Pasir Panjang House in Singapore; A Unique Legacy

As the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grew on the island of Singapore, a decision was made to buy property for a chapel.  A fenced and gated property was procured.  The three buildings on it at the time of purchase are still there, and still in use by the Church.  One building is tremendously efficient for supporting the missionaries in the Singapore Mission.  It is the Pasir Panjang House.

The House is home to one Senior Missionary Office Couple.  Their “assignment” to the house is to host the missionaries in this “Home Away from Home."  The Mission regularly holds Zone Conferences in Singapore. Missionaries assemble to teach and be taught by one another and their Mission President.  The Pasir Panjang House is the place for Elders to stay while there. The Pasir Panjang House is not as large or as opulent as the other two buildings, but it does have a laundry room, a kitchen, dining area, a front living room, and six bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom! Monday to Friday night, the Pasir Panjang House is full of these Priesthood holding missionaries from eastern and western Malaysia.  The five extra bedrooms are set up with bunkbeds and single beds. Mattresses stored under the bunkbeds are pulled out and made up.  Couches are also made into sleeping accommodations.  The House has hosted as many as 28 Elders overnight, but has the potential to handle a surge of 38 Elders.  Many Elders have said they prefer sleeping on a mattress on the floor or on a couch at the House, rather than sleeping at a hotel.

After a conference concludes, the local missionaries often volunteer to help the Senior Couple clean up after the departed Elders.  The amount of laundry from used bedding and towels turns Saturday into a very long laundry day.  Every bed has to be made up again with the clean linens, ready for the next conference.  These “temporary housekeeping” missionaries are rewarded for their efforts with a home cooked American style breakfast, lovingly provided by the resident Senior Couple.

Monthly ward potluck dinners, called Linger Longers, are held at the Pasir Panjang House since it has increased size and kitchen capacity.  Friendshipping and fellowshipping take place with members and their invited guests.  The House is also available for an occasional wedding reception.

The largest of the other two buildings on the site is a beautiful two story home built by a Chinese businessman in the 1920’s for his first wife.  It houses the chapel downstairs.  Upstairs are smaller rooms for use by the Relief Society, Primary, Young Women, Young Men and Sunday School. The other building on site, a former servants’ quarters and garage, now houses classrooms, a baptismal font and storage.  Missionaries serving in Malaysia can take only one suitcase to their field of labor, so their second suitcase is stored here. When missionaries come for Zone Conferences, they can also “visit” their stored luggage to add, subtract or re-arrange personal belongings.

Not only has the Pasir Panjang House added value to the operations of the Singapore Mission, it has also become a fond memory for most Elders serving in this mission.  For years, it has been the first stop in a green elder’s transition to in-the-field missionary work, as well as his last stop.  Elders completing missions will spend their last night at the Pasir Panjang House as they finalize their missionary service and return home.  One might say that the Pasir Panjang House has also been called on a mission!

President Ezra Taft Benson taught:  “We are commanded by God to take this gospel to all the world. That is the cause that must unite us today.  Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction.  Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace.  Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family.”  Mormons are missionary-minded.  Many recognize our young Elders and Sisters as they go about their Father’s business all over the earth.  Each of us should cheerfully labor alongside this young Army of Helaman to bring the world His truth.