North American LDS Missionaries Leave Bolivia as Precaution

Posted: Sep 16, 2008 12:34 PM MDT

Updated: Sep 16, 2008 03:35 PM MDT

By Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Some 102 North American missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Bolivia have been transferred to missions outside the country.

The transfer was taken in consultation with US government representatives in Bolivia and with the cooperation of Bolivian immigration authorities as a precautionary measure during the present unsettled conditions there.

The Church used commercial and charter flights to transfer most of the missionaries. Evacuation of the missionaries began last weekend and was completed by Monday night.

All of the transferred missionaries will serve for the time being in Peru. The Church expects them to return when conditions become more settled.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has good relationships with the Bolivian government, and has a significant humanitarian aid program in the country. Recently, 1,000 wheelchairs were delivered to Bolivia as a part of that humanitarian effort.