Blog 10

Mary-Catherine Zachary

PL SC 150

Hawkins

Blog 10

            Globalization is something that has been happening since the beginning of the world and has a huge effect on it. There are many different arguments as to whether or not it is a good thing. Most people don’t know exactly what globalization is. Globalization, according to my Comparative Politics textbook, is the spread of political, economic, and cultural dynamics among governments, groups, and individuals beyond the borders of any one particular country. However, in my Comparative Government and Politics class, my professor defined it as the point when a market becomes a single market, through aspects of supply and aspects of demand. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets. So basically, globalization is when many different countries come together and create one major market in which each country is involved.

            The LDS church has grown from 1, 541 wards and branches across the world in 1950, to 25, 791 in 2000. As the LDS church rapidly spreads across the world, we must ask the question—what affect does globalization have on this increase in LDS members around the world? Well, globalization is certainly a good thing for the LDS church. Not only do nations connect economically through globalization, but also as they do so, they open up more opportunity for these nations to open up to each other socially. When this happens, Mormon missionaries are more able and likely to be able to serve in certain countries. In Brazil in 2002, there were 842,296 members in Brazil, and in 2005 there were 928,926 members. As the economic ties between Brazil and the United States were strengthened, missionary work also was benefitted.

            So, clearly, globalization is a positive thing for the LDS church. As long as countries keep banding together economically, they will develop other ties and the Mormon religion will continue to be spread around the world. There are many countries, China, for example, that have a long way to go before they allow missionaries to enter their country, but as long as the U.S. keeps a good, strong relationship with them, they should come around after a while and the gospel will be spread to all nations, kindred, tongues, and people. Heavenly Father will prepare a way for His work to come to pass.