P.O. Box 3087
Laredo, TX 78044
October 17, 1988
Elder John Lasater
European Area Presidency
Postfach 500162
D-6000 Frankfurt a/m 50
Dear Elder Lasater:
Old friends are pleased at your new calling. And I can imagine that both you and your wife are pleased with your posting in familiar territory.
I'm writing at the suggestion of Albert Allred, just released as Assistant to President Pratt in the Spain, Seville Mission. We are old friends of Albert's parents and just spent three weeks with them (and him) traveling around Spain.
When I was in the French (Servicemen's) District Presidency in France some years ago (when you were President of the Laon Servicemen's Branch), we were responsible for Church members in Morocco. Later still, in the Spain District Presidency while serving at the Embassy in Madrid, I found that responsibility for Morocco had been transferred to the Spain Presidency. Yet later still, I found myself posted to the Embassy in Rabat and served as President of the Kenitra Branch. So I have first hand experience with Morocco and have been following church progress there for almost thirty years.
When I returned from Morocco, Elder Howard W. Hunter asked me to report to him. I'd met Elder Hunter and President Hinckley when they visited Spain at the invitation of our District Presidency to call on Spanish Cabinet Members, local Protestant leaders, and the US Ambassador, to decide how to react to Franco's new Religious Liberty Law. They were impressed with the government's apparent sincerity and decided to go ahead, authorizing the organization of a local branch and registration of the Church. As President of that first indigenous branch (i.e. non-Serviceman) branch, I had the privilege of signing the petition for registration. As you may know, 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 a Moslem country, does not permit Christian activities within its borders. An exception has been made, however, for the Catholic and 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 LDS 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 recommended, based on my experience, that 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, the 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 return to Morocco and be accorded the same tolerance as existing churches in the remainder of Morocco.
I was pleased to learn that under President Pratt's predecessor, this action had been taken and that there are presently four 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 point of view 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 a retired missionary couple, just friendshipping and keeping the door open for future developments. It took fully twenty years from the arrival of the first LDS Servicemen in Spain following the US 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. Spain is now a member of both NATO and the European Union, and talk is commencing about the eventual return of Gibraltar to Spanish sovereignty. And when Gibraltar returns to Spain, it will not be long until Ceuta and Melilla are returned to 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 country in which the LDS Church might establish a foothold. Certainly, the Time/Life publishers used Morocco as their first stop and major briefing point before undertaking a tour with fifty top US business leaders to Egypt, Syria, and other Arab capitals a few years ago to prepare them for a shift in Times' editorial policy towards Israel and the Arabs. And during their shuttle trips between Israel and Arab leaders, both Secretary of State 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 this 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,
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