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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bahrain

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
AreaMiddle East/ Africa North
Members252 (2022)[1]
Stakes1
Wards1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kuwait
AreaMiddle East/ Africa North
Members375 (2022)[2]
Wards1

History

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Membership in Bahrain[3][1]
YearMembership
197616
198835
200367
2009114
2014175
2019245
2022252

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

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As of February 2023, the Manama Bahrain Stake consisted of congregations in the following countries:

Bahrain

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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

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Membership in Kuwait
YearMembership
200150
200457
200970
2014285
2019365
2022375
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

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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

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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

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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

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There are no temples in Bahrain. On April 5, 2020, church president Russell M. Nelson announced a temple will be constructed in Dubai.[18]

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Location:
Announced: 		Dubai, United Arab Emirates
5 April 2020 by Russell M. Nelson[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Bahrain", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 4 June 2023
  2. ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Kuwait", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 4 June 2023
  3. ^ Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Bahrain
  4. ^ Platt, Joseph (April 1988). "Our Oasis of Faith". Ensign. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  5. ^ "LDS greeted in Bahrain", Church News, Deseret News, December 23, 1989, retrieved September 6, 2021
  6. ^ 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
  7. ^ "New stake presidents", Church News, Deseret News, March 7, 2015, retrieved September 14, 2021
  8. ^ Apostle witnesses firsthand LDS growth in Middle East, The Salt Lake Tribune, retrieved September 6, 2021
  9. ^ 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
  10. ^ a b "Classic Maps", churchofjesuschrist.org, retrieved 2021-08-27
  11. ^ Harriet Petherick Bushman (Jun 23, 2009), A Mormon branch in Kuwait: Peaceful, once you get there, Deseret News, retrieved Sep 14, 2019
  12. ^ "Kuwait Officially Recognizes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", Church News, LDS Church, April 3, 2019, retrieved September 6, 2021
  13. ^ "Apostle Thanks State of Kuwait for Formally Recognizing the Church", Church News, LDS Church, June 12, 2019, retrieved September 6, 2021
  14. ^ "Country Resources: Reaching the Nations: Saudi Arabia", cumorah.com, retrieved September 6, 2021
  15. ^ "Country Resources: Reaching the Nations: Yemen", cumorah.com, retrieved September 6, 2021
  16. ^ "LDS Charities Providing Food and Water to People in Yemen", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved September 6, 2021
  17. ^ "Members in Middle East Reminded to Obey, Honor, and Sustain Law", LDS Church, retrieved September 14, 2021
  18. ^ Walch, Tad (2020-04-05). "President Nelson announces 8 new temples, including locations in Congo, Dubai and Shanghai". Deseret News. Retrieved 2020-04-06.
  19. ^ "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
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