The Growing Church in Mongolia — Now part of the Asia North Area

“Сайн байна уу!(Sain baina uu)” is “Hello!” in Mongolian. This greeting is going to be more familiar to the saints in the Asia North Area, including Korea, Japan, and Guam, as Mongolia will belong to the Asia North Area, beginning August 1, 2019.

On June 28th, the presidencies of the Asia North Area and the Asia Area sent an official letter to all priesthood leaders declaring the realignment of the area boundaries in regard to Mongolia. The purpose of this change is “to unite Mongolia with the other parts of Asia North, allowing greater support for the growing Church in Mongolia”[1]

The growing Church in Mongolia

The Church in Mongolia is relatively young. In the early 1990’s, political and economic reform in the country brought religious freedom, and in 1992 six missionary couples arrived in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. They supported the country’s higher education program and introduced the Church to its people. In July 1995, the first mission was organized in Mongolia, and the first meetinghouse was dedicated in June 1999.[2]

In May 2011, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve visited Ulaanbaatar and met with government officials, missionaries and Church members. In his meeting with some 100 missionaries in the Ulaanbaatar mission, Elder Holland gave an inspired message, saying, “The answer to every problem in life, whatever the question … is the Atonement of Jesus Christ—the doctrine of Christ, the gospel of Christ. If you believe that, you will change … your history, you will change Mongolia’s history, and you will change the world’s history.” In a special stake conference, Elder Holland exhorted the priesthood holders to “step up to their priesthood responsibilities and promised that as they do, the power of the priesthood will change the country.”[3]

Today there is one Mission, with two Stakes, one District and 24 Wards or Branches and about 12,000 members throughout Mongolia.[4] The population of Mongolia is approximately 3,100,000 and it has been increasing at a relatively high rate because of a high fertility rate of over 2.5 births per woman. Just like the inspired promise of Elder Holland, the Church in Mongolia is continuing its growth amid the changes in their society.

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi and his wife meet with the rising generation of Mongolia

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, the president of the Asia North Area and his wife, Sister Bon Kyung [Ku] Choi, visited Mongolia on Wednesday, July 3rd. Upon their arrival, Elder and Sister Choi first met with the rising generation, the youth of Mongolia. From the airport, the Chois traveled two hours by car to the International Children's Center (ICC) campsite where the For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conference was being held. Elder and Sister Choi spoke to the young people gathered there, spent time with them, expressed their love for them, and ministered unto them throughout their stay.

The Mongolian youth welcomed Elder and Sister Choi and expressed their gratitude. Yesui, a young woman participating the FSY from Sansar Ward wrote to Elder and Sister Choi with her heartfelt gratitude.

“Hello. My name is Yesui. I’m from Sansar Ward. I wanted to say thank you for coming all the way here to deliver the love to us, and for giving us a great talk.” Beginning with this message, Yesui continued with her gratitude, desire, and commitment for the Temple. As there is no Temple yet in Mongolia, the Mongolian saints need to travel to other countries to receive temple ordinances. Yesui and her family had visited the Tokyo Temple in Japan to be sealed as an eternal family.

“My family was sealed in the Tokyo Temple. It was one of my favorite experiences of my life. I want my fellow Mongolians to have that chance to feel the love of God in the Temple. You said you are going to work very hard to help build a Temple in Mongolia. And you also said that we are far better than you. So, if we really are faster and smarter than you, then we have got to work EVEN HARDER than you.

“I just wanted to let you know that we learned so much and we now have great motivation from you. I promise us-teenagers will do whatever it takes and we will work harder than ever. And I know you will help us and God will help us always.”[5]

The faith and loyalty of the Mongolian saints has become a new source of inspiration and example to the saints in the other countries of the Asia North Area. Through the sacrifice and devotion of the Mongolian saints creating their own Church history, the members in other countries are reminded of their own pioneers and are encouraged to renew their commitments.

The Church in Mongolia is now part of the Asia North Area family, and we will press forward together in spiritual harmony. Along with its geographic expansion, we look forward to an increase in spiritual unity of the saints in the Asia North Area.

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