Stakes in Cambodia: What Contributes to Growth in SE Asia

The Deseret News reported on the events leading up to the formation of two stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia. The two stakes were both formed on May 25 of this year by Elder Gerrit W. Gong. 

More than 1,200 members packed into two stake centers as Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Seventy and Asia Area president, along with Elder Randy D. Funk, second counselor in the Asia Area presidency and also of the Seventy, organized the first two stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia on May 25.

On that historic occasion, Eng Bun Houch was called to be president of the Cambodia Phnom Penh North Stake and Ouk Sophal was called as president of the Cambodia Phnom Penh South Stake.

“It is wonderful to see the growth of the church in this land,” Ouk told the LDS Church News. “The Lord loves us and is greatly blessing us.”

Four of the five former Cambodia mission presidents and their wives were in attendance that day, including David and Myrna Towers, who relished the moment.

“We were excited to get word about those stakes,” said David Towers, who presided over the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission from 2003-2006. “It was a grand time, a huge celebration of the church being in Cambodia for 20 years.”

The Cambodian government granted legal recognition to the LDS Church on March 4, 1994. Since then, LDS Church membership in Cambodia has ballooned to more than 12,200 members, according to mormonnewsroom.org.

While marveling at the growth of the church in Cambodia, the Towers, former missionaries and others are sharing meaningful stories and experiences of their time in this unique country in Southeastern Asia.

Read some of the dramatic accounts that prepared the Saints for a stake at Deseret News.