It’s so much fun working in Public Affairs when new things are happening. A few weeks ago we knew some of our bosses were involved with something BIG! They were scurrying off to meetings with the Brethren. One rumor said an important visitor was in town. Who could it be? My associate at the front desk guessed the President. “Not even close!” said Elder Banks, who heads up VIP hosting. We heard that the North Visitors’ Center was closed to the public for a time while the “visitor” was there. Hm-m-m-m?
About a week later the news broke: the LDS Church and the government of China had “regularized” their relationship. A high level Chinese visitor had come to Salt Lake City to finalize the new development. “Now you know who that mysterious visitor was,” Elder Banks quipped.
What does all this mean? Who knows! I have taken a lot of calls at Public Affairs asking that very question. “Regularized” is a word that was carefully negotiated and chosen. Read the official news release on this new development with China. http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-in-talks-to-regularize-activities-in-china
The Chinese government is not very open to “religion.” This is a communist country, after all. Many churches had slipped in the back door and gone about their work despite government laws and regulations. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day has followed the laws to the letter. For 30 years we have been doing that. Finally it has paid off. Will our missionaries be going to China? Absolutely NOT! We have just “regularized” our relationship. The weeks and months ahead will show what that means.
But for one Chinese man that I know of, it must bring joy and hope. He visited Temple Square a few months ago. He was amazed by our worldwide humanitarian work; he found himself interested in family history and the possibility of uniting families for eternity. He felt the Spirit here—strongly. He said he would be back someday and bring his wife and children. Does “regularizing” mean he can have the gospel in his life one day? I hope so very much.
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