Thought to share my knowledge about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in India. Some facts and stats to know-The church has a rich history in India which is over 160 years, where it began on the streets of Calcutta, which is now known as Kolkata located on the north-east of India. Unofficially, proselyting work began in 1850 by British sailors who visited Calcutta, India. They were followed in 1851 by Elder Joseph Richards, who had baptized several people in Calcutta and then set them apart as missionaries. A small branch (a small congregation) was established, but was depleted by emigration. However, additional missionaries arrived and baptized a few more people, and a small meetinghouse was built.In 1853, additional missionaries took the gospel message to Madras, Bombay, Rangoon, Karachi, Poona, and other areas, and several small branches were established. However, when these missionaries returned to Utah in 1858, some of the converts also emigrated. Although other missionaries and conversions followed, the missionaries were not successful in learning the native languages and the India Mission was not considered a successful one. At least one branch existed through 1903.Other missionary efforts were initiated in subsequent years with some success. In 1981, government regulations allowed a missionary couple to establish a branch. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ was translated into Telugu in 1981.In 1993, a mission was created in Bangalore with Gucharan Singh Gill, a native of India, presiding over it. At that time there were 1,150 members in 13 branches, which increased to 2,000 members in 18 branches five years later.The first meetinghouse in India was dedicated on 2 February 2002, housing the Rajahmundry Branch. [Excerpt from Lds.org] Currently the church has more than 12, 000 members, 2 missions, 42 congregations, 5 family history centers, countless man-hours of voluntary service offered by national and international members to support local humanitarian, professional services & educational projects across Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, & Bangladesh. Now the local members are serving the locals in preaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, offering humanitarian services, community outreach projects, educational & professional services to lift others in need and bring all unto Christ. As it is written in scriptures, And he shall set up an [ensign] for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers. And at that day shall the remnant of [his] seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. To learn about the faith, beliefs or to contact the local missionaries, please visit mormon.org.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:00:10 +0000
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