Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Vietnam

09/03/2014

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith (1805 - 1844), the first president of the Church, on 6 April 1830 in Fayette Township, New York.

It was then developed by Brigham Young who migrated with the new Mormons to Salt Lake City in 1847. The Church is called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Church of Jesus Christ, for a belief in a restoration of the Church as conceived by Jesus. The LDS 2013 Statistical America put the number of the Church’s members world-wide at about 15 million.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) often refers to “Mormon Church" because of a belief in the Book of Mormon - a volume of holy scripture said to be a record of God’s dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel.

Mormons are strongly focused on traditional family life and values. They oppose abortion, homosesxuality, unmarried sexual acts, pornography, gambling, tobacco, consuming alcohol, tea, coffee, and the use of drugs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints used to advocate polygamy. However, this was discontinued over a century ago and the Church excommunicates anyone who practices it.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was brought into Vietnam from 1962, and was granted registration for activities in 1967 by former South Vietnam government. In 1975 there were about 1000 Mormon followers in Vietnam. After 1975, like other Christian denominations, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vietnam temporarily ceased to operate organizationally; most of its members migrated to other countries; and those staying in the country practiced the religion at home.

In 1995, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revived its activities in Vietnam, with two local groupings were formed in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In 1911, these two groups formed a body as the Vietnam district under the Asian region of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Mr. Hoàng Văn Tùng as its chairman. Currently the Church has nearly 1,000 followers in Vietnam, mostly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.  

Implementing the Ordinance on Belief and Religion 2004, the Interim Representative Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints   Vietnam was officially recognized by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs’ Decision No. 132/QĐ – TGCP dated on May, 30 2014. The Interim Representative Committee consists of three members with Mr. Hoàng Văn Tùng as its Chairman, and locates its office at No 2, Quarter 6, Trung Yen Street, Cau Giay district, Hanoi Capital. The recognition of the Interim Representative Committee of the Vietnam Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints is an initial and basic step for the State of Vietnam to consider and grant the operation registration certificate and the organizational recognition when meeting sufficient conditions as prescribed by the existing law provisions. 

The Decision on official recognition of the Interim Representative Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints Vietnam

B.N.