Lds Church And Saudi Arabia

[pam]

haha *high five* Sean

[pam]

Sorry, I can see it didn't let me post the URL. I'm new to the site and just learning how things operate. But you know where to find it.

Doesn't matter about the url. If you click on what you posted it takes you right to the article.

[Sean1427]

By the way, Pam, I just looked and I do have a book entitled Mormons and Muslims but Elder Hunter's expereince isn't there. It might be in the book written by Spencer Palmer of BYU. At least I think that was his name. He died several years ago, but he wrote a book that dealt at least in part on Mormons and Muslims.

[pam]

He wrote the book: Mormons and Muslims: Spiritual Foundations and Modern Manifestations

[Sean1427]

Thanks for the help advice. By the way, regarding Elder Hunter's experience, go ahead and forget the book where I found it. Elder Hunter gave a conference address in 1979 where he shared the experience in his talk entitled "All Are Alike Unto God." I'll have to read the one you found by Elder Scott. Thanks.

[pam]

LDS.org - Ensign Article - “All Are Alike unto God”

[Sean1427]

You do need to know that when I posted a clarification on the LDS in Saudi, I thought the thread was dead. I saw that Traveler posted in 2005 and didn't think anyone else was likely to look at what I posted. So I came unprepared for the party! One of the times my culture affected my the conclusions I drew concerning something I'd seen in the ME involve something Hemidakota (did I get that right?) might appreciate. About a year after I'd been in Saudi, I started to go to Bahrain for a little R & R on the weekend. I stayed in this old traditional hotel. There was the main room and a bathroom. As I sat on the bed to watch a little TV, I noticed a niche in the wall by the TV and a rug hanging from what looked like a towel rack. The door to the bathroom was just to the right of the niche and the rug, and I thought they were really strange to be hangint the bathmat in the main room and not in the bathroom where it should be. But I still didn't know what the niche in he wall was for. It wasn't until the second or third visit that I realized what it all was. What I thought was a bathmat was actually a prayer rug, and the niche was the qibla which points the way to Mecca. It dawned on me then that I was certainly in need of an Islam for Dummies book.

[Nytektchr]

Thank you Sean1427 for your most helpful information. I start work in Buraydah on December 18, 2010 and was wondering if there were any LDS folks in the area. I will be new to the country and I am sure drowning in culture shock for a while - including wearing niqab, hijab and abaya!

[mirna]

is it any group of LDS in Jeddad?? im traveling to this city very soon , i wonder if somebody can give me some direction regarding it

thanks in advance

[spamlds]

The Church has gained these privileges from the Saudi (and China as well) because we always "come in the front door." When we enter a country, we get permission from the government for permission to hold meetings, preach the gospel, etc. When we receive limited permission, we stay within the limits. Sometimes, that takes a long time. In East Germany it was nearly half a century from the end of WWII to the time that the government had sufficient confidence in our members to allow them to serve missions abroad and to allow us to build a temple in that country.

There are other churches that engage in smuggling Bibles into various countries contrary to their laws. They end up causing more persecution for believers because of the surreptitious nature of their activities and their defiance of the laws of the land. Our church teaches people to honor their governments, to not engage in sedition or rebellion, and to be good citizens in every way. It takes a long time, but it ultimately bears fruit.

[rschaffner]

For whatever it's worth, I have been to Saudi 5X since 2008, each time staying in the Al Khobar area. I have attended LDS services on the Saudi Aramco compound in that general area, and was informed that in addition to that ward there is a branch of largely Philippino saints in Al Khobar. At each church service, at the start of the meeting, a letter was read to the congregation to the effect that we are guests in Saudi, the official religion is Islam, and while it is not permitted to be proactive in sharing the gospel, it is permissible to answer questions about the church.

Personally, I have found the experience to be rich and rewarding. My Muslim guests have been sensitive to my needs and gracious hosts, and we spend countless hours discussing religion (when we are not talking business). I might have an opportunity to relocate to Saudi with my family, and if so I would jump at the chance. I am a little more cautious, given “Arab Spring”, but no more so than I am in traveling to large metropolitan areas of the US. Just my $0.02.

Richard Schaffner

Goffstown, NH

[vermonte]

I don't know the location of the church here in Dammam KSA and I just arrived here in Dammam KSA and wanted to attend Church Services tomorrow friday, will you please refer me to the members of the church here in Dammam KSA, my mobileNo. 0549760264

Thank you,

Brother Virgilio O.Monte

Mobile No.0549760264

[mnn727]

This should help you find where to worship

Find a Meetinghouse Near You | Mormon.org