The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bahrain refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Bahrain. Bahrain is headquarters of the Bahrain Stake which encompasses Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. In 2022, there were 252 members in the Bahrain Ward, the only congregation in the country. The Kuwait Ward, part of the Bahrain Stake, had 375 members. The LDS Church does not release membership figures in Saudi Arabia or Yemen due to lack of official recognition.
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bahrain | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Area | Middle East/ Africa North |
| Members | 252 (2022)[1] |
| Stakes | 1 |
| Wards | 1 |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kuwait | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Area | Middle East/ Africa North |
| Members | 375 (2022)[2] |
| Wards | 1 |
History edit
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1976 | 16 |
| 1988 | 35 |
| 2003 | 67 |
| 2009 | 114 |
| 2014 | 175 |
| 2019 | 245 |
| 2022 | 252 |
A group formed in 1971 operated prior to the creation of the Bahrain Branch. The Bahrain Branch was organized in 1978 with Sidney MaGill as the first branch president.[4] In 1976, membership consisted of eight adults and eight children in Bahrain. Four members were received by the Emir of Bahrain in 1989 and cordially welcomed to Bahrain from other Middle Eastern nations for church leadership meetings.[5] The LDS Church has been legally recognized in Bahrain since 2001.[6] Many stake activities for the Manama Bahrain Stake occur in Bahrain due to the level of religious freedom.
Bahrain was part of the church's Europe Central Area beginning in 2000. In the late 2000s, the Middle East/Africa North Area was created. The Manama Bahrain Stake was previously known as the Arabian Peninsula Stake. In 2011, the Manama Bahrain Stake, was divided to create the Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates and the Manama Bahrain District. The Manama Bahrain District became a stake in 2014 with Kent LeRoy Christensen as president.[7] In addition to the Bahrain Ward (formally Bahrain Branch), a group has historically operated in Bahrain to meet the needs of American military servicemen.
Since the 1970s, the church has had steady growth in Bahrain and the Middle East.[8] LDS Church members in the region are primarily from western countries and the Philippines. Church services in the Arabian Peninsula are typically held on Friday, the Muslim Holy day. Proselyting, especially among Muslims, is prohibited in Middle Eastern countries.[9]
Manama Bahrain Stake edit
As of February 2023, the Manama Bahrain Stake consisted of congregations in the following countries:
Bahrain edit
Bahrain Ward is the only established congregation in Bahrain[10] Due to the level of religious freedom in Bahrain, many activities of the stake occur in Bahrain. A separate serviceman's group for US military members exists in Bahrain when US military is present in the country.
Kuwait edit
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 50 |
| 2004 | 57 |
| 2009 | 70 |
| 2014 | 285 |
| 2019 | 365 |
| 2022 | 375 |
| Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Kuwait[2] | |
The Kuwait Ward of the Manama Bahrain Stake had 359 members as of December 31, 2021.[10] As with most other congregations in the Middle East, it meets on Friday, the holy day in Islam.[11] The Kuwait Government officially recognized the LDS Church in 2019.[12][13]
Saudi Arabia edit
In 2018, as many as ten congregations meet privately in undisclosed locations in Saudi Arabia. There may be as many as 1,500 LDS Church members in Saudi Arabia in 2018.[14]
Yemen edit
If there are any LDS Church congregations meeting in Yemen, it is likely done privately in the homes of members.[15] Latter-day Saint Charities operates in Yemen which has included providing clean water to 350,000 people in Yemen.[16]
Missions edit
The Bahrain Stake is part of the Middle East/North Africa Area, the only LDS Church area without a mission. Members are encouraged to follow and obey the laws of the land.[17] Proselyting, especially among Muslims, is prohibited in Middle Eastern countries.[9]
Temples edit
There are no temples in Bahrain. On April 5, 2020, church president Russell M. Nelson announced a temple will be constructed in Dubai.[18]
|
edit | ||
| Location: Announced: |
Dubai, United Arab Emirates 5 April 2020 by Russell M. Nelson[19] | ||
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Bahrain", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 4 June 2023
- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Kuwait", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 4 June 2023
- ^ Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Bahrain
- ^ Platt, Joseph (April 1988). "Our Oasis of Faith". Ensign. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ "LDS greeted in Bahrain", Church News, Deseret News, December 23, 1989, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ Will Krueger (May 19, 2019), Amirah Abdullah shares her journey from being baptized in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain to adjusting to life in Laie, Ke Alaka'i, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ "New stake presidents", Church News, Deseret News, March 7, 2015, retrieved September 14, 2021
- ^ Apostle witnesses firsthand LDS growth in Middle East, The Salt Lake Tribune, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ a b Brittany Carlile (February 12, 2013), "The Church in the Middle East: Balancing religion and culture", The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ a b "Classic Maps", churchofjesuschrist.org, retrieved 2021-08-27
- ^ Harriet Petherick Bushman (Jun 23, 2009), A Mormon branch in Kuwait: Peaceful, once you get there, Deseret News, retrieved Sep 14, 2019
- ^ "Kuwait Officially Recognizes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", Church News, LDS Church, April 3, 2019, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ "Apostle Thanks State of Kuwait for Formally Recognizing the Church", Church News, LDS Church, June 12, 2019, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ "Country Resources: Reaching the Nations: Saudi Arabia", cumorah.com, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ "Country Resources: Reaching the Nations: Yemen", cumorah.com, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ "LDS Charities Providing Food and Water to People in Yemen", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved September 6, 2021
- ^ "Members in Middle East Reminded to Obey, Honor, and Sustain Law", LDS Church, retrieved September 14, 2021
- ^ Walch, Tad (2020-04-05). "President Nelson announces 8 new temples, including locations in Congo, Dubai and Shanghai". Deseret News. Retrieved 2020-04-06.
- ^ "Prophet Announces Eight New Temples at General Conference: The Church will build its first temple in the Middle East", Newsroom, LDS Church, 5 April 2020
External links edit
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Official Site
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom - Middle East
- ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site