First Presidency Welcomes Vietnamese Delegation Visiting Salt Lake City
Contributed By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News editor
![](/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2019/06/07/580-vietnamese-delegation-visits-salt-lake-city_4(1).jpg)
President Russell M. Nelson accepts a gift from Mr. Vu Chien Thang, chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs in Vietnam.
Article Highlights
- The Vietnamese delegation visited many well-known Church sites in the Salt Lake area.
- Leaders from each group expressed appreciation for religious freedom and family values.
“We have long standing cooperative relationships with the Committee on Religious Affairs and other government officials in Vietnam.” —Elder Gerrit Gong
Senior Church leaders hosted a delegation from Vietnam, headed by the Vietnamese Committee for Religious Affairs, in Salt Lake City on June 4-6.
The delegation met with the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks, and President Henry B. Eyring—and visited Welfare Square, Temple Square, the Family History library, the Provo Missionary Training Center, and Brigham Young University. The delegation participated in meetings with government, religious, and academic leaders in Utah.
“We have long standing cooperative relationships with the Committee on Religious Affairs and other government officials in Vietnam,” said Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “We appreciate those relationships continuing and deepening with the visit of this important delegation.”
The delegation included Mr. Vu Chien Thang, chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs in Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuan, director of the Department of Personnel and Organization, Ministry of Home Affairs; Mr. Nguyen Duc Vinh, director of International Relations Department; Mr. Nguyen Phong Thinh, head of General Administration-Statistic Office; Mr. Dao Huy Cuong, Protestant Department specialist.
During the meeting with the First Presidency, President Russell M. Nelson thanked the delegation for religious freedom in Vietnam and emphasized its importance, said Elder Gong. The focus on family and family values is something shared deeply by those in Vietnam and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he said.
Chairman Thang thanked Church leaders for Latter-day Saints’ desire to honor and obey the law and for their many positive contributions to society in Vietnam.
![](/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2019/06/07/620-vietnamese-delegation-visits-salt-lake-city_1.jpg)
Senior Church leaders hosted a delegation from Vietnam, headed by the Vietnamese Committee for Religious Affairs, in Salt Lake City on June 4-6. President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, met with Mr. Vu Chien Thang, chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs in Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Hu’u Tuan, director of the Department of Personnel and Organization, Ministry of Home Affairs; Mr. Nguyen Duc Vinh, director of International Relations Department; Mr. Nguyen Phong Thinh, head of General Administration-Statistic Office; and Mr. Dao Huy Cuong, Protestant Department specialist.
![](/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2019/06/07/620-vietnamese-delegation-visits-salt-lake-city_2.jpg)
Senior Church leaders hosted a delegation from Vietnam, headed by the Vietnamese Committee for Religious Affairs, in Salt Lake City on June 4-6.
![](/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2019/06/07/620-vietnamese-delegation-visits-salt-lake-city_3.jpg)
Senior Church leaders hosted a delegation from Vietnam, headed by the Vietnamese Committee for Religious Affairs, in Salt Lake City on June 4-6.
![](/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2019/06/07/620-vietnamese-delegation-visits-salt-lake-city_5.jpg)
Senior Church leaders hosted a delegation from Vietnam, headed by the Vietnamese Committee for Religious Affairs, in Salt Lake City on June 4-6.
![](/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2019/06/07/620-vietnamese-delegation-visits-salt-lake-city_6.jpg)
Senior Church leaders hosted a delegation from Vietnam, headed by the Vietnamese Committee for Religious Affairs, in Salt Lake City on June 4-6.
![](/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2019/06/07/620-vietnamese-delegation-visits-salt-lake-city_7.jpg)
Senior Church leaders hosted a delegation from Vietnam, headed by the Vietnamese Committee for Religious Affairs, in Salt Lake City on June 4-6.
![](/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2019/06/07/620-vietnamese-delegation-visits-salt-lake-city_8.jpg)
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles meets with Mr. Vu Chien Thang, chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs in Vietnam.