HTown Publishing - Church History in Indochina

The Light Breaks on Southeast Asia

The book “The Light Breaks on Southeast Asia” is a history (not "the complete history") of the LDS Church in Asia’s ancient kingdoms. It covers the work and the story of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Indochina from theirr beginnings through 2012, including Vietnam, Thailand, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. It includes the following topics:

The early missionary efforts of Elders Levi Savage Jr. and Elam Luddington in Burma and Siam in the 1850s.
The war in Viet Nam that drew the church back to Southeast Asia in the 1960s.
The cultural and historical background of each nation, with maps and photos.
The growth and development of the church in each country, with stories of faith, sacrifice, and miracles.
The book provides inspiring content describing how the light of the gospel has broken on Southeast Asia, bringing hope and joy to many people.

Physical Description

796 Pages - with 204 black and white photographs
Two versions: Hardcover and Softcover

Monk to Missionary

Out of Stock

This book describes the early life of Mani Seangsuwan. He was born and raised in Southern Thailand. As with most Thai people he was raised in the Buddhist faith.

As a young adult Mani moved to the Bangkok area. He was attracted to "the fun life" as now he was free of his parent's oversight. Yet he was committed as are most young Thai men to serve his time as a Buddhist Monk.

While serving in the monestary, he met a group of protestant missionaries on the street one day. They ask him if he would like to have a "Home Bible Study Guide." Being intrigued, he received these materials and took them back to the monestary." At the monestary he began the Bible Studay Guide to learn of the Christian faith. Before long other monks suggestedit was time for him to leave the monestary. He had completed the culturally required three months.

It was not long before he met missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After learning from them his was baptized and later became the fifth native Thai to serve as a missionary.

Translating Scripture: The Thai Book of Mormon

Out of Stock

This book details the story of the translation of the Book of Mormon into the Thai language. Published in 1976, the Thai language was the 24th language into which the full text of the Book of Mormon was translated (excluding translations for languages for which there is no version currently in print). This was a remarkable achievement for a language spoken by about 40 million people at the time of publication.

The story begins with the opening of missionary work in Thailand in 1968 and the conversion of Sister Srilaksanaa Suntarahut, who became the principal translator.

The Lord's guidance and blessings were evident in meeting many challenges. The principal translator had been fully prepared for the challenge. Her father was the physician to King Vajirawut (Rama VI) and her mother was a good freind of his wife HM Queen Indrasakdi Sachi. After the queen was widowed without children she asked Sirlaksana's parents if she could raise 3 of their daughters with her in Dusit Palace.

The Lord provided special blessing to help her. Yet with all that was provided by the Lord the process from start to publication took 6 years.

Sharing Jesus Christ with Buddhists

Coming 2025

This book is my personal mission story. I was the 125th missionary to serve in Thailand. Departing home in June 1973, my group included twelve missionaries, includig Sunan Chantiwichian, the third native Thai to serve as a missionary.

Challenges were many including: Learning the language, learning and adjusting to a very different culture, and understanding what motivated the Thai people to listen to us. There were skermishes with other Christian groups that were the most contentious events we experienced. I had two native Thai companions, one for four months and another for a week. My experiences with them were wonderful.

The chapters are:

The Decision
Hawaii - Learning Thai
Khon Kaen - Adjusting to a New Land
Chachoengsao - Opening a New City
Thonburi - The Big City
Ayuthaya - Preaching the Gospel
Chiangmai - Into the Fish Pond
Bangkok - Translating Scripture