Supporting Vietnam’s Efforts and Shared Vision for Environmental Awareness and Protection

On May 30, 2019, leaders and members in Vietnam of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended an event titled “Religion with Peaceful Life and Clean Environment.”  The event took place at the Phap Van Buddhist Temple in Hoang Mai District, and was in response to the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s call for environmental protection.

Representatives from the Hanoi Fatherland Front, Hanoi Public Security and the Institute of Religion and Belief of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, joined members of seven religions: the Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Cao Dai, Bahai, Islam faiths, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with students and the press.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the Department of Religion for the Vietnam Fatherland Front, spoke about the role of religious organizations working together to care for and preserve the environment. He stated that different religions may have different guiding principles, but as residents of the same city and country, there is urgency to establish environmental awareness and active participation in protective measures by the entire community.

The attendees unanimously agreed that religions play a significant role in educating believers about good values and practices that help create a cleaner and healthier environment. Mr. Hoang Van Tung from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints represented the Church at this occasion.  He is President of the Hanoi District of the Church and Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Church in Vietnam.

During the conference, organizers collected ideas and suggestions for best practices from each of the representatives. The recommendations will be submitted for final approval by the Chairman of the Hanoi City Fatherland Front.

The afternoon session was dedicated to a clean-up activity in Hanoi City, around Linh Dam Lake, with the help of volunteers from all seven religions, and members of Hanoi Public Security, and the Ho Chi Minh City Communist Youth Union.

From the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 36 volunteers joined the clean-up efforts, dressed in yellow vests. They expressed their joy and appreciation at providing meaningful service in the community and voiced their interest in participating in similar events in the future.