Church of Nephi Faces Change Despite Growth

ETHER (WRI) - While conditions in the Moroniac Republic of Nephi seem to grow worse by the day, and now another community of Nephites has found itself caught in the crossfire of yet another conflict in Tyryte, the Church of Nephi continues its plans for a Wysteria-wide conference of believers in New Felix.

"This is something we have to do," said Church of Nephi President Dallas Dormanian. "As Nephitism grows more and more widespread, it was inevitable that eventually we would have to regroup and try to figure out our place in the world."

More than 2 billion Wysterians are members of the often controversial faith, and they're spread from one end of the region to the other.

That's lead to a number of differences of opinion on basic matters of doctrine, according to J.P. Abitabha, the Kamadhati author of "End of Days", the best selling book detailing the history of Nephia up to its recent civil war.

"Ironically," said Abitabha, "it wasn't proselytizing that promoted the growth of the religion as much as it was its rather tragic diaspora. As Nephians fled the conflict in their own country, they took their religion with them, and in addition to establishing their own communities around Wysteria, have begun to find converts in the countries in which they've settled."

But by settling among so many different cultures, Nephitism is undergoing some profound changes, according to Alex DuMont, who describes himself as "a cultural Nephite."

DuMont, who fled the Nephian civil war for a new life in Galicia-Volhynia where he teaches comparative religions at Elizabeth Regina University, said it was inevitable that Nephitism would begin to show the strain from such sudden growth.

"For years, the Church sent thousands of missionaries abroad in an attempt to convert the Gentiles," said DuMont, "but because of their poor communication and even worse efforts to understand the cultures they were reaching out to, they failed miserably."

It was the diaspora that has done more to introduce the teachings of the faith to other Wysterians who have been able to mingle with Nephites as neighbors in their own communities rather than encountering them as missionaries.

"The clean living is really what appealed to me," said Janice Gateway of New Felix, New Felix. "I got to know a number of Nephites who had settled in the country during the civil war back in Nephia, and I was impressed with how solid their families seemed to be, and how strong their commitment to their faith was."

But despite the appeal of Nephitism's wholesome lifestyle - Nephites eschew alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, pork, and a variety of other "unclean sundries" - change is creeping into the religion as it settles into new countries.

One of the first major changes occurred in Kamadhatu where refugees founded the Reformed Church of Nephi in Kamadhatu. In a landmark meeting organized by elders shortly after they arrived in Kamadhatu, refugee Nephites adopted new policies calling for the equality of women, and an end to such practices as the death penalty for people guilty of such crimes as adultery, divorce, and homosexuality.

Not that practices have found a warm welcome in the church anywhere in Wysteria, but the way Nephites now handle them is dramatically different.

"We call on those who have lapsed into these sins to meet with counselors and seek the help of the Father," said James Child, an elder in New Helaman, Cumorrah. "We believe that with faith, and strong effort, anyone can overcome sin with the love of the Father."

Perhaps the most dramatic issue to confront the church, however, has been the division of Nephia - the Nephite promised land - into two opposing camps. In the Moroniac Republic of Nephi, which split off from Nephia during the civil war, the president of that country, Horatio Concord, has declared himself the prophet, a role Nephites see as vital to their relationship with God.

Few outside the MRN recognized Concord's claim, however, and recently, Nephites believe another man - a potato farmer from southern Nephia - has been anointed by God as their new prophet.

In fact, it was Darius Mahler - the Church's new prophet - who announced plans for the world wide conference.

"Our plan isn't to make everyone tow the line," said Dormanian from his office in Ether. "But we do need to communicate with one another, and meet face to face, so that we can continue our mission to live in covenant with the Father in understanding of the most basic tenets of our faith."

More than 15,000 people are expected to gather in New Felix for the event.