RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Mormons plan to build temple in Russia

WHY A TEMPLE FOR MORMONS IN RUSSIA?

Leader of the community, in interview with NGR, responds to allegations against his church of conspiracy

by Andrei Melnikov

Nezavisimaia Gazeta Religii, 18 April 2018

 

Elected earlier this year, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), Russell Nelson, announced plans to build temples of his confession in several countries, including Russia. According to the beliefs of Mormons, President Nelson possesses a prophetic gift and plans for the construction of sanctuaries are the result of a revelation received. The responsible editor of NGR, Andrei Melnikov, addressed to the leader of Russian Mormons, the president of the religious association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Russia, Alexander Podsobliaev, the question of how the declaration by Russell Nelson comports with the political circumstances of the present.

 

--Alexander Vladimirovich, recently plans to build in Russia the first temple of Mormons in history became known. Perhaps there already is a clarification of which city the sanctuary will appear in. Experience shows that usually a temple is built in the capital . . .

 

--Nothing is known yet. Frankly we were amazed at such a reaction to the news. We learned about this along with everybody on 2 April. As far as we understand, this announcement, which was made by a prophet as the consequence of a revelation he received, was made known for our spiritual improvement. Because, by comparison with other countries, this could be a long story. For comparison, in Paris the temple was built eight years after such an announcement. The temple in Rome will be opened in January 2019, but it was announced eleven years ago. In general, we have meeting houses where Sunday gatherings and other religious events are held. They are open for everybody. We also have more than 160 temples throughout the world. There such special rituals are performed as sealing marriage for eternity. There is nothing secret or forbidden there. In order to show that, there will be open houses before the consecration.

 

--A Mormon temple was opened in Kiev in 2011, and it was understood that it would be possible for residents of central and south Russia to attend the sanctuary. Are the current plans associated with the difficulties of visiting Ukraine in connection with certain circumstances?

 

--The church tries to open temples for maximum accessibility for parishioners. There now are about 23 thousand Mormons in Russia, and they have to travel independently to neighboring countries. Those from the Far East travel to Seoul and those from the northern part of the country, to Helsinki or Stockholm, and those from the south, to Kiev. Access to Kiev is not restricted; believers continue to visit the temple.

 

--But the situation in Ukraine surely also had an impact on the decision to construct a temple in Russia? Now there may be difficulties at the border. . .

 

--Absolutely not. I have spoken with believers. The temple provides an invitation and they cross the border with almost no hindrances. Of course, there are complications, but they are not significant.

 

--Haven't incidents occurred with your believers, when, for example, young men were turned away at the border without an explanation of the reasons?

 

--Perhaps there were, but I have been assured that those who wish make it to Kiev. Usually an invitation from the temple helps.

 

--When the temple was opened in Kiev, I learned in informal conversations with believers that at the time it was much easier to open a Mormon sanctuary in Ukraine than in Russia. The government treats religious diversity there somewhat more liberally. From where is the assurance that in the conditions, when circumstances in our country are, let's say, becoming stricter, that it will now become possible to receive permission from the authorities for construction of a temple, say, in Moscow?

 

--We do not have such assurance. But we hope that we are living in a law-based state and that the constitution works. After all, our organization has been officially registered, and we have the possibility of building meeting houses. Sometimes we face certain difficulties, but the difficulties are not insuperable. Perhaps it will take longer to get such permissions. . .

 

--In several circles of the Orthodox community there is a warning that it will still be difficult for Mormons to build their own temple in Russia. For example they cite the Society of Krishna Consciousness, which for many years has not been able to get permission to build a sanctuary in Moscow. Even for Muslims, construction of additional mosques in the capital turns out to be impossible. How are you preparing to overcome this opposition?

 

-- We are not thinking about that. Members of the church are very happy with the prophet's announcement. We do not expect that this will start tomorrow. We think that now it is better to concentrate on spiritual preparation. Because if we are spiritually ready, then everything will happen according to God's will.

 

--If a Mormon community does not have a temple in a country, is it considered somehow inferior from the point of view of the church?

 

--No. After all, Russian citizens can visit temples in neighboring countries and there is only one shortcoming—inconvenience.

 

--Does that mean that the construction of a temple will not elevate the status of the community in Russia?

 

--It will not.

 

--You have already mentioned that the inaccessibility of the temple for outsiders, after the consecration, engenders various phobias and fears. One of the functions of the temple, which evokes a cautious attitude in outsiders, is the baptism for the dead. It is this that makes many fear that famous Russian figures might be declared to be Mormons. What do you say to this?

 

--We have heard such fears, but they do not have any foundations under them. First, baptism for the dead was performed in New Testament times. There is mention of this in the 15th chapter of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. This was practiced in those times. Second, this ritual is performed among us only with the permission of relatives of the dead person. Recently there were reports that baptisms supposedly were performed with respect to victims of the Holocaust, but we view this negatively. As a rule, such a thing does not happen. Only if relatives have requested doing this. Besides, after the baptism, the person is not enrolled in the lists of the church; he does not become a Mormon. He simply has the possibility, on the other side of the veil, to make his own choice.

 

--Less noticed has remained the news that in Mormon organizations in Russia the so-called offices of family history have been closed everywhere.

 

--Completely true. Since 1 April 2018, the offices of family history have been closed. They were opened in order to teach members of the church how to do family history. As a rule, volunteers are engaged in the teaching. The church made the decision that this is not now critical, and they were closed. From this there was access to various on-line resources. Now the computers have been removed, and these premises will be used for other purposes.

 

--Is this connected somehow with changes in Russian legislation that forbid possessing personal data of Russians abroad?

 

--No, I do not know that. I only know that such a decision was made.

 

--I frequently have encountered statements by conspiracy-minded publicists who maintain that this practice of gathering information is based on "intelligence goals," apparently for the benefit of foreign special services. . . .

 

--I do not understand how it is possible that the souls or names of dead people can be used for some untoward purposes. We totally maintain neutrality and do not participate in political life in any way.

 

--Nevertheless—and you cannot get away from it—the confessional center of Mormons in located in the U.S.A. Tell me, please, whether there has been any damage to the activity of the church in connection with the sharp and profound rupture in relations between Russia and America. Perhaps problems are just waiting?

 

--It is hard for me to predict what will happen, but we are not now experiencing any particular difficulties. We are law-abiding. We teach our parishioners to create strong families, to get education, to find good work, and to be worthy citizens of their country. It is difficult for me to say how this can be harmed by worsening of relations between the countries.

 

--It seems that there still were some incidents connected with the anti-evangelism part of the "Yarovaya Package"?

 

--I think that these changes in legislation have one way or another affected the absolute majority of religious organizations. As of now, we do not have missionaries from abroad who you previously could see on the streets with badges. Now the preaching of the gospel is restricted to meeting houses. But now foreign volunteers are coming to Russia. They are engaged in support of parishioners, social ministry, and the like. They support and strengthen very much the church where there is need.

 

--How many foreign volunteers are now on Russian territory?

 

--The number is not secret. There now are in Russia more than 200 foreign volunteers. All activity is conducted on legal bases. We follow them strictly.

 

--Have you had occasion to meet the American ambassador, John Huntsman, who comes from a family of Mormons?

 

--I personally have not met and am not acquainted with him. As far as I know, he also does not declare himself as a defender or supporter of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In general, we do not meet with ambassadors. (tr. by PDS, posted 19 April 2018)


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