The Christian LDS Church in Iran: A Beacon of Faith Amidst Persecution
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS Priest
Christianity has a long and rich history in Iran, dating back to the apostolic era when early Christians, including Persian converts, spread the Gospel throughout the Parthian and Sassanian Empires. However, under Islamic rule, Christianity became a marginalized and persecuted faith. Today, as the Islamic Republic of Iran maintains an iron grip on religious expression, one Christian movement—the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)—has faced unique challenges yet continues to grow underground.
The Historical Christian Presence in Iran
Christianity was once a dominant force in Persia. Before the Arab Islamic conquest of the 7th century, Iran was home to thriving Christian communities, such as the Church of the East and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Many Persians embraced Christianity, and some Zoroastrians found Christ's teachings appealing, particularly the belief in a divine Savior. However, after the establishment of Islamic rule, Christians were treated as dhimmis—second-class citizens subject to heavy taxation, discrimination, and at times, forced conversions (Amir-Moezzi, The Spirituality of Shi’i Islam, 2011).
The Arrival of the LDS Church
The Latter-day Saint movement originated in the United States in the early 19th century, but its teachings share profound historical and theological connections with the ancient traditions of the Persian world. LDS doctrine emphasizes pre-mortal existence, eternal progression, and divine revelation—beliefs that resonate with ancient Persian spiritual philosophies.
In the 20th century, the LDS Church began reaching Iranian communities, primarily through Persian converts abroad. By the late 1970s, as the Iranian Revolution loomed, LDS missionaries had begun working with small groups of converts inside Iran. However, after the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini’s Islamic regime in 1979, all missionary efforts were banned, and the LDS presence became almost entirely underground (Bowen, Latter-day Saints and Islam: Understanding a Complex Relationship, 2012).
Persecution and the Underground LDS Movement
Under Iran’s strict Sharia law, conversion from Islam to Christianity—especially to the LDS faith—is punishable by death. Iranian authorities regularly arrest Christian converts, labeling them as threats to national security. The 2010 imprisonment of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and the 2012 arrest of Pastor Saeed Abedini made international headlines, highlighting the brutal persecution faced by Persian Christians (U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, 2019).
Despite the risks, Iranian LDS converts continue to practice their faith in secret, often gathering in underground house churches. Many rely on digital scriptures, VPNs, and encrypted communication to access LDS teachings online. The Book of Mormon has been translated into Persian (Farsi), and Persian-speaking members abroad—particularly in the United States, Germany, and Turkey—continue to share the restored Gospel with their fellow Iranians (LDS.org, 2023).
Why Iranians Are Drawn to the LDS Church
Many Iranians see through the lies of Islam and are seeking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, rather than submission to an authoritarian and legalistic system. The LDS Church offers Iranians the following key appeals:
- The True Restoration of Christ’s Gospel – Unlike Islam, which was spread by force, Mormonism teaches direct personal revelation and God’s love for all people.
- Persian Heritage and LDS Teachings – LDS theology aligns with Iran’s pre-Islamic Zoroastrian roots, emphasizing agency, divine purpose, and eternal families.
- Moral and Family Values – The LDS Church promotes strong families, chastity, and a moral way of life, in contrast to the broken Islamic system that encourages polygamy and misogyny.
- Religious Liberty and Individual Freedom – Many Iranians, tired of Islamic oppression, find hope in the LDS belief in free agency, which Islam suppresses.
The Role of Iranian LDS Converts in the Diaspora
Many Iranian Latter-day Saints live abroad, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Europe. These faithful members act as ambassadors of Christ’s restored Gospel, translating LDS materials into Persian and spreading the faith through digital platforms. Some Iranian converts have even begun Farsi-speaking LDS congregations in exile.
The Iranian regime fears the rapid growth of Christianity—especially in its most vibrant, truth-seeking form, found in the LDS movement. Islamic authorities are well aware that more Persians are leaving Islam than ever before, and many of them are embracing the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: The Future of the LDS Church in Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran may seek to crush Christianity, but Christ’s Kingdom cannot be stopped. The LDS Church, though persecuted, continues to spread underground in Iran, offering hope to those enslaved by the falsehoods of Islam. Just as ancient Persians once followed the Magi to Christ’s birth, modern Iranians are being led back to Christ through the Restored Gospel.
Despite persecution, the truth of Christ’s love will always triumph over tyranny.
Citations:
- Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali. The Spirituality of Shi’i Islam: Belief and Practices. I.B. Tauris, 2011.
- Bowen, Matthew L. Latter-day Saints and Islam: Understanding a Complex Relationship. Religious Studies Center, BYU, 2012.
- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Annual Report on Iran’s Religious Persecution. 2019.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Persian Book of Mormon Now Available Online. LDS.org, 2023.
No comments:
Post a Comment