seventy percent are converts, recruited by a veritable army of full- and part-time missionaries. As of 1979, the Church numbered over 4.2 million. At a 6.4 percent annual growth rate, it will double every eleven years or so.

Unsettling Organist | James B. Welch, Concert and Recital

In all of Mormondom, only a handful of organs really deserve the name. The overwhelming and depressing majority of our instruments are electronic imitations (appliances, a friend of mine calls them) or cheap pipe organs…

The Book of Mormon as Faction | Blaine C. Thomsen, The Ammonite

Following the phenomenal success of his book-turned-TV mini-series, Alex Haley described his work Roots as “faction,” a careful combination of history and fiction. Using what names, dates and places he could find in the records as a skeleton, he proceeded…