After Liahona have been approved to be printed in simplified Chinese
in 2012, there is another cheering news for over 70 Mainland Chinese students
in BYU-Hawaii. The new website, www.mormonsandchina.org, is now
available for specific information between the People's Republic of China and The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The new website attempts to answer frequently asked questions by
church leaders who minister to Chinese Mormon as well as Chinese Mormon who are
currently living outside China
but have concerns about continuing the worship after their returning to China.
For the first time, the church is publicly addressing the concerns
regarding to its operation and membership in China. As a Q&A format, the
site provides official guidelines, including the current status of the Church
in China, whether the church
has missionary activity in China,
and how to find a LDS congregation in China.
“Our more open communication about the church in China follows our developed relationship of
trust with Chinese officials and our concern for the PRC citizens who are
joining the church throughout the world,” said Elder Dallin H.
Oaks of the LDS Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who has
supervised the church in China
for a number of years.
“We will continue to teach our members to be good citizens.
Providing accurate information about the Church will allow them to better
contribute to society in China,” Oaks emphasized, "The church has no
proselyting missionaries in the People's Republic of China nor does it have any
plans to send missionaries, or to engage in any proselyting activities in
China.”
“Over the years, the Church has built a strong relationship of trust
with the People’s Republic of China by always respecting the important laws and
traditions of that country,” for this purpose, he said, the Church is blocking
access to this website so it cannot be viewed in China.”
According to the site, to avoid any misunderstanding as trying to
promote the Church in China,
should church members neither distribute any Church materials nor set up
religious-based internet blogs. It is also discouraged that church members take
more than one copy of church material beyond personal use when travel to China.
Jeff Ye, a political junior from China, said he felt happy about the
new site. “It's helpful for Chinese who joined the church outside china and
plan to go back,” Ye said. As a Chinese Mormon got baptized in Mainland China,
he said the site does not directly affect him because “I already knew where the
church is and the laws in china.”
Jade Cheng, an elementary education freshman from Hong
Kong, said “I am happy finally the church stands up and clear all
the rumors. Sometimes, I hear stories about how members tempted to bring Book
of Mormon or Liahona while traveling to China. I think it is not good for
the reputation of the church. We shouldn’t do illegal things even though for
the purpose of preaching the gospel.”
Planning to do internship in China,
Derek Kaye, an ICS junior from Washington,
said he appreciated the website reminds LDS member the do and don’t in China. “The
church is becoming a global organization and the website means it is
progressing,” he said. “I read the site. It is a good example that the church
is very careful in following the correct principle. And it fulfilled my curiosity
about what to be aware of.” For example, he said, “At least I know bringing ‘1
copy of Book of Mormon to China
only’ is not just a Mormon rumor.”
Clover Cheng
No comments:
Post a Comment