President Porter Visits National Children’s Hospitals During Asia Ministry

Primary General President Susan H. Porter made her first visit to Asia in late May 2025 on a ministry trip to six locations, especially in growing communities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A highlight of her visit was to the National Pediatric Hospital and National Maternal and Child Health Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to witness the impact of their humanitarian collaborations with the Church.

National Hospital Visits

Accompanied by Asia Area President Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai and his wife, Naomi, President Porter was received by Hospital Director Dr. Nhip Angkeabos and his team on May 29, 2025. They were briefed on the history and development of the hospital as well as its needs, and taken on a tour of the surgical department, which the Church had contributed to.

Dr. Nhip said, “The collaboration between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the National Pediatric Hospital has been ongoing for five years. The Church has provided some equipment for the surgeons. This has enabled the National Pediatric Hospital to develop both technically and in terms of the services it offers to our children…for efficient and high quality care.”

President Porter visited the National Maternal and Child Health Center, which has collaborated with the Church since 2022. Deputy Director Ngeth Titya led the group that welcomed President Porter and also took her around their facilities to meet patients and witness the day-to-day improvements in their lives.

“The Center and the Church have similar aims…to make patients happy and treat them equally, which is why we are working together to increase the quality of treatment services here,” said Dr. Ngeth. “Not only modern equipment, but we have also gotten training from volunteer doctors from the [Church], in a variety of specialties.” These enhanced capabilities resulted in the Center achieving a 94% customer satisfaction rating in a recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Health.

Primary Service Projects

At the hospital, President Porter handed over a donation of 200 stationery kits specially packed the day before by local Latter-day Saint children. Similar kits were prepared by the Primary children from the Udorn Thailand District for the Udon Thani Home for Girls, and the Taichung Taiwan East Stake for the Shifang Social Welfare Charity Foundation. These efforts were in response to the Primary’s 2025 initiative to organize annual service projects that help children serve other children.

“Children’s hearts are touched when they think about children who have needs and know that they can make a difference,” said President Porter. “I want to help everybody at the hospital to make them happy,” said eight-year-old Phady Riyanuth from the Phnom Penh Cambodia East District. Her friend Ret Nemanrtey, also aged eight, added, “I felt good since I was able to do this good deed for them, and I hope they are also delighted.”

As President Porter handed out individual donated bags at the Udon Thani Home for Girls, she made sure to look into each young recipient’s eyes and “just hope by that few seconds of looking in their eyes that they would feel loved and known by God.” “We serve out of love for God, and we serve because we love His children,” she said.

Ministering to Members

That same gaze was felt by members alike as many said they sensed her love for them. As she gave messages about joyful service, heartfelt prayer, and temple blessings, President Porter told them, “One thing I feel is very special about each of you, is I feel joy from you. That is a beautiful spiritual gift.”

In Thailand, President Porter also ministered to Burmese members living in Bangkok during a Family Home Evening gathering. Aung Thu Kyaw from Myanmar who attends the Bangkok Thailand West Stake recounted, “After the meeting, I felt that even though we're in a foreign country, Thailand, I'm not alone. I have friends and family members here, and they are increasing in my life.”

In Laos, the country’s only branch in Vientiane emptied out of the meetinghouse to line the path of President Porter’s vehicle as it departed, waving goodbye to her. The group included members of the branch’s four-generation Inthavong family, who embraced new members as their own, resulting in a nearly 100% member retention rate. 

“I had high expectations because I really wanted to see her in person,” said branch member Voutthisack Sirisouk, aged 19. “She talked about her school life, where she was the only member, which was very difficult…That meant a lot to me because I, too, am the only member at my school…I used to be an inactive member, often tempted in many ways…But after hearing her speak, I felt that I should also try harder because I am a child of God.”

In Cambodia, 16-year-old Pon Sopanha from the Siem Reap Cambodia District said, “When I listened to her teaching, I started to change my thoughts. Before, I didn't understand the importance of prayer or how prayer helps us. But from what I learned of her, I came to know that when we pray, we should ask God earnestly and sincerely.”

And in Taiwan, President Porter invited members across three Taichung Stakes to put God first and look for His hand in their lives. During a surprise visit, she also encouraged young single adults (YSA) at the closing of the 2025 Taiwan National YSA Conference to go to the temple frequently to seek God’s priesthood power to strengthen them.

A Godly Impact

President Porter emphasized that temples being built is “a signal that God knows how faithful these members are and that they will be the instrument in bringing many more to the Gospel.” She also spoke of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple being built directly across the street from the National Pediatric Hospital and assured the staff of an invitation to the open house.

Over the nine-day trip, President Porter participated in three Primary Devotionals; three Member Devotionals; three Sister Leaders’ trainings which covered Primary, Young Women and Relief Society; and three Primary visits or leader focus groups.

President Porter shared, “I hope the members in the Asia Area spread all over know that God is mindful of them. They may feel that there are very few members in their country, maybe they're the only member at school or at work. But God knows them, He loves them, and they have a very important work to do for him…They’re children of the covenant…and they can bring to pass great and marvelous things.”