It has only been about a month since Elder Oh arrived on the island, but so far, he, “likes it very much”.

Elder Oh is the newest elder to join the ministry of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bermuda. Elders, who are young men in the Mormon Church that commit two years of their life to full-time service, are sent to the island periodically for six-month terms to assist the church in its work.

Born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Elder Oh is from Seoul, South Korea and is the church’s first representative from that country in Bermuda.

According to Sister Diane Adamson: “At the age of 23, he is older than most Elders serving missions all over the world because he completed the required two years of service in the Korean Army.”

He credits his time in the Korean military with preparing him for missions service.

“It helped me a lot in many different ways,” he explained. “Being away from family — it got me used to it. Also self-reliance and dealing with people and relationships.”

Like all Mormon missionaries, Elder Oh is paying for his expenses out of his own personal savings. He has also studied at Brigham Young University for one year and plans to continue his studies when his missionary service is completed.

With only two months to prepare for coming to the island, he says he has depended greatly on his fellow worker, Elder Isackson, in getting to know Bermuda and its people. He is already volunteering with PRIDE and will be presenting a musical concert on April 14, free to those who wish to attend.

“My goal is to go out and preach the word of God and invite people to church,” he explained of his plans for his six month term on the Island. “I hope to be bold and baptise people.”

“As far as I know, I’m the first Korean Elder on the island. Personally, I want to show people that this church is for everyone.”