Church Celebrates as Official Certificate Authorizing Members to Conduct Religious Activities in Vietnam Is Presented
Contributed By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News editor
Madam Thieu Thi Huong, director of Protestant Department of the Government Committee of Religious Affairs in Vietnam, presents an official certificate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, authorizing members to conduct religious activities in the country. The event was held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, on November 14, 2019.
Article Highlights
- The recognition is a step forward and acknowledges the contributions that the Church is making in Vietnam.
- Members are committed to continue abiding by the laws that govern religious activities in Vietnam.
“As the Church grows in Vietnam, members will continue to build faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, follow His teachings, be good citizens, obey the law, build strong families, and make society a better place.” —Elder David F. Evans of the Seventy
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HANOI, VIETNAM
A high-ranking government leader in Vietnam presented an official certificate authorizing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to conduct religious activities in the country in compliance with a new religious law established in 2018.
Madam Thieu Thi Huong of the Vietnam Government Committee for Religious Affairs presented the official certificate on November 14 and expressed appreciation to the Church and its members for their high moral conduct and contributions to building the society of Vietnam.
Nearly 150 people witnessed this historic moment at the ceremony held at the JW Marriott Hotel.
Among the attendees were interfaith leaders, dignitaries from Committee for Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam, and representatives from the U.S. embassy, as well as members and friends.
Hoang Van Tung, chairman of the new Coordinating Committee for the Church in Vietnam, said members are committed to continue abiding by the laws that govern religious activities in Vietnam.
Vietnam is a country where the presence of the Church is relatively new and growing.
Elder David F. Evans, General Authority Seventy and President of the Church’s Asia Area, accompanied by his counselor Elder David P. Homer, also a General Authority Seventy, expressed gratitude to government officials in Vietnam for granting this certification and committed “to work together in new, fresh, and wonderful ways.”
Thursday’s recognition ceremony is a “wonderful step forward and a recognition of the contributions that the Church and its members are making.”
Elder Evans said the Church and the government have worked together on many projects.
“As the Church grows in Vietnam,” Elder Evans said, “members will continue to build faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, follow His teachings, be good citizens, obey the law, build strong families, and make society a better place.”
Mr. Ngo Chi Duoc, senior lieutenant-colonel, Hanoi City Public Security, presents a congratulatory gift to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Thursday, November 14, 2019.
Elder David F. Evans, second from left, and Elder David P. Homer, left, are joined by senior leaders of the Church in Vietnam for the recognition ceremony with the government in Hanoi, Vietnam, on November 14, 2019.
A special choir of Church members sing “I Am a Child of God” at the recognition ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, on November 14, 2019.
Asia Area President Elder David F. Evans, center, greets Mr. Duong Phu Oanh, left, from the Catholic faith at the recognition ceremony on November 14, 2019, in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nearly 150 people attend the recognition ceremony at the JW Marriott Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, on November 14, 2019.
Asia Area President Elder David F. Evans and Madam Thieu Thi Huong of Vietnam CRA exchange greetings prior to the recognition ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, on November 14, 2019.
