HEADLINE and photo caption:
Sister Catherine Chauncey - A student of creative writing, and Sister Adreann Peel –a future teacher
( this was translated by Google Translate, so there are some akward phrases, however it’s just fun to read)
Surely you've already seen in our city. Always walking on the street in pairs, two young men or two women.
Because of its conservative clothing, especially women's protracted skirts, old-fashioned sweaters and blouses, once worn by our grandmothers, often people consider them nuns or Jehovah's Witnesses. But they are Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a religion that originated in the 19th century in the United States and now has 15 million followers worldwide.
We met these days, two lovely young American, Mormon missionaries in Croatia, sisters Catherine and Chauncey Adreann Peel. Of course, they were not born sisters, it's a title that carries every Mormon while serving in missions. Male missionaries are called elders. Both are translations of the English title "sister" and "elder".
Sister Chauncey is originally from San Diego, California. In her private life, she is a student of creative writing at Brigham Young University in Provo, the third largest city in Utah. This American state was founded by Mormons and just there today are the absolute majority. Sister Peel is a future teacher and a student at Logan on Utaškom State University (Utah State University). Both are a year and a half interrupted his studies to the world to spread the faith founded by legendary American religious visionary Joseph Smith, whom Mormons consider a prophet.
Until the arrival of the Sisters of Peel and Chauncey had never before been abroad. In our country, these young girls have never before even heard until they receive a special missionary package. With a letter saying where they come from, mandatory map. After a two-month course of Croatian language, armed with the Book of Mormon, the Bible and missionary textbook, sisters Peel and Chauncey were sent to Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the missionary field that Mormons call Adriatic North Mission.
Missionary work is not easy. Far from home, should promote Mormonism and strengthen the faith of the local believers, improve the local language and spiritual progress. Strict rules require a waiver of television, music and the Internet. IThey are allowed to send only one email per week, and the family can be seen and heard on Skype (or phone) only twice a year, on Christmas and Mother's Day. Mormons still shun alcohol, coffee and tea. Chocolate is, fortunately, allowed, says to us, sister Chauncey. "What food do you like best here," I ask. "Burek" they say in unison and they are two lovely girls. They say people are friendly and hospitable, adds Sister Peel.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the traditional Mormons, was founded in 1830. Due to the advocacy of polygyny (of which they later abandoned) are almost extinct in the 19th century, and their founder, Joseph Smith was lynched by a dipped in tar and feathers strewn after which he died. Save the dramatic flight across the Rocky Mountains and find their peace in the Great Salt Lake. Their country soon, called Utah, became part of the United States. Are known by the active proselytism. The first Mormon in Croatia was the famous basketball player Kresimir Cosic.