The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in the country of Cambodia. The first branch was organized in Phnom Penh in 1994.[4] Since then, the church has grown to more than 16,000 members in 28 congregations. In October 2018, a temple was announced to be located in Phnom Penh.
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambodia | |
|---|---|
 (Logo in Khmer) | |
 | |
| Area | Asia |
| Members | 16,317 (2022)[1] |
| Stakes | 2 |
| Districts | 4 |
| Wards | 10 |
| Branches | 18 |
| Total Congregations[2] | 28 |
| Missions | 1 |
| Temples | 1 Under Construction |
| Family History Centers | 11[3] |
History
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 285 |
| 2001 | 3,491 |
| 2006 | 7,874 |
| 2011 | 10,999 |
| 2016 | 13,716 |
| 2019 | 15,187 |
| 2022 | 16,317 |
| Source: Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Cambodia, Windall J. Ashton[1] | |
On March 4, 1994, the LDS Church received legal recognition by the government of Cambodia. The first branch was organized later that year in Phnom Penh.[4]
Stakes and Districts
As of February 2023, the following stakes and districts existed in Cambodia:[5]
| Stake/District | Organized | Wards[6] | Branches[6] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battambang Cambodia District | 27 Jun 2010 | 3 | |
| Kampong Cham Cambodia District | 19 Jun 2005 | 4 | |
| Phnom Penh Cambodia East District | 26 Feb 2012 | 6 | |
| Phnom Penh Cambodia North Stake | 28 Nov 1995 | 5 | 1 |
| Phnom Penh Cambodia South Stake | 1 Dec 2002 | 5 | 1 |
| Siem Reap Cambodia District | 22 Feb 2015 | 2 |
All congregations in a district are considered branches, regardless of size (wards only exist in stakes). The Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission Branch is not part of a stake or district, and serves individuals and families not in proximity to a church meetinghouse.
Missions
When the Church was introduced in 1994, Cambodia was part of the Thailand Bangkok Mission. This mission was divided in July 1998 to form the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission.[7] This mission initially also included Vietnam until the mission was divided again to create the Vietnam Hanoi Mission in July 2016.The Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission mission boundaries is the same as the country's boundaries. The mission office is located in a meetinghouse at Building 2B Street 222 in Phnom Penh.
Temples
Cambodia was part of the Hong Kong China Temple district until the completion of the Bangkok Thailand Temple in 2023. The Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple was announced on October 7, 2018, by Church President Russell M. Nelson. Groundbreaking was held September 18, 2021.[8][9]
 |
| edit | |
| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Size: | Phnom Penh, Cambodia 7 October 2018 by Russell M. Nelson[10][11] 18 September 2021 by Veasna Kuonno Neang 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) on a 3.16-acre (1.28 ha) site | ||
See also
References
External links
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Cambodia) - Official Site
- LDS Church - Cambodia Newsroom
- ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site
- Not so easy being a Mormon - The Phnom Penh Post