Church Statement regarding Switzerland Missionaries

[pam]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement in response to news media inquiries regarding a new policy in Switzerland that would ban all missionaries from non-European Union countries beginning in 2012:

Church Statement Regarding Switzerland Missionaries - LDS Newsroom

[Maya]

That is kind of funny... it would also ban the Norwegean misionaries...

[Wingnut]

I don't see this as too big of a deal. There are a few countries in South America where the Church doesn't send non-Latino missionaries, for safety reasons. I'm sure they'd be able to figure out how to coordinate a similar restriction for Switzerland.

The only question I see is if there are enough missionaries from European Union countries to keep Switzerland as fully-missionary-staffed as it currently is. I'm sure there likely are.

[Guest BarcodeIIIlll]

That is kind of funny... it would also ban the Norwegean misionaries...

norweigien, arnt they europe too?

so british and french can go and all?

[Guest mormonmusic]

This article only prompted questions in my view -- why is Switzerland against non-European missionaries? Is it our Church only, or is it missionaries of all faiths?

[Dravin]

norweigien, arnt they europe too?

so british and french can go and all?

Norway isn't part of the European Union IIRC.

[talisyn]

Huh. I didn't know the Swiss were part of the EU.

[hordak]

This article only prompted questions in my view -- why is Switzerland against non-European missionaries? Is it our Church only, or is it missionaries of all faiths?

I don't think it is about missionaries.

SALT LAKE CITY -- It appears American missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are about to be squeezed out of Switzerland. A new regulation there cracks down on work visas for foreigners.

Earlier this year, a Swiss court ruled missionaries are subject to foreigner-employment quotas, deeming missionaries as "gainfully employed."

It's about foreign work visas, and the missionaries just fall under the new regulation.

ksl.com - Congressmen hope to persuade Swiss on law limiting missionaries

[MarginOfError]

I see this going one of two ways. Either this is really about cracking down on work visas, and with a little discussion and some persuasion, they'll see that our missionaries (if not those of other faiths as well) are not gainfully employed and will grant an exemption. Or this is about keeping out foreign influence, in which no amount of persuasion will fix this. Either way, it won't slow the work of the Church very much.

[Backroads]

Sad. I personally believe Switzerland is the most beautiful country on earth and that God made it last.

[TL10]

Sad. I personally believe Switzerland is the most beautiful country on earth and that God made it last.

Obviously you havn't been to Canada yet.

Back On Topic:

This was surprising to me. Of all places that I'd expect missionaries to get booted out, Switzerland isn't on that list. I would've thought more along the lines of places where the christian demographic is small.

In other news, I'm still stinging from the irony that my nickname is Switzerland in Social Studies.

True Story.

[Wingnut]

Of all places that I'd expect missionaries to get booted out, Switzerland isn't on that list.

Missionaries aren't being "booted out" of Switzerland. Non-European missionaries are being booted out due to visa issues.

[TL10]

Missionaries aren't being "booted out" of Switzerland. Non-European missionaries are being booted out due to visa issues.

I understand that, but keeping out missionaries from places outside of Europe is quite a signifcant number.

[talisyn]

I thought they were booting non-EU missionaries...I prob should read the article better

Read it againand it was about non-EU people.

From Hordak's link

As of the first of 2010, nearly 8,000 members of the church resided among Switzerland's population of 7.6 million, with the church counting five stakes, 24 wards and 12 branches in the country.

Sounds like it's time for our brothers and sisters in Switzerland to go to the next level of 'Every Member a Missionary'

Edited December 17, 2010 by talisyn
read article again

[Elphaba]

Why is it your nickname?

Elph

[Elphaba]

In other news, I'm still stinging from the irony that my nickname is Switzerland in Social Studies.

Why is it your nickname. Somehow, I don't see you as being neutral about very many things. :)

Elph

[Blackmarch]

This article only prompted questions in my view -- why is Switzerland against non-European missionaries? Is it our Church only, or is it missionaries of all faiths?

Well from what i've seen in the news it encompasses all missionaries from all organizations, that are foreign.