Voice of the Saints in Mongolia by Po Nien (Felipe) Chou and Petra Chou is an informative account of the establishment and growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mongolia. As the first comprehensive history of the Church in Mongolia, the book breaks historical ground and provides valuable insights into the challenges and blessings of bringing the gospel to a rugged, harsh climate and a people with deeply rooted (non-Christian) beliefs and traditions.
The book features a lot of first-person accounts from members of the Church in Mongolia, which offer a unique and personal perspective on the establishment and growth of the Church in the country. From the translation of the scriptures to the creation of stakes, the development of local leadership, building efforts, Deseret International Charities, and the administration of the Church, the authors highlight the vital aspects of the growth and development of the Church in Mongolia.
Stylistically, the book reminded me of articles you might find in the Liahona. It is very pro-Church and tends to gloss over challenges that the Church faces in Mongolia (other than visa issues). That meant that there wasn’t always as much depth to the stories and history presented, but it does offer a refreshing lack of cynicism and a focus on the blessings that members of the Church have experienced in Mongolia. It was also very readable. The authors’ love and respect for the Mongolian people and their culture is evident throughout the book, as is their gratitude for the blessings of the gospel in their lives.
Overall, Voice of the Saints in Mongolia is a great view into what it takes to establish the Church in a new country. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the growth and development of the Church in Mongolia or in cross-cultural communication and understanding. It will be an important piece to reference for future historical work in studying The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Asia.