The August 2000 issue of the Ensign magazine said: "The [LDS] Church has sought to respect Islamic laws and traditions that prohibit conversion of Muslims to other faiths by adopting a policy of nonproselyting in Islamic countries of the Middle East." (page 52)

How does this policy correspond to the Bible's Great Commission wherein Jesus Christ commanded His followers to preach the Gospel and make disciples in all nations? (Matthew 28:19)

mormonism teaches the bible is not translated correctly, so they probably don't trust that verse in the first place. i think this is sad. i have never meet a mormon who could show me any verse that is wrong. and with the new revelation they supposedly get god cant/won't revel the corrupt scripture. i also feel they will respect the islamic laws because they truly don't preach the gospel out of love. when a mormon comes to my house to share with me and i ask why do you do this, they usually say we love you and want to share the truth. yet when i ask hard questions they say, "we gotta go, because we are not here to be taught." that tells me they don't truly love me. i wont run away if someone tells me i'm wrong. i will say, "so teach me. show me where i'm wrong." also there is the persecution factor in islam. you could die for preaching any other religion. i don't believe the mormons are willing to die for there beliefs, other wise they would do it anyway. two of the disciples were not to preach jesus christ then they were beaten and let go. they went right back to preaching. the threat of death did not stop them, they rejoiced that they suffered the beating. so in light of matthew 28:19 i don't feel they truly believe this part of the bible. if there is anyone who does want to fulfill this scripture you can contact me for further talks at [email protected]. -RB (non-LDS)

Peace. We are to proclaim the Gospel "in season and out of season"; however we are not to force any to embrace it. Christ didnt draw a sword againist his ememies he prayed and died for them, let this be our supreme model. -J (non-LDS)

The Mormon leadership approach things in a very business like mannor. The hostility toward Mormon Missionaries teaching Mormonism in an Islamic country would be fatal and therefore unwise and impractical. It is my understanding that Christian Missionaries in Islamic counties limit their work to acts of charity ie food distribution and medical services and respect the civil law prohibiting the proselytizing of Muslims. I wonder if the Mormons are using any of their vast resources to assist the starving and deprived people in Islamic countries just for the sake of "compasionate service" as the Christians are doing. -DJ (X-LDS)

QM COMMENT: According to a 10 May 2003 article in the Deseret News: "In cooperation with the Muslim community of southern California, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sending relief supplies to war-torn Iraq but has taken pains to distance itself from evangelical groups that have been accused of using such aid as a pretext for Christian proselytizing."

The LDS very much believe in the "great commission wherein Jesus Christ commanded his followers to preach the Gospel and make disciples in all nations. Does that mean that to proselyte is the only way to conversion? The answer is no. The article that this quote came from is very clear on how to approach those of the Islamic faith. We are to be like the "Good Samaritan", to act compassionate to in spite of our differences, to be a good neighbor and not to condemn those with differing beliefs. We are to start the conversion process by finding common ground and holding to the basic truths. The LDS church has always abided by the Laws of the government in which they seek to spread the gospel. Keeping an honest approach verses a dishonest underground approach or a break the law of the land approach that other religions may use. I believe that Jesus Christ was a law abiding and tax paying citizen. Following this approach, I believe that is why the LDS church has been so successful in getting into countries that other religions have a harder time getting into.

I believe the article shows there is more than one way for conversion to Christ. Nobody wants to be beat over the head with "your wrong" including LDS. For Example I don't believe that websites like this one offer anything toward conversion, therefore why would the LDS Church follow this same destructive pattern? I would encourage all to read the article in its entirety and see the beauty and truth of the message. You can view the article at http://library.lds.org [search for "Perspective on Muhammad"]. -ER (LDS)

As stated in the question, the savior said we should, "teach all nations." However, we must keep in mind the twelveth article of faith, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in honoring obeying and substaining the law." If a country forbids the teaching of the gospel, the church accepts it. In some countries where the gospel can't be taught the Church sends missionaries to teach english or other important secular knowledge, after all all knowledge is sprirital and all truth is beneficial for man. These missionaries are prepared to answer questions regarding the church if opportunity is presented, even though they aren't actual prosolyting missionaries. -DS (LDS)

The twelfth article of faith states "We [mormons] believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, magistrates, in obeying, honouring and sustaining the law." Perhaps part of this reason of the "adopting [of] a policy of non-proselyting in Islamic countries of the Middle East" is because of what it has said. That is, it has sought to respect the laws of the country. It is against the law in many of these countries. Besides, assuming that mormonism is true, it then qualify's such statements, as it could be (again, if mormonism is true) the desire of Christ at this time, not ignoring Matt 28:19. There is a time and season for everything. -C (LDS)

There is a clear contradiction here. Of course, the LDS practice of proxy baptism may, in their view, let them off the hook. -F (non-LDS)

I find it interesting that the LDS would refer to work among Islamic peoples as "proselytization"! The LDS apparently has less respect for the Christian Church.

As for the Great Commission, the LDS cannot act on it, since the Gospel of free grace alone in Jesus Christ is not preached by the LDS organization.

Thanks to God! He saves not those who try, but those who do not and cannot try, the ungodly. The blood of His Son will cover any and all who look outside of themselves to what He did! -CB (non-LDS)

The great commission says, "teach ALL nations." If you love God and the people, you wouldn't leave them in a religious system you believe to be false, leading people to eternal damnation. That the LDS would rather see these people damned than to "speak the truth in love" to them is very disturbing. We are not to disregard the great commission; it is what God wants us to do. The twelfth article of faith says to be subject to men who are given authority by God, yet God is still over them. Who is greater: God or man?

Acts 4:17,19-20,31b, says: "But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this Name (Jesus)...But Peter and John answered and said to them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.' ...and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."

"But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: 'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?'" Mt.12:25 - 26.

The devil won't fight against himself. Of course Mormons are able to get into countries Christians can't openly get into; if you go from one false religion to another, it doesn't affect Satan's kingdom at all. Christian's don't have the accessibility because the truth is a threat to Satan and all those without a true relationship to God through Jesus Christ alone. -SB (non-LDS)