LDS Church Growth: Website for Chinese Mormons
In March 2013 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the Mormon Church, announced a new website for Chinese members of the Church.
The official LDS Church website URL is MormonsandChina.org. At the time of the announcement, LDS Church leaders answered questions and clarified positions on Latter-day Saints in China.
Citizens of the People’s Republic of China have converted to Mormonism as they were outside the PRC for studies or work. Some of those Chinese nationals have remained outside China and often participate in special Chinese branches or wards of the Church. Others have returned to China and follow their faith after their return home.
The Church of Jesus Christ preaches and teaches that members need to be good citizens of their respective countries. It is the good citizenship of the LDS Church in China that has put it on good terms with the Chinese government. The Church continues to honor and respect Chinese law. Because of this, the website is blocked to general use in China. [1] The Church has no Mormon missionaries in China, and no plans to send any.
- The new website includes the most frequently asked questions by PRC Chinese members outside of China and by Church leaders who work around the world with those members. It gives needed basic information for PRC Chinese members returning to China, including whom to contact for information, attending Sunday Church meetings and encouragement to observe relevant Chinese laws.
- The new website explains that Church members should not mail religious materials to China or carry scriptures or other Church materials into China beyond a copy for personal use. Latter-day Saints should not discuss religion or the Church while traveling in China.
- In obedience to Chinese law, worship services for foreign-passport holding Latter-day Saints are separate from worship services for PRC Chinese members, whose branches are directed by their own local priesthood leaders. [2]
