The Salt Lake Tribune just concluded a special three-part series on the challenges Western faiths, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, face in Russia — a nation dominated by the Russian Orthodox Church.

One of the biggest — if not the biggest — obstacles is the government’s ban on public proselytizing by these so-called outsider religions.

David Stewart, an independent demographer who served a mission in St. Petersburg and co-founded The Cumorah Project, which tracks Latter-day Saint growth around the world, discusses the status of Mormonism in Russia on this week’s podcast.

Listen here:

(Photo courtesy of David Stewart) David Stewart, center, with President and Sister Creel upon his arrival to the Russia St. Petersburg Mission in 1992.

Check out The Tribune’s series, too:

• Part 1 explains what Western faiths are up against in Russia.

Article continues below

• Part 2 explores the future of Mormonism there.