Mormon Missionaries to Stay in Russia Despite New Law

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Mormon Missionaries to Stay in Russia Despite New Law

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SALT LAKE CITY — Jul 9, 2016, 7:16 PM ET

Mormon missionaries will remain in Russia despite the country's new anti-terrorism law, which will put greater restrictions on religious work starting later this month.

In a statement issued Friday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said that missionaries will respect a measure that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law this week.

"The church will honor, sustain and obey the law," the church said. "The church will further study and analyze the law and its impact as it goes into effect."

Starting July 20, missionary workers will be working under more stringent rules. They include a requirement that missionary work be done by people affiliated with registered organizations. Missionaries and organizations caught praying and disseminating materials in private residences could be subject to fines. They range from $780 per missionary and $15,500 for an organization.

Furthermore, religious work can only be done in houses of worship and other related religious sites. Critics say this aspect is way too restrictive. It would mean no Mormons could share their faith online or in a home to which they have been invited.

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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/mormon-missionaries-stay-russia-law-40463235

[Duckhunter935]

1. Their choice

I hope they do not scream to loud when they start having to pay fines.

[longship]

2. Detection is easy.

1. They travel in pairs.

2. Dressed alike, like Bobbsie Twins (identical dark suits, white shirt, skinny dark ties).

One could pick them out in the dark with ones eyes closed. They knock on my door occasionally here in the Manistee National Forest -- invites the question why they would think that this is a fertile ground. Nevertheless, when I ask them about the golden plates and seeing stones, the planet Kolob and the singularly appropriately named angel Moroni, then suggest that their founder was an utter fraud, they beat a fast retreat. As they go, I wish them luck with my devout Seventh Day Adventist neighbor (a truly nice guy) without saying which one he is. They'll find out I am sure when they knock on his door.

Mormons! Bah!

[dhill926]

3. "the singularly appropriately named angel Moroni"

excellent wordsmithing there...

[longship]

4. Thank you, kind sir.

I kind of like the Bobbsey Twin analogy, too. (Oops! Spelled it wrong.) Except, like me and my sister, the Bobbseys were fraternal twins, not the identical Mormon twins who inevitably knock on my door.

I'm always tempted to ask about the secret underwear, but I resist.

It is a horrible religion, based on unbridled misogyny and racism.

[rug]

5. These new regulations are once again cemetning the Russian Orthodox Church to the state.