Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved new laws that are placing broad restrictions on preaching, teaching, and performing missionary work in the country. How will this impact the Church in Russia?
On June 29th Christianity Today online reported on new laws moving through the legislative process in Russia.
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The proposed laws are perhaps the most restrictive since the Soviet Union dissolved. They place “broad limitations on missionary work, including preaching, teaching, and engaging in any activity designed to recruit people into a religious group.”
In order to share the message of their faith in any way, Russians will have to obtain a permit from the government through a registered religious organization (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a registered organization). Even then, members of a recognized church with a permit, will not be able to preach anywhere except inside churches or other religious sites. The restrictions will include private residences and online, so missionaries will not be able to contact or teach people in their homes or contact them through email or LDS websites.