The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE

The State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan notified The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the registration process, which had started in the second half of 2023, was concluded successfully.

This is a significant step for the Church in the country. It provides for a body that is officially recognized by the government of Azerbaijan to act for the Church in the Baku area. The Church currently has a small group of members meeting regularly in the city.

Since 2015, the Church has developed a respectful and cordial relationship with Azerbaijan officials and religious leaders. On 30 April 2024, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had a high-level meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to discuss mutual interests including the church’s registration.

The Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, Ramin Mammadov, was also in attendance, as well as other representatives of the Church, including Elder Jack N. Gerard, second counselor in the Europe Central Area of the Church. In the meeting, President Aliyev touched on Azerbaijan’s contributions to intercultural and interfaith dialogue. He mentioned that historically, representatives from different cultures and religions in Azerbaijan have coexisted harmoniously as a unified family.

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