MANILA, PHILIPPINES
A series of remarkable events led to two Vietnamese families being sealed in the Manila Philippines Temple.
The Ho Quang Khoi family from the Hanoi Branch, and the Ly Thanh Tu family from the Ho Chi Minh City Branch were sealed in July. It is believed they are the first families living in Vietnam to be sealed in the temple. Six other dedicated members from the two branches also participated in temple ordinances.
The Ho Quang Khoi family first learned about the Church in Australia. Having been temporarily relocated there as part of his work, Brother Khoi went to a garage sale to purchase a washing machine. The machine was delivered by the bishop of the local ward. The Church came up in their conversation, and Brother Khoi became interested in the doctrine. After nine months studying the Church, the family was baptized.
When they returned to their homeland, they read the scriptures and other Church books, and sang hymns together in their home. They never lost their testimonies. They were not aware that a branch of the Church had been organized in Hanoi in 2007.
A missionary in the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission was acquainted with the family through circumstances prior to her mission and she told them about the Hanoi Branch when she was serving in Vietnam.
They immediately began attending Church and soon became part of a temple preparation class taught by a member of the branch and senior missionaries.
It was an exciting time for the Hanoi Branch as the Ho Quang Khoi family, and sisters Cao Thi Kim Chi, Nguyen Thi Hue, and Tran Thi Ngoc Hien performed eternal ordinances in the Manila temple.
"This is the happiest day of my life" was a common sentiment.
The story of the Ly Thanh Tu family from Ho Chi Minh City is no less remarkable.
Brother Tu's wife, Dang Thi Truc Kieu, in 2006 worked in a toy store owned by the Relief Society president of the Ho Chi Minh City Branch, Trinh Thi Hang Nga. Sister Kieu was loved and encouraged by Sister Hang Nga to listen to the gospel message and was soon baptized.
Sister Kieu followed this pattern with her husband, encouraging him to learn about the gospel and how it can help families find joy. In less than a year, Brother Tu was baptized.
Brother Tu now serves as first counselor in the branch presidency and Sister Kieu serves as first counselor in the Relief Society presidency. Brother Tu, Sister Kieu and their two children were sealed as a family.
Others who received their temple ordinances were sisters Ly Thi Niem and Nguyen Thi Thuy. Two returned missionaries, Brother Nguyen Hoai Thanh and Sister Tran Thi Ngoc Hien attended as well.
The branch members had researched and prepared, on New FamilySearch, 92 names of their ancestors. Temple workers helped the group perform the temple ordinances for some of the family names.
A strong outpouring of the Spirit was felt by all as they bore strong testimonies of this experience in their lives.
These families are not only making history for their families, but for the Church in Vietnam as well. — Greg Hill
