A Special Sunday with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

In the history of the church in Cambodia there have been very few visits from an apostle. Today was a wonderful opportunity for all the members to hear an apostle. There was a large hall rented for the occasion with seating for 2,000 people. Most of the missionaries sat at the back of the hall to allow the members the closer seating. That allowed us to see that it filled up almost to capacity. It was wonderful to see faces from the Chaktomuk and Steung Mean Chey 3rd Wards, as well as our institute students. They all came in with love and enthusiasm for the opportunity to be taught.

We were taught by so many wonderful leaders. We heard from two Sisters who spoke, the East  and Central District Presidents, the two Stake Presidents. President and Sister Christensen bore their testimonies, followed by messages from Elder Khanikham (the Area Seventy), Elder Gong (Asia Area President), Sister Gong, and Elder Holland. As Elder Holland took the podium, he invited one other brother, Ith Vichit, to come bear his testimony. We have written about Brother Vichit a few weeks ago, but he was very instrumental in the LDS Church coming to Cambodia.

One story Elder Holland told was directed to the children and youth in the congregation. He said that when he was a child about 9 years old he had gone camping with his family. During that outing, when others were not looking, he strayed away and became lost. The longer he looked for his family and the camp, the more frightened he became. He looked to the North, the South, the East, and the West. He became hungry and thirsty, afraid and alone. Somehow, his father found him and brought him back safely to the family.

Elder Holland taught that God is our loving Heavenly Father. Without him we are lost. God loves us and He will find us. God has come to our rescue the same way his earthly father came to his rescue. He has given us prophets, temples, and teachings for gifts for us. We need to accept the gift God has given.

It is impossible to give a full report of all the wonderful teachings we received today. After the meeting with the members in Cambodia, the missionaries were blessed to have another meeting with Elder Holland, Elder Khanikham, Elder Gong, and President and Sister Christensen.