08/07/2025
LDS Church in China Faces Worship Restrictions Amid Tightening Religious Controls
In a significant development, the Chinese government has ordered the shutdown of Latter-day Saint congregations in multiple cities across the country, including the capital, Beijing. This marks a notable setback for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it seeks to maintain legal and peaceful religious practice in China.
On June 22, 2025, the Civil Affairs Bureau of Chaoyang District in Beijing publicly stated that the LDS branches—serving both Chinese nationals and expatriates—had been operating as unregistered social organizations, violating Chinese regulations. These rules require all religious and social groups to register with the state in order to legally gather.
Beijing isn't alone. Similar closures were previously enforced in other provinces, including Nanjing (Jiangsu) and Jilin, reflecting a nationwide campaign to curtail unauthorized religious gatherings—especially those connected to foreign religious organizations.
Latter-day Saints in China, particularly members of the expatriate and Chinese branches, have expressed heartbreak and confusion. While the Church has long committed to respecting Chinese law—operating under careful restrictions and never proselytizing—the tightening environment has made in-person worship nearly impossible in some areas.
In response, the expatriate branch in Beijing has shifted to online Zoom services, starting June 29, as the Church seeks new paths to adapt within the evolving legal landscape.
This disruption also raises questions about the future of the Shanghai Temple, which was announced in 2020 but remains without government approval or visible progress.
As religious policy in China grows increasingly restrictive, the LDS Church continues its delicate balance: honoring local law while supporting its scattered members. Whether through virtual worship or quiet diplomacy, it now faces one of its greatest tests in the world’s most populous country.
