In an October address at BYU–Idaho, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hailed the bravery of Oyun Altangerel, a Mongolian woman who paved the way to religious freedom in her country. Her son, Odgerel Ochirjav, is also a pioneer of sorts. He was called to be the first stake president of Mongolia on June 7, 2009.
Odgerel began this spiritual journey when his mother introduced him to LDS missionaries in 1994. She had been baptized only a year before. Six years later in 2000, Odgerel found himself attending the Asian Executive Management Training at PCC. (pictured: First Counselor Adiyabold Namkhai with wife Tuul Puntsagtseden Namkhai and children, President Odgerel Ochirjav with wife Ariunchimeg Tserenjav Ochirjav, and Second Counselor Tsog Altangerel with wife Badamjav Dashdolgor Altangerel)
"I was at that time serving as a branch president in Mongolia," said Odgerel. "Having been able to see how experienced church leadership is done at BYUH wards and stakes was a great learning time for me. I truly feel that BYUH, PCC, and the community of Laie are part of a gospel learning and living laboratory."
During this 10 month period, Ogderel met and dated his future wife, BYU–Hawaii alumna Ariuna Tserenjav. Both attribute positive church and scholarly learning to their time at BYU–Hawaii, including their capacity to teach and serve better, thanks to their capacities in English.
"My wife and I love the promise of David O. McKay about BYU–Hawaii, and are true believers and partakers of his promised blessings," Ogderel said. "From my experience and others who have gone to BYU–Hawaii, I think that the education and experience at BYU–Hawaii will help any person for better no matter how long he or she was there. It will help them to get good jobs and will help them to understand different cultures ... they will be better instruments in the Lord’s hands."
Ogderel continued, affirming his testimony that students need to remain active and, preferably, return back to their native countries to partake of the "greater blessings of BYU–Hawaii as promised by President McKay."