Posted on 06/10/2009 5:08:46 AM PDT by restornu
Mongolian students from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, studying at BYU-Hawaii, just received exciting news about the growth of the church in their homeland.
Through forwarded e-mails and telephone calls they found out that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have approved the creation of Mongolia’s first stake, which will take place in a matter of weeks.
Gombo Chuluun, freshman in international business management, said, “I cannot tell you how happy I was when I heard the news. Now we will have a patriarch, bishops, and wards in Mongolia and all the blessings that come with the organization of a stake. I am grateful for the gospel in my life and especially for all those faithful missionaries and members who worked so hard to have a stake.”
According to LDS Church information, membership in Mongolia is currently at 8,444, and according to ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com, about 10 percent of those members are returned missionaries. Current senior missionary in Mongolia, Elder Jackson, passed this message along to the returned missionaries:
“This is a great blessing for Mongolia; but it is also a great responsibility. The new stake and the wards in it will need strong members and especially strong leaders. Returned missionaries are trained and prepared to be called as leaders. We pray that you will be a strength in your stake and ward, or in your branch and district, and will be prepared to accept any call from the Lord…‘For Zion must increase in beauty and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.’ The Lord has blessed Mongolia greatly. Now, may each of us do our part in building up Zion in this special place.”
Ariunaa Buyantogtokh, senior in international business management, echoed this feeling, saying, “It is so exciting, this is like the next higher step. Members will feel more responsibility now, and it’s a plus also because it shows of their strong faith.”
The stake organization is scheduled for June 6-7. The area now covered by the Ulaanbaatar District, will become Ulaanbaatar East District and the Ulaanbaatar West Stake. The stake will include the districts of Khan-Uul, Enkhtaivan, Songino, Unur, Sansаr, and Selbe Branches.
Elder and Sister Caldwell, also senior missionaries in Mongolia, wrote the following:
“Many elders will be ordained high priests so that positions in bishoprics, a stake presidency and an entire high council can all be filled. And stake leaders will also be called for the youth, Primary and Relief Society organizations. A patriarch will be ordained… and will potentially be a very busy man for awhile!”
Gantuya Ganbat, freshman in accounting, is especially excited about Mongolia receiving a patriarch. She said, “This is definitely the sign of the Lord’s promise, when he said that he will gather his children from the four corners of the earth. It teaches me that God knows his children, He knows the people in Mongolia, he knows everyone! I have been thinking about the verse in 3 Nephi 16: 4, and wondering that this might include Mongolia. A stake means we will have our own patriarch, and I am so excited to know and see what tribes all those people are from.” Interestingly enough, according to cumorah.com, as of 2003, “all but the tribe of Zebulun have been found among the declared lineage” of Mongolian members who had received their patriarchal blessings while in other countries. The general feeling regarding this organizational achievement is one of gratitude, especially for the missionaries, and hope for the future.
Sodbileg Chuluunbaatar, junior in information technology, said, “I felt so happy when I heard this news because as a returned missionary who served in my home country one of my biggest goals was to help to establish a stake in Mongolia. I think this is the fruitfulness of many Mongolian and other people’s hard work. I’m looking forward to the time when we will have a Temple in Mongolia.”
Selenge Enkhtuvshin, a BYUH alum whose family were the first converts of Mongolia, sent this message from home, “Many thanks to all the missionaries who served in Mongolia in the past, present, and future.”
And the current mission president of Mongolia and his wife, Allen and Jill Andersen, said, “Dear Mongolian Pioneers, thank you all so much for all the work you did during times and in situations that were much more demanding and difficult than we have ever had to work with. The work in Mongolia is based on a strong and sure foundation created by all of you. I regularly hear wonderful stories about lives touched by your faith, example, and prayers. Thank you.”
Best wishes!
Great news for the people of Mongolia!
What a happy day!
Good news!!
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