First Generation Of Members

As we serve here in Cambodia we are reminded over and over that the members here now are really the first generation of Church. They are the pioneers for this country who are forging the future for generations to come. They face challenges and problems that were faced by the early saints as the Church was restored.

Our Institute lesson today was about temple worship and family history, which are both a trial for them here. The nearest temples right now are either in Hong Kong or the Philippines, which are both a long distance, and the cost of attending is prohibitive. There is a temple announced for Bangkok Thailand but that is still at least four years away, and they dream of a temple here in Cambodia. We remind them that it took the early pioneers of the Church forty years to build the Salt Lake Temple. Family history is difficult for several reasons. The Khmer Rouge destroyed a lot of records, the current government does not allow access to the records that exist, and the general lack of record keeping. The Church has already recorded oral histories of some of members here, but that is only a beginning.


We had eighteen wonderful participants in our class today that need to be the future of the Church right here in Cambodia. Even with that having been said, they have a difficult road ahead of them, not unlike the early pioneers of the Church. There is the constant issue of establishing a gospel centered family. In our class today we had twelve sisters and six brethren. Unfortunately there are more worthy sisters than worthy priesthood holders in Cambodia. There have been times in the past that we have had about equal numbers of males versus females, but the dear sisters just seem to be more faithful.

It is good for us to see in some small ways the struggles that the first generation of members go through, but to also try to help them prepare for the future. We hope to make a difference in some small ways that will help smooth out the bumps that they must and will face.