Duhovni utrip Narrator and Journalist: Barbara Štor,
Editor: Sašo Paukovič
Translation: Dora Glassford Cimerman, Slovenian National Director of Public Affairs, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Barbara Štor: 1 March 1991 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among people known as Mormons, was officially registered in Slovenia. Last October they celebrated 20th Anniversary of first Missionary entering Slovenia for preaching of the Gospel. To celebrate, they have published a book in which, with the help of members and missionaries' testimonies, they noted the important events with the Church in Slovenia.
Dora Glassford Cimerman:
The book describes the first steps, how the missionaries came to find accommodations, how they approached the people on the streets and started to share their faith.
Beginnings were very challenging. Yes, they did not yet have a place to live. I think it was quite hard, but with prayer and help from above they were successful. This is a good document for future generations. Our testimonies and from those before us will be a valuable memory for the Church's history in Slovenia.
Štor: The book is written in Slovenian as well as in English language.
Glassford: The book was not published by the Church.The Slovenian members have done it themselves.
Štor: The Church of Jesus Christ currently has around 360 members in three units. The largest is in Ljubljana where in 2008 they built the first building. The other two branches are in Maribor and Celje.
Matjaž Juhart, Local Church Leader: Otherwise we are part of the world Church which statistically, they say, is the fastest growing Christian church in the world. Our belief is that the church is separated from the state, so the Church finances itself through our own contributuions called tithing.
Štor: Matjaž Juhart is today the President of Slovenia District and represents the Church on the national level. He is also the first missionary to serve from Slovenia.
Juhart: I had this privilage, this joy. I actually had the honor that I could serve God with my mission. At that time I served in America. So far, 13 missionaries have left Slovenia to serve missions.
Štor: And Mormon missionaries on the streets are actually one of the most recognisable characteristics of the Church. The majority of them are young men and women who, with their own financing, serve their mission from 18 to 24 months. In Slovenia, currently 14 missionaries share the Gospel. Among them are Cody Fowler and John Maynes.
Elder Cody Fowler, Mormon Missionary: In general, people have faith in prophets, especially in a few leaders. We believe in 12 apostles who also live and lead us today. As in olden days, in times of Jesus Christ, He also called 12 apostles. We believe in holy scripture, we believe in the Bible, and we believe in another book; the Book of Mormon.
Elder John Maynes, Mormon Missionary: What we often do is go on streets, or go to blocks of appartments or to houses. We talk to people about their life. We get to know them a little.We see what worries they have and what help we can offer to them as we know that this message can help each individual.
Juhart: All what we do as missionaries is invite people to come on to Christ, but the decision if they want to accept is theirs.
Štor: Missionaries thus spend the day sharing the faith, and participate in meetings and meet the people on the streets.
Elder Maynes: (to the smiling woman) We are here as missionaries of our Church, are you from around here? Maybe you have seen our church around the corner?
Woman: Yes, of course, I drive past it each day.
Elder Maynes: I see that you are quite happy now.
Woman: Yes, I am, of course.
Elder Maynes: What makes you happy in the family life?
Woman: Everything. But in general, if one is happy, that makes people around you happy, too.
Elder Fowler: We have one book for you. One Book of Mormon. Have ever read it? Can we meet ?
Štor: Sometimes their efforts are unsuccessful:
Elder Maynes: Hi, can I ask you something?
A woman's voice: No, you can not.
Elder Maynes: Aha! OK then, have a nice time!
Štor: Another time they bear fruit.
Elder Maynes: Can I give you a card?
Young man: Yes, you can.
Elder Maynes: OK. Let me find it (Laughing). Or maybe you would prefer a receipt?
Young man: (laughing) Thank you. I will save it.
Eler Maynes: It was a pleasure.
Young man: Maybe you have convinced me!
First Woman: Maybe we'll see inside of the church. I feel this would be great.
Elder Fowler: OK, of course. We'll contact you.
Woman: OK, we will meet each other.
Elder Fowler: Super
Štor: (asking older man) What do you think when you see a couple of young men like this?
Older man 1: I think of Mormons.
Štor: Why? Why is this your first association?
Older man 1: Because I know they are Mormons.
Štor: Do you think this is a faith that is known to Slovenes?
Older man 2: I think that not too well.
Štor: Do you think it is widespread in Slovenia?
Older man 2: I do not know what to say. I think it is not too widespread.
Štor: What do you think is their work?
Married Couple: (wife) I don't know.
Married Couple: (Husband) reads the name of Elder Fowler.
Štor: Have you ever listened to their belief?
Older man 3: No.
Older man 2: Yes, I have often listened to them so I have found out quite a bit.
Štor: Do you know anything about this faith:
Older man 3: Yeah, not much. To be truthful, nearly nothing actually.
Štor: But the missionaries are still quite successful in their work. Around the world in the last five years they have converted and baptized as many as 1.3 million people!
View the program (in Slovene)
About Duhovni utrip (Spiritual beat):
Duhovni utrip (Spiritual beat) shows and discusses universal religious themes. The program explores interesting news and events on 43 religions registered with the Office for Religious Communities of the Republic of Slovenia. Each segment strives to capture the attitudes and social themes of the featured religions.