Being a missionary in Central Europe in a few years might be a different experience than it is now - or at least some hope. Many hold great expectations for Elder L. Tom Perry as he begins his service on August 15th as an area president in Central Europe.

Robert Burt, who served in the Oslo, Norway mission, thinks Elder Perry might improve the way missionary work is done.

"Having an apostle to preside over the area and assist the mission presidents will give the missionary work a shot in the arm," said Burt, a 26-year-old senior from Carson City, Nev., majoring in history.

According to the Liahona, Perry will preside over a handful of countries, such as Poland, Germany, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, parts of Iran, and the Scandinavian countries. Elder Perry will be accompanied by counselors Elder Bruce C. Hafen and Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Quorum of the Seventy.

Burt hopes Elder Perry's work will help inspire the missionary work and the missionaries in these areas. During the time Burt served in Norway in an area with 4,500 members, only 110 people were baptized.

Burt explained some of the factors that may contribute to Europeans' feelings about religion.

"A lot of the countries there are highly developed countries," Burt said. "They're advanced countries. They get a lot of philosophy. A lot of people there feel like they don't necessarily need religious life."

Franziska Schulze, a 26-year-old senior from Hannover, Germany, majoring in psychology, thinks Europe has not had as many converts as it could have had.

Schulze explained she has seen many people join the church who have been an addition to the church, understood the gospel and gone on to serve missions.

"The attitude is that in Europe they already have their religion," Schulze said. "They're rich, developed, immoral - there are not people [interested in the gospel there]. Obviously there are still people. Obviously there are people who care, but I don't think we know how to get to them."

Schulze said Elder Perry could help redirect the members and missionaries. Elder Perry would be able to travel around and speak to the members and discern where the members are at spiritually.

Elder Perry's travels around the area might also give many Europeans their first opportunity to meet an apostle. Burt said while he was serving his mission, it had been 5 years since an apostle had been in the area.

"The members will benefit greatly by having an apostle in the area that will go to stake conferences and to area conferences," Burt said. "The people can actually see an apostle and get instruction."

Schulze wasn't sure exactly what Elder Perry will do in his service, but she expressed hopes for change.

"I have lots of expectations," Schulze said. "Hopefully I'm not going to be disappointed."



Copyright Brigham Young University 9 Jul 2004