Latter Day Saints

“Have you ever heard of a river flowing backward?” I ask, gesturing towards the bustling streets of Siem Reap. The Tonle Sap River, just like the lives of many Latter-day Saints here, has known a dramatic change of course. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Siem Reap is a testament to the power of faith and resilience. Many Cambodian members, like Loy Bunseak, the president of the Siem Reap Branch, endured unimaginable hardships during the political turmoil of the 1970s. Forced from his home at the age of nine, young Loy toiled in labor camps, losing his parents and five siblings. Yet, even amidst such despair, hope flickered within him. That same hope led him to the missionaries and the restored gospel. In 2001, Loy and his family were baptized, finding solace and direction in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took root in Cambodia in 1994, with the first branch organized right here in Phnom Penh. It was a beacon of light for a nation emerging from darkness. The Latter Day Saints community in Siem Reap isn’t just a religious group. It’s a family, bound by shared faith and experiences. Many members have powerful stories of survival and conversion. President Khan Sarin, for example, survived near-death experiences in the army, realizing later that it was his faith, not tattoos, that protected him. Pich Sareth and his wife, Seng Tha, both separated from their families at a young age, found comfort in prayer and the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has offered these families, and many others, a new direction, a swell of joy. The gospel, like the nutrients carried by the Tonle Sap when it reverses course, nourishes the souls of the Latter-day Saints. The Pich family cherishes their daily scripture study, strengthening their testimonies and passing their faith onto their children. Loy Bunseak experienced profound joy when he and his family were sealed in the Hong Kong China Temple, further uniting them with his deceased loved ones. The Latter Day Saints in Siem Reap, despite facing trials, have emerged stronger, their faith a bedrock in their lives. Their stories are a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the enduring spirit of the Cambodian people.