A History of the Church in

Cambodia

Overview

When the Cambodian Civil War began in 1970, the small group of Latter-day Saints who had been holding meetings in their homes left. The war lasted more than two decades and led to widespread violence and famine. Millions of Cambodian citizens died, and thousands fled to refuge in Thailand, France, and the United States. In the United States, many Cambodian refugees met Latter-day Saints, learned the gospel, and accepted baptism. By the 1990s, more than 20 Khmer-speaking branches had been established in seven US states.

After the fighting ended and a peace agreement was reached, many Cambodian Saints returned to their homeland. In 1994, the Church began holding meetings and preaching the restored gospel in Cambodia. In September of that year, the first branch in Phnom Penh was organized. In 2000, a district was organized, with branches in Phnom Penh, Takmau, and Kampong. On May 9, 2014, the first two stakes in Cambodia were organized in Phnom Penh. In 2018, the construction of the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple was announced.

Cambodian Saints have continually reached out in love to share the gospel and offer consecrated assistance to their neighbors (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:30–31). In January 1995, local members worked with missionaries to deliver food and clothing to rural villages affected by droughts. In 2008, members and missionaries assisted the Cambodian government in hosting two interfaith symposia. Cambodian Saints have also hosted a variety of culture events, participated in Churchwide art competitions, and volunteered for service projects to encourage harmony and faith in their communities.

Quick Facts

• Official Name: Kingdom of Cambodia/ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា

• Capital: Phnom Penh

• Largest City: Phnom Penh

• Official Languages: Khmer

• Land Area: 181,035 km² (69,898 mi²)

• Church Area: Asia

• Missions: 1 (Phnom Penh)

• Congregations: 28

• Temples: 1 (Phnom Penh)