On May 31, 2016, the Church was recognized officially in Vietnam. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elders Gerrit W. Gong and Gary E. Stevenson of the Seventy were present when the Church was recognized.
Elder Cook said, “On behalf of the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members here in Vietnam and across the world, we express gratitude and appreciation for the official full recognition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its Representative Committee in Vietnam”
He continued to say, “Many years ago, President Gordon B. Hinckley, accompanied by Elder Marion D. Hanks, pronounced an important blessing for Vietnam and its people. Elder Hinckley later spoke of ‘a silver thread, small, but radiant with hope,’ and ‘his certain faith’ in anticipation of this day.”
The ceremony on the 31st marks another important day in Vietnamese church history. Two years ago, local leaders were recognized by the Vietnamese government as representatives of the Church in the country, and earlier this year, the Church announced that they would open the Vietnam Hanoi mission.
This recognition will allow the Church to further organize and expand within the country.
Currently, the entire Asia Area has 1,111,204 members, 42 missions, 7 temples, and 1,968 congregations. Nearby, Cambodia has over 13,000 members; Thailand has nearly 21,000 members; Malaysia, nearly 10,000 members; and Singapore, 3,611.
Original article appeared at DeseretNews.com
