American Consulate, Hermosillo October 17, 1988 Elder John Lasater European Area Presidency Frankfurt, GErmany Dear Elder Lasater: AS you'll know from my last letter, old friends are pleased at your new calling. And I can imagine that you and your wife are pleased with your posting to familiar territory. I'm writing at the suggesting of Albert Allred, just released as Assistant to the President of the Spain, Seville Mission. We are old friend of Albert's parents and just returned from three weeks traveling around Spain with them. When I was in the French (Servicemens's) District Presidency some years ago, and you were President of the Laon Branch, our District Presidency was responsible for Church members in Morocco. Later still in the Spain District Presidency, while serving at the Embassy in Madrid, I found that this responsibility had been transferred to the Spain Presidency. Yet later still, I found my self posted to the Embassy in Morocco, where I served as Branch President in Kenitra, with our two or three local members in addition to our Embassy and Serviceman members. So I have some firsthand experience with Morocco and have been following Church progress there for almost thirty years. When I returned from Morocco, Elder Howeard W. Hunter asked me to report to him. I'd met Elder Hunter and President Hinckely when they visited Spain at the invitation of our District Presidency, to call on Spanish Cabinet members, local Protestant leaders, and the U.S. Ambassador to decide how to react to the new Religious Liberty Law. They were impressed with the government's apparent sincerity anddecided to go ahead, authorizing organization of the a local branch and registration of the Church. As President of the first indigenous (i.e. non-Serviceman) branch, I had the privilege of signing the registration petition. We were the first non-CAtholic Church legally recognized in Spain. During the time I was in Morocco, President Kimball was asking Church members to seek every method for opening doors in nations where the Gospel had not yet been preached. Resident couples were being sent to a number of African nations. Morocco, as other Moslem countries, does not permit Christian activities within its borders. In Morocco, however, unlike elsewhere in the Islamic world, an exception has been made for the Catholic and several Protestant churches which were active during the era of the French Protectorate -- both as a token of King Hassan's enlightenment and to avoid offending Western nations Morocco depends upon for economic assistance and trade. By now, of course, the Church was going strong in Spain. What had been one local branch (plus a dependent Sunday School in Barcelona) had become a Mission with sixteen branches (now, I understand, four missions and half a dozen stakes). So, while reporting to Elder Hunter, I suggested, based on my experience, that it appeared to me the best method for getting the Church into Morocco would be for the Spain, Seville Mission to open a branch in Ceuta and/or Melilla, Spanish political enclaves on the Mediterranean Coast of Morocco. As things go in this world, nothing is surer that at some not too distant point in time, these enclaves will revert to Morocco (indeed this is a point of Moroccan political strategy). I was pleased to learn that under President Pratt's predecessor, this action had been taken and that there are presently missionaries in Ceuta. Elder Allred told me, however, that President Pratt, because of slow proselyting success, shortly planned to withdraw these four elders. Certainly from the standpoint of proselyting efficiency one can understand this decision. But I think from the longer run standpoint of opening the door to a nation where it is now impossible for the Church to operate, this decision might merit review. If not four missionaries, perhaps an older missionary couple. And if not for the duration of their entire mission, perhaps on rotation every three months or so with another older missionary couple, just friendshipping, establishing a presence, and opening the door for future developments. It took fully twenty years from the arrival of the first LDS Servicemen in Spain following the Status of Forces Treaty, until the organization of the first indigenous branch -- which has now blossomed into four missions and several stakes. It would be a pity, having made a start, not to have the patience to wait for the evolution of events in Morocco. Morocco is perhaps the most open and Western-oriented among the Arab states. The King is proud of the historic religious tolerance of the Moors during their occupation of Spain. It is the only Arab country with a substantial Jewish minority. Jews occupy several high, if not notably visible, positions in the Moroccan civil service. And while it will take time, it seems to me the most likely Arab state in which the LDS Church might establish a foothold. The publishers of Time/Life used Morocco as their first stop and major briefing point when they brought a group of fifty top U.S. business executives to Egypt, Syria, and other Arab capitals a few years ago to prepare them for a shift in Time's editorial policy towards Israel and the Arabs. And during their shuttle trips between Israel and Arab leaders, both Secretary Kissinger and Secretary Shultz used the good offices of King Hassan to bring them up to scratch on current Arab thinking, as well as to supply tactical ideas. If the Church is to have any chance of entering the Arab world prior to the Millennium, I think our strategy should look towards working from a foothold in Morocco. And I remain convinced that Ceuta, Melilla, and the Penon de Alhucemas are our entry points. Having reviewed the background, I leave it to you and the Area Presidency to reflect on the pros and cons of immediate proselyting efficiency vs. longer term strategy. With all best wishes, Sincerely,