Research Guide
Asia Church History
This guide contains many resources and materials about the history of the Church in Asia
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Macau
- Mongolia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
The guide is not a comprehensive list and is intended only as a starting point in your research on Church history in these parts of Asia. You should search the Church History Catalog using terms specific to your topic to find additional records and information. Questions can also be directed to Church History Library staff through the Ask Us service
.
For ease of use, this guide is divided into sections by types of records. The first section focuses on archival materials, like Church records, oral histories, and similar material, while the second highlights web content, and the third highlights published items, such as books and magazines.
While several items listed in this guide have been digitized and are available online, some will require a visit to the Church History Library (CHL) in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Digitization can be requested through ourAsk Us service
, though not all items and collections can be made available online. Access to the materials identified in this guide and held at the various facilities is subject to our access policy .
For more information about our holdings or policies, we invite you to explore theChurch History Catalog , visit the library in Salt Lake City , or contact our staff using our Ask Us service
. We also have a page that talks more about accessing Church History Library collections .
Finally, please note that the library collects materials from a wide spectrum of sources and represents numerous viewpoints. Users should not assume that the Church or library endorses every item in the collections or that all resources featured in this guide are authored, endorsed, or maintained by the Church.
For ease of use, this guide is divided into sections by types of records. The first section focuses on archival materials, like Church records, oral histories, and similar material, while the second highlights web content, and the third highlights published items, such as books and magazines.
While several items listed in this guide have been digitized and are available online, some will require a visit to the Church History Library (CHL) in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Digitization can be requested through our
For more information about our holdings or policies, we invite you to explore the
Finally, please note that the library collects materials from a wide spectrum of sources and represents numerous viewpoints. Users should not assume that the Church or library endorses every item in the collections or that all resources featured in this guide are authored, endorsed, or maintained by the Church.
Research Guidance
The Church History website has several pages that provide detailed research guidance, such as “Accessing Our Records ” The “Catalog Orientation” page is for the Church History Catalog , which is an online database of the material held by Church History facilities. You can search the catalog for specific countries, individuals, and other relevant terms to find items of interest that are not included in the short lists in the following sections of this research guide.
The library collects materials from a wide spectrum of sources and represents numerous points of view. Users should not assume that the Church or the library endorses every item in the collections.
Additionally, historical documents and materials may contain language and content that are considered inappropriate by 21st-century standards. While materials that contain racist sentiments may be found in Church History collections, in no way does the Church promote or support these ideas or opinions found within them. Making such materials accessible to researchers enables further academic conversation on such topics, which allows for greater historical understanding.
Some collections may be closed to research or require special access permissions before the collection may be viewed. To learn more about the reasons some collections are closed to research, please see ourChurch History Department Historical Records Access Policy .
Additional help or questions about conducting research pertaining to Church history in Asia is available by reaching out to our Church history consultants through ourAsk Us service
.
The library collects materials from a wide spectrum of sources and represents numerous points of view. Users should not assume that the Church or the library endorses every item in the collections.
Additionally, historical documents and materials may contain language and content that are considered inappropriate by 21st-century standards. While materials that contain racist sentiments may be found in Church History collections, in no way does the Church promote or support these ideas or opinions found within them. Making such materials accessible to researchers enables further academic conversation on such topics, which allows for greater historical understanding.
Some collections may be closed to research or require special access permissions before the collection may be viewed. To learn more about the reasons some collections are closed to research, please see our
Additional help or questions about conducting research pertaining to Church history in Asia is available by reaching out to our Church history consultants through our
Archival Records
Archival records are typically those items and collections that are unique or rare and were often unpublished. These include manuscripts, photographs, correspondence, and oral histories to name a few.
Discover information on many similar records through theChurch History Catalog . You can search using the names or unit numbers of specific branches, wards, and so on, but the number of results can vary widely. Additional information on these types of records in general can be found in the Local Unit Records Research Guide .
Church History Catalog by filtering search results to “Oral histories” or by searching for call numbers starting with “OH.”
Local Unit Records
The following is a small sample of the local unit records available from Asia. These have been selected because they are available online and provide an overview of the various kinds of local records kept.Discover information on many similar records through the
Keelung Branch Relief Society minutes and records, 1961-1963, 1968, 1973
This collection offers an example of the types of records the Relief Society kept, specifically in the Keelung Branch (now Keelung Ward 基隆支會) in Taiwan. Church account login and access request required to view online. Found online in the catalog under the call number LR 4383 14.Macau Branch annual historical reports, 1978, 1980-1983
This collection includes historical reports from the Macau Branch (now Macau 1st Branch 澳門第一分會). These reports often include changes in callings and descriptions of events held in the unit. Church account login and access request required to view online. Found online in the catalog under the call number LR 16350 3.Makati Branch manuscript history and historical reports, 1967-1984
This collection includes historical reports from the Makati Branch (now Makati 1st Ward), located in the Metro Manila region of the Philippines. These reports often include changes in callings and descriptions of events held in the unit. Church account login and access request required to view online. Found online in the catalog under the call number LR 5183 2.Jakarta Branch Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association minutes and records, 1970-1972
This collection includes minutes and records from the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association (a precursor to the Young Men organization) for the Jakarta Branch (now Jakarta 1st Ward - Lingkungan 1 Jakarta) in Indonesia. Church account login and access request required to view online. Found online in the catalog under the call number LR 2289 16.Okayama Branch general minutes, 1955-1977
Clerks kept minutes of sacrament meetings, local conferences, presidency meetings, high council meetings, bishopric meetings, or other priesthood leadership meetings. This collection is the general minutes for the Okayama Branch (now the Tsuyama Branch ﾂﾔﾏ ｼﾌﾞ), in Japan. The minutes were kept in English or Japanese. Found online in the catalog under the call number LR 6477 11.Singapore Branch Sunday School minutes and records, 1970-1973
This collection offers an example of the types of records the Sunday School kept, specifically in the Singapore Branch (now the Sembawang Ward). Church account login and access request required to view online. Found online in the catalog under the call number LR 8323 15.
Oral Histories
Since the Church’s history in many countries in Asia is rather recent, the Church History Department has made efforts to conduct oral histories with early members, missionaries, and leaders from these areas. These individuals talk about their lives and experiences with the Church in these interviews. The following is a small sample of those collected by the Church History Department. Additional oral histories can be found in theIndia early Church members oral history project, 2024
Several oral histories were conducted with early Church members about their lives, callings, service, missions, and experiences. The interviews were conducted in English and Hindi. Church account login and access request required to view online.Indonesia early missionaries oral history project, 2024
Former missionaries were interviewed about their experiences serving in Indonesia. Topics discussed include backgrounds, conversions, mission and cultural experiences, and the state of the Church in Indonesia. Interviews were conducted in English. Church account login and access request required to view online.Michael A. Goodman Thailand oral histories, 2011, 2014, 2017
Goodman served as president of the Thailand Bangkok Mission from 1997 to 2000 and interviewed several Church members in Thailand several years after his mission. The interviews in this collection were conducted in Thai, and the collection includes some English transcriptions. Church account login and access request required to view online. Some interviews are currently closed to research.Монголын аман түүхийн төсөл, 2024-2025
The Mongolia oral history project was an effort to interview local leaders, Church employees, and members about their lives and experiences in the Church in Darkhan, Selenge, and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Topics discussed include their backgrounds, conversions, Church callings, education, and employment. These interviews also include their testimonies and reflections on the Church’s growth in Mongolia. Interviews were conducted in English and Mongolian. Church account login and access request required to view online. Some interviews are currently closed to research.Namal D. and V. Deepthi Jayaweera oral history: Brampton, Ontario, Canada and Hong Kong, China, 2023 December 20
In this interview, the Jayaweeras talk about their experiences as Church members in Sri Lanka. Topics discussed include their background, their conversion, and Namal Jayaweera’s role in translating the Book of Mormon into Sinhala. This collection includes photographs of evangelism leaders, documents concerning Jayaweera’s affiliation with the Methodist Church, and letters relating to the translation of the Book of Mormon into Sinhala. Church account login and access request required to view.A Pioneer for Thailand: Interview with Sister Srilaksanaa “Sri” Suntarahut
This is a video recording of an oral history interview with Suntarahut. She describes growing up in the Grand Palace, her early education and career, meeting her husband, her conversion to the Church, and her part in translating the Book of Mormon into the Thai language. The interview was conducted in English and Thai. Church account login and access request required to view.Sheldon Shui Tat Poon interview: Hong Kong, China, 2015 November 21
This oral history is a summary of Poon’s conversion and Church service, including his marriage influenced by Ezra Taft Benson’s counsel and his role as Hong Kong’s first stake president. The interview highlights his leadership as district and stake president—promoting temple sealings, encouraging youth to attend BYU, training local priesthood leaders, organizing a Hong Kong temple excursion, and helping translate and record the temple endowment. It also covers his move to China and his work coordinating Latter-day Saint music professors to teach in training workshops for Chinese educators. Church account login and access request required to view.日本口述歴史コレクション, 2019-2025
This collection includes oral history interviews of Japanese Church members and leaders. Topics discussed include conversion and baptism, missionary and temple work, humanitarian work, the growth of the Church in Japan, and service in various Church assignments. Church account login and access request required to view.
Other Archival Records
C. David Freeman mission papers, 1964-1967
This collection includes the journal, correspondence, photographs, and ephemera collected by Freeman during his service in Taiwan from 1964 to 1967 within the Southern Far East Mission. His journal describes his companions, investigators, ordinances performed, financial information, and literature he read in the mission field. Correspondence includes letters to and from family members. This collection also includes photographs and slides of Freeman with other missionaries, Church members, investigators, and meetinghouses in Taiwan. Found online in the catalog under the call number MS 30310. Church account login required to view portions of the collection with some materials also requiring an access request to view online.L. Edward Brown mission photographs, 1957-1960
Brown served as a missionary in Seoul, South Korea, under the Northern Far East Mission. His collection contains photographs of many early Church members and significant individuals in Korea and includes an index with additional context. Found online in the catalog under the call number PH 8858. Church account login and access request required to view online.Manahi N. and Hineapa Paewai mission papers, 1984-1986
This collection includes a brief account of the Paewais’ service in the Singapore Mission. They served in Sri Lanka; Penang, Malaysia; Cucking, Sarawak; East Borneo, Indonesia; Goa, India; and Singapore. This collection also includes photographs of missionaries, local Church members, and investigators. Found online in the catalog under the call number MS 25952. Church account login and access request required to view online.Maxine T. Grimm papers, 1914-1984
This collection includes papers compiled by Grimm concerning the Church in the Philippines. Grimm worked with the American Red Cross during World War II as recreational director in the Hospital Service. She shared the gospel wherever she served: Philippines, New Guinea, and Japan. This collection also includes photographs; histories of the Church in the Philippines, New Guinea, and the Philippines Mission from 1961-1970; programs; correspondence; meeting minutes; and scrapbooks containing photographs, certificates, newspaper clippings, newsletters, correspondence, and drawings regarding Grimm’s life. Found online in the catalog under the call number MS 23811. Church account login and access request required to view online.Philippines/Micronesia Area histories of Philippines Relief Society sisters, 1992
This collection includes twenty-seven personal histories, written in conjunction with the commemoration of the Relief Society sesquicentennial. The records contain conversion stories, overviews of Relief Society and Church experiences (including comments regarding service as Relief Society presidents), testimonies, and comments on family life. The histories are in English. Found online in the catalog under the call number CR 647 5. Church account login and access request required to view online.한국 서울 스테이크의 조직 회의 녹음, 1973
This audio recording comes from the conference held to organize the Seoul Korea Stake, the first stake in Korea. It includes remarks by Spencer W. Kimball and 이호남 (Rhee Ho Nam), the first president of the stake. Audio is in Korean and English. Found online in the catalog under the call number AV 5601. Church account login and access request required to view online.Taipei Taiwan meetinghouse activities photographs, circa 2005
This collection includes photographs of Church members, missionaries, and visitors participating in ward, Young Women, Primary, and Relief Society activities in Taipei, Taiwan. It also includes photographs of Institute, English classes, the family history center, and the employment center, as well as a Taipei Complex inauguration event video. Found online in the catalog under the call number PH 12800. Church account login and access request required to view online.Vietnam church members video profiles, 2013
In these brief video profiles, Church members in Vietnam share their testimonies and their feelings about being a Latter-day Saint. Some conversion stories are also shared. The audio is in Vietnamese and English transcripts are included. Found online in the catalog under the call number CR 669 25. Church account login and access request required to view online.
Published Items
This section lists published materials, such as books and magazines, that may be useful in researching the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the faith and lives of its members in Asia. This is not intended to be comprehensive and only provides a small sampling of content discussing Church history in Asia. Additional items can be found by searching the Church History Catalog for specific countries, individuals, and relevant terms.
create one on the Church’s website .
Gospel Library , the following list links to historic issues in various languages available through the Church History Catalog .
A Documentry History of the Chinese Mission 1949-1953, Southern Far East Mission 1955-1959
Compiled by H. Grant and Luana Heaton, the volume explores the history of the Church in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Guam. It includes stories from the Heatons during their missionary service in the area, as well as items from various missionaries and members. Available online in theChurch History Catalog . Church account login and access request required to view online.
한국의 초기 말일성도: 개인 역사선집
Translated as “Early Korean Saints: An Anthology of Personal Histories,” the volume shares the testimonies and experiences of Korean early Latter-day Saints. The introduction and forward are in English, while the main body of text is in Korean. Available online in theChurch History Catalog . Church account login and access request required to view online.
사진으로 보는 한국 교회 50년사
Published to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Church’s arrival, this volume, translated as “Photobook: The First 50 Years of the Church in Korea,” uses photographs and documents to tell the story of the Latter-day Saints in Korea. The text is in English and Korean. Available online in theChurch History Catalog .
The Church in Papua New Guinea, 1980-1983: Beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Part history and part recollection, this volume by Dennis D. Flake is an account of the service of the mission leaders who oversaw the introduction of the Church into Papua New Guinea. Available online through theChurch History Catalog . Church account login and access request required to view online.
Voice of the Saints in Taiwan: A History of the Latter-day Saints in Taiwan
This volume discusses early missionary efforts in Taiwan and the conversions and efforts of Taiwanese Latter-day Saints in spreading the gospel in the country. Available online through theBYU Religious Studies Center website .
WorldCat
or your local library catalogs to see if these books are available in your area.
Online
This is a curated list of published items available online, mostly hosted on the Church History Catalog. Some items in the catalog require a Church account to view. If you do not have an account, you canLiahona
The official magazine of the Church, Liahona, is published in several languages spoken in Asia. Some of these magazines began publication under missions as early as the 1950s and carried unique names before being unified in their content and adopting the name Liahona. While many recent issues can be found in繁體中文 - 國語 (Chinese—Hong Kong)简体中文 - 普通话 (Chinese—simplified)日本語 (Japanese)ខ្មែរ (Khmer/Cambodian)한국어 (Korean)Монгол (Mongolian)Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Liahona Local Pages
The local pages, also known as “News of the Church,” offer stories from and about Latter-day Saints in specific countries and locations. These are inserts in the Liahona and typically began publication alongside the Church’s international magazine in each country (some as early as the 1980s) with the intent of including local content alongside articles intended for the broader membership.ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា (Cambodia)香港 (Hong Kong)Bhārat Gaṇarājya (India)Indonesia 한국 (South Korea)日本国 (Japan)Монгол Улс (Mongolia)- Republika ng Pilipinas (Philippines)
中華民國 (Taiwan)ราชอาณาจักรไทย (Thailand)Việt Nam (Vietnam)
Other Media
Compiled by H. Grant and Luana Heaton, the volume explores the history of the Church in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Guam. It includes stories from the Heatons during their missionary service in the area, as well as items from various missionaries and members. Available online in the
Translated as “Early Korean Saints: An Anthology of Personal Histories,” the volume shares the testimonies and experiences of Korean early Latter-day Saints. The introduction and forward are in English, while the main body of text is in Korean. Available online in the
Published to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Church’s arrival, this volume, translated as “Photobook: The First 50 Years of the Church in Korea,” uses photographs and documents to tell the story of the Latter-day Saints in Korea. The text is in English and Korean. Available online in the
Part history and part recollection, this volume by Dennis D. Flake is an account of the service of the mission leaders who oversaw the introduction of the Church into Papua New Guinea. Available online through the
This volume discusses early missionary efforts in Taiwan and the conversions and efforts of Taiwanese Latter-day Saints in spreading the gospel in the country. Available online through the
On-Site
The following items are not available online but can be viewed at the Church History Library (CHL) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Call numbers are provided to help you access these publications. You can also search- “Feed my Sheep”: Pioneer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Korea: Dr. Kim, Ho Jik’s Lifetime and Achievements
This is a biography of the first member of the Church from Korea and his efforts to establish the gospel in his home country. Found at the CHL under call number M270.1 K492f 2002. - From the East: The History of the Latter-day Saints in Asia, 1851-1996
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the Church’s beginning in Asia. Found at the CHL under call number M275 B862f 1998. - A History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Singapore: Journey to Stakehood, 1964-1997
This volume covers the history of the Church in the Singapore from the arrival of missionaries in 1964 to the formation of the stake in 1995 to July 1997. Found at the CHL under call number M275.975 L755h 1997. - The Korean Saints: Personal Stories of Trial and Triumph, 1950-1980
This volume is a compilation of accounts from Latter-day Saints who joined the Church in Korea between 1950 and 1980. Found at the CHL under call number M275.19 K84 1995. - The Light Breaks on Southeast Asia: A History of the LDS Church in Asia’s Ancient Kingdoms
By Reed B. Haslam, this book discusses the history of the Church in Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Found at the CHL under call number M275.9 H352b 2012. - Out of the Killing Fields, Into the Light: Interviews with Mormon Converts from Cambodia
This book contains the collected stories of nine refugees from the Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia who made their way to the United States and eventually joined the Church. Found at the CHL under call number M270 C754o 2011. - The Trek East: Mormonism Meets Japan, 1901-1968
This book portrays the intellectual, political, religious, and other social aspects of twentieth-century Japan through the eyes of missionaries and Church members. Found at the CHL under call number M275.2 T136t 2016. - Voices of Latter-day Saint Women in the Pacific and Asia
Highlighting the stories of Latter-day Saint women, this compilation includes essays on women throughout the Pacific and Asia. Found at the CHL under call number M243.8 V8891 2024. - A History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines
This short pamphlet, compiled by the Luzon District presidency in 1965, offers some details about the early history of the Church in the Philippines. Found at the CHL under call number M275.99 L979h 1965.
Web Content
The brief
This database, maintained by the Church History Department, documents the individuals who participated in events in Church history. While Latter-day Saints from Asia are not greatly represented, the missionaries who served among them can offer insight into the early efforts of the Church and its members there. The database also has pages for the few missions that existed in Asia before 1940:
The Church’s official newsroom contains stories and information about the Church from around the world. Local newsrooms contain more country-specific content. Not all countries with a Church presence have newsroom pages.
Facts and Statistics Hong Kong—China Newsroom India Newsroom ニュースルーム (Japan Newsroom) Philippines Newsroom Singapore Newsroom 뉴스룸 (South Korea Newsroom)
FamilySearch is a vast online genealogy database with records, sources, and stories about deceased individuals worldwide. It can be used to find early Latter-day Saints in Asia and the missionaries who taught them. Users may also upload memories—such as photos, journals, and letters—to individual profiles. The site is free, though some features require a user account.
This is an independently run webpage that seeks to track and report on Church growth and culture throughout the world. It is a valuable resource for studying the history of the Church in Asia.
Notes
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