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Book Review: When Faith Endures - One Man's Courage
Posted on Oct 31, 2004
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Reviewed by Cindy Bohn, LDSFiles.com Staff Writer
When Faith Endures: One Man's Courage in the Midst of War, by The Van Nguyen and David Lynn Hughes
For as long as humans have been present on the earth, there has been contention and warfare. Latter-day Saints are not immune from such war. In this timely book, Brother Nguyen describes his experiences during the Vietnam War. Despite almost unbearable hardships, Brother Nguyen maintained his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and never lost hope that he would see his family again.
Brother Nguyen first faced hardships as a boy, when both parents died. He lived with other family members for a time, but eventually he and his sister were left alone. He and his sister began earning money by selling vegetables. They arose before sunrise every morning and walked four miles to buy the vegetables from the farmers. They would then take their produce to the market and sell it. The next day, having earned a small profit, they would buy a little more, and gradually, built up their business. So Brother Nguyen was taught from a very small age to work hard and provide for his family. This foundation was valuable when war came to his country.
This book contains Brother Nguyen's story of his conversion to the gospel, his service in the military, his service in the Church, and his marriage. But the most moving and inspiring part begins when Brother Nguyen is called to be the branch president of the Saigon Branch. He was responsible for the care of the members of his branch. The American missionaries were evacuated and no leaders were able to visit the branch. Communications were difficult. But despite this, Brother Nguyen was able to evacuate several of the members of his branch, including his own family.
But he wasn't able to get out himself. Saigon fell. Brother Nguyen was captured and taken to a "reeducation camp," or in other words, a prison camp. There his reeducation began. The virtues of communism were preached to him. He worked for hours on incredibly meager rations. He was beaten. He developed beriberi from malnutrition.
One day in the camp, he found a Bible. Brother Nguyen rejoiced. "Although I had read the entire Book of Mormon several times, I had never read the entire Bible. I had only read the New Testament and selected scriptures. In the course of the next three months, I read the Bible twice." He knew he would be beaten if he were caught. "It was worth the risk to receive so much spiritual comfort and to feel the beauty of the gospel. The scriptures I read kept me from weakening. It was like a letter from God soothing my soul at a time when I was cut off from all contact with the outside world."
Brother Nguyen had to surrender the Bible, but by that time, he didn't need it anymore. The words he had read had sunk so deeply into his soul, that he found strength and courage to endure his confinement.
The story of his reunion with his family was just wonderful, but I really recommend that you read it for yourself. This is a part of history I know little about, and certainly, hadn't heard it from this particular perspective. I was so inspired by this man and his great faith. I realized how much I take the Church for granted. I am able to attend meetings without fear of government reprisal. I have the freedom to worship the way I choose. I live in a nice, warm house and don't have to worry about my children going hungry. But there are millions of others who don't have such blessings and may never have them during their lifetimes.
I really encourage you to look for this book. With Thanksgiving approaching, there's no better time to remind yourself what great blessing you have.
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