Church in Cambodia Celebrates 30 Years of Heritage, Growth and Faith

In a landmark event on October 26, 2024, nearly 3000 members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints united at the Koh Pich Conference Hall in Phnom Penh to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Church’s establishment in Cambodia. The occasion marked another significant milestone following Church President Russell M. Nelson’s announcement of the location for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple during his visit to the country in 2019.  

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President Veasna Kuonno Neang, the first native Cambodian called to serve as a mission president from 2021 to 2024, conducted the proceedings, with Asia Area President Elder Benjamin Tai presiding over the meeting. His Excellency Chhat Sochhet, the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Cults and Religion, graced the event with more than 30 government officials in attendance. He gave a speech highlighting the importance of unity among various faiths and graciously expressed gratitude to the Church on behalf of the government of Cambodia for its contribution to the country’s development.

Elder Bun Huoch Eng, the first native Area Seventy, shared his testimony of God’s love for the saints in Cambodia, exemplified by gifting them a temple in their own country. He said, “I can tell that God loves Cambodia and its people very much. God knows that we have gone through many problems in our history, that is why the Lord provides a temple to our country, even though the Church in Cambodia is only 30 years old.”

“We have a temple here not by accident,” he continued. “It happened because of the hard work, faithfulness and humble hearts of our leaders, members and the people of Cambodia.” Elder Eng also encouraged all members to prepare themselves to go the temple so that they might find peace, inspiration and rest for their souls in the house of the Lord.

The celebration featured young single adults and youth from across the nation performing stunning dances to honor their cultural heritage and ancestors. Mean Bros Piseth, a 19-year-old recent Church convert who attended the celebration said, “I felt so proud to be Khmer as I saw traditional Khmer dance and so proud to be a member of the Church that had all these wonderful and beautiful people. And I learned that God had planned all of this for us and to help others have peace and happiness.”

The vibrant showcase of talents of the emerging Church generation was a delight for all present, but it was particularly heartening for the older generation of Cambodian Latter-day Saints, who found immense joy in the youth’s deep reverence for their roots, history, and most importantly, their devotion to their Savior – an effort evidenced by their months of dedicated practice.

A screening of a documentary depicting the history of the Church in Cambodia evoked strong emotions among the audience. From the first baptism to the construction of their first temple, each event underscored pivotal milestones in the Church’s journey.

Sengkheang Sok Jones from Ta Khmau 2nd Branch said, “When I saw the pictures of the first member who got baptized it made me want to cry because of how grateful I felt for her and all her sacrifices.”

As the event progressed, pioneer members who were baptized in the Church’s early days from 1993 to 1999 were acknowledged. Through great personal sacrifice, they laid a strong foundation of the Church in the nation.

Sophal Mao Wright, the first person to join the Church in Cambodia, recorded a video message of her testimony of God’s work in the country, “It wasn’t a coincidence that I was led to this Church. It isn’t a coincidence that any of you were either.”

The congregation was moved as they joined in singing the hymn “How Firm a Foundation”, before Elder Tai concluded the event with his testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ and God’s love for the Cambodian people.

“As we celebrate the 30^th anniversary, please take this time to think of how we have achieved this day,” Elder Tai said. “In the Bible, we are taught that is the last day and that God had sent the prophet Elijah to turn the hearts of the children towards their fathers and fathers to their children. If we look in a different way, He would plant into the heart of the children the promises made to their fathers. In today’s performance, our youth honored their wonderful heritage and their beautiful culture to remember their ancestors.”

Latter-day Saints in Cambodia see their 30th anniversary as a fulfillment of scripture that the Lord’s people shall be gathered, and be set up as “an ensign to the nations”. Many prayers from faithful members and missionaries are being answered as the membership in Cambodia ever increases, and the work of the Lord continues to move forward.