Mormon Missionaries Abroad: Navigating The Challenges Of Afghanistan

Afghanistan has been plagued by war and conflict for over three decades, resulting in its status as one of the world's poorest and least developed countries. It is also one of the most dangerous places to be a woman due to issues such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, cultural prejudice, and gender-based violence. While the majority of Afghans are Muslim, with about 80% Sunni and 19% Shia, there are also small communities of Buddhists, Parsis (Zoroastrians), Sikhs, Hindus, and Christians. Christianity is believed to have been introduced to Afghanistan by the apostle Thomas, and it once had a significant presence in the country, particularly during the rule of the Mongol Empire. Today, there are underground house churches across Afghanistan, but the exact number of Afghan Christians is unknown due to the dangers they face from radical Islamist groups.

In terms of LDS missionaries, there does not appear to be any specific information about their presence in Afghanistan. However, it is known that members of the LDS Church, or Latter-day Saints, are serving in the country as part of the military, diplomatic corps, or aid and nation-building efforts. The Afghanistan Military District, created in July 2008, includes four military branches and numerous LDS service member groups. These Latter-day Saints adapt to local customs and traditions, such as honouring the Sabbath on Friday, to respect their Afghan hosts and be of service to them. While there may not be official LDS missionaries in Afghanistan due to the challenging circumstances, the presence of Latter-day Saints through other means suggests a desire to share their beliefs and provide support to those in need.

LDS military district in Afghanistan

The Afghanistan Military District was created in July 2008 and covers the entire country. It is part of the Middle East/Africa North Area. The district includes four military branches and numerous LDS service member groups across the country. There are more than 400 members serving in Afghanistan at more than 40 locations.

Latter-day Saint expatriates can be found in virtually all corners of the nation. They are assigned to military, diplomatic, or aid and nation-building missions and activities within Afghanistan. They may find themselves among a large body of Church members or at a remote location.

In many areas of the country, Latter-day Saints follow the Islamic traditions of honouring the Sabbath on Friday. "Being a bit adaptive is very necessary to being successful in everything we do to help Afghans," said Eugene Wikle, president of the Afghanistan Military District. "While we clearly maintain our standards, we've learned to adjust how and when we meet as both a practical matter and also a matter of respect to our hosts. Such courtesy demonstrates our true desire to be of service and speaks more to the Afghans than almost anything else we might say."

Each week, Latter-day Saints receive a devotional message and other important news from the Church through the district presidency. To help relieve some of the stresses of serving in a war zone, they are also provided with DVDs and CD recordings of "Music and the Spoken Word," Church devotionals, and general conference messages through the Church Military Relations Division.

"We encourage each member to stay close to the Lord through daily prayer and scripture reading, and to receive the blessings of the sacrament each week," President Wikle said. "Our active participation in Church services and association with other members of the Church helps strengthen each of us. In this manner, we are a positive example with those whom we serve and with the citizens of Afghanistan."

The Church in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has been plagued by war and conflict for over three decades, resulting in its status as one of the most underdeveloped and impoverished countries globally. Its economy, infrastructure, and civil society have been left in ruins, with countless national treasures destroyed. The Afghan people face violence, extremism, poverty, inadequate healthcare, cultural prejudice, and gender-based violence, particularly affecting women.

Christianity is believed to have first been brought to Afghanistan by the apostle Thomas, with the Church of the East (also the Nestorian Church or Assyrian Church of the East) established in parts of the country by the 5th century. It received recognition from the Persian Sassanid Empire, which ruled Afghanistan until 579. During the Mongol Empire, some rulers converted to Islam and the new religion was propagated zealously, almost eradicating the Church of the East.

Today, Afghanistan's Christian population is difficult to determine. Christian mission organizations report the existence of several hundred small underground house churches, each consisting of fewer than ten people. A 2007 report by the U.S. Department of State estimates the number of Afghan Christians to be between 500 and 8,000. Despite constitutional promises of religious tolerance, those who are openly Christian or converting from Islam remain vulnerable to radical Islamist groups.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has a presence in Afghanistan through its military district, which was created in July 2008 and covers the entire country. There are more than 400 Latter-day Saint expatriates serving in over 40 locations across Afghanistan. They adapt to local customs, such as honouring the Sabbath on Friday, to respect their Afghan hosts. The district includes four military branches and numerous LDS service member groups. The Church Military Relations Division provides devotional messages, DVDs, and CD recordings to help members cope with the challenges of serving in a war zone.

The LDS Church in Afghanistan focuses on service and providing blessings to its members and the Afghan people. Eugene Wikle, president of the Afghanistan Military District, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lord and their respective nations. The Church encourages members to stay close to their faith through daily prayer, scripture reading, and participation in Church services to strengthen their resilience in the face of challenging circumstances.

Members of the Church in Afghanistan

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Latter-day Saints, can be found all over the world, including in Afghanistan. The arrival of the Latter-day Saints in Afghanistan began in the early 2000s, during the war that followed the Al-Qaeda-orchestrated attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

In 2008, the Church officially organized the Kabul Afghanistan Military District to serve members in the area. The district included four military branches and numerous LDS service member groups across the country. During the height of the war, it is believed that between 500 and 700 Latter-day Saints belonged to the Kabul Afghanistan Military District. However, after active combat operations ceased in 2014, the district was disbanded and Church membership dropped significantly as military members withdrew from the area.

Latter-day Saints in Afghanistan faced unique challenges due to the ongoing conflict and instability in the country. They had to adapt to the local culture and customs, including honoring the Sabbath on Friday, the Islamic day of rest. They also faced security risks, as evidenced by the sound of rockets filling the chapels during sacrament meetings. Despite these challenges, the Latter-day Saints in Afghanistan remained dedicated to their faith and found comfort and strength in their religious community.

Today, there is limited information available about the current presence of the Church in Afghanistan. It is known that in 2018, a single branch remained in Kabul. The members of this branch continue to bear testimony of how Jesus Christ served alongside them during their time in the country.

The Afghanistan Military District

The district is administered by a presidency made up of a president, Eugene Wikle, and two counsellors, Winn Noyes and David Andrews. The presidency maintains contact with the Middle East Desk and the Church Military Relations Division. The latter also provides devotional messages, DVDs and CD recordings of devotionals and general conference to members serving in the country.

There are more than 400 members serving in Afghanistan at more than 40 locations. Members of the Church serving in Afghanistan are encouraged to adapt to local customs, such as honouring the Sabbath on Friday, as a practical matter and to show respect to their Afghan hosts.

Islamic traditions of honouring the Sabbath on Friday

In Islam, the Sabbath is not religiously mandated in the same way as in Judeo-Christian traditions. Instead, Muslims observe Friday as a day of worship, known as Jumu'ah. This day is considered holy, and Muslims attend congregational prayers, led by a religious leader or Imam, which include a sermon or khutba. The Quran instructs Muslims to stop whatever they are doing to attend these prayers and then return to their usual activities:

> O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. (Quran 62:9, Sahih International Translation)

> And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed. (Quran 62:10, Sahih International Translation)

The Islamic weekend usually falls on Friday and Saturday. This is largely due to the importance of Friday as a day of worship, with many stores and bazaars closed during the day and only opening in the evening.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is recorded as saying that Friday is the best day of the week. This is because the first man, Adam, was both created by Allah and put into Paradise on a Friday. Likewise, Adam was expelled from Paradise on a Friday, and the Day of Judgement will also fall on a Friday.

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