Vietnam Grants Official Recognition to LDS Church

Brandon Young June 3, 2016 Church

During a historic ceremony on May 31, government leaders in Vietnam granted official recognition to the Church in Vietnam.

“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,” said Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the recognition event held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 31.

The historic event was attended by Mr. Bui Thanh Ha, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs; Honorable Le Ba Trinh, Vice President of the Fatherland Front; and other distinguished officials and friends of the Church. In addition to Elder Cook, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Presidency of the Seventy represented the Church at the event.

Elder Cook said Latter-day Saints “rejoice that ‘an effectual door has been opened’ (Doctrine and Covenants 112:19) for religious activities of the Latter-day Saint believers in Vietnam, under the laws of Vietnam.”

“Many years ago, then-Elder 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,” Elder Cook said.

The decision for “the recognition for the Representative Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Vietnam,” follows other recent milestones for the Church in the country.

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