Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- A new law in Switzerland could soon block foreign missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from serving in the country.
According to a report published on the Swiss news website Swiss Info, a new regulation will take full effect in 2012 that restricts work permits for foreigners from outside of the European Union. Since missionary work is considered by the Swiss government as a means of gainful employment, it is subject to the restrictions.
More than a dozen members of Congress have sent a letter to the Swiss government seeking an exception for Latter-day Saint missionaries -- who are not paid.
The Church issued a statement in response, saying in part, "We hope a solution can be found that allows missionaries, regardless of their country of origin, to continue to serve the Swiss people."