Blessings of Apostles visit

Blessings of Apostles visit

Elder Holland said during his trip to Asia from 19 Feb to 2 Mar, “It is a wonderful time for the Church in Asia”

“The Spirit of the Lord is moving over this vast area,” he said. “It would be undeniable, it would be impossible not to grasp, not to feel that there is a great work unfolding here.”

The Church in Asia is doing wonderfully well, Elder Holland reported. “It is very different in each of these locations—different circumstances, different relationships, and different history—but all of them are doing well.”

Elder Holland reported that there is a hastening of the work in Asia. “We will live to see miracles there—as we see them now. Our children and our children’s children will be as comfortable talking about the Church in Asia as they have historically been talking about it in Utah and Idaho and Arizona.”

Miracles – yes! Elder Holland said “we will live to see miracles.  We would like to share two miracles in the Asia Area that has happened recently.

Church receives recognition in Vietnam

Church receives recognition in Vietnam

The Vietnamese government has officially recognized what is known as the Interim Representative Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vietnam. This Interim Representative Committee consists of three Vietnamese Church leaders (the Hanoi district president and the two Ho Chi Minh City branch presidents). Vietnam’s government has given this Interim Representative Committee nationally recognized legal standing to represent the Church in Vietnam.

In a ceremony on May 30, 2014 at the Church branch facility in Hanoi, Mr. Pham Dung, chairman of the Vietnam Government Committee for Religious Affairs, presented the official national certification to Church leaders, members, and friends. Chairman Pham Dung was joined by other members of the Committee on Religious Affairs and other Vietnam government officials.

Eni Faleomavaega, the former chairman and current ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, sent a congratulatory letter, which was read at the ceremony. It expressed appreciation to the government of Vietnam and its leaders, with whom Faleomavaega and Church officials have worked closely.

Hoang Van Tung, president of the Church’s Hanoi District and chair of the Interim Representative Committee, said after the meeting that the Church is committed to continuing to abide by the laws governing religious activity in Vietnam. He also said the Church in Vietnam would not be making further announcements of what the recognition means in specific terms for members until more details are worked out.

First Two Stakes Formed in Cambodia

First Two Stakes Formed in Cambodia

This is the second time in Church history that the first two stakes in a single country have been created on the same day.

“It is wonderful to see the growth of the Church in this land. The Lord loves us and is greatly blessing us. I know if we are obedient and have faith He will continue to bless us in Cambodia.” —President Uk Sophal of the Cambodia Phnom Penh South Stake

Twenty years ago, Phal Mao helped find a metalsmith that could build the first baptismal font for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia. On May 9, 1994, she was baptized in that newly constructed font to become the first native convert in the country. Building and growth have continued in the Church in Cambodia ever since.

On May 25, 2014, Cambodia reached a major milestone with the creation of the Cambodia Phnom Penh North Stake and Cambodia Phnom Penh South Stake, the first stakes in Cambodia. This is only the second time in Church history that the first two stakes in a single country have been created on the same day.

“It is wonderful to see the growth of the Church in this land,” said President Uk Sophal, the new stake president of the Cambodia Phnom Penh South Stake. “The Lord loves us and is greatly blessing us. I know if we are obedient and have faith He will continue to bless us in Cambodia.”

“The gospel of Jesus Christ brings additional light and truth into the lives of all those who listen to and receive it—blessing not only individuals but also the communities in which they live,” said David C. Moon, president of the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission. Four of the five former Cambodia mission presidents and their wives were also present for this historic occasion.