A photograph taken 45 years ago in China became the "ticket" for William Taylor and his wife, Barbara, of Provo, Utah, to visit the People's Republic of China from May 3-20.

The Taylors' trip to China came in a rather roundabout way - via Ireland, where they have been serving in the Ireland Dublin Mission since last August.Elder and Sister Taylor became acquainted with a Chinese couple in Bray, Ireland. During a conversation with the couple, Elder Taylor mentioned experiences he had in China near the end of World War II.

He had been an American civilian working on Wake Island in the Pacific when he was taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese in 1941. He and others captured in the Pacific were sent to a Japanese prisoner of war camp in Shanghai, China, where he remained until May 1945, when he managed to escape while being transferred by train.

A small contingent of Chinese Communist forces found him. Rather than leave the American to fend for himself and face possible recapture, the soldiers took him with them on a three-month campaign into northern China. Eventually, the Chinese made radio contact with an American unit, saying they had a U.S. civilian who needed transport. An American bomber was sent to pick him up and fly him to Yenan, where he met Chairman Mao Tze Teng and Chu Teh, second in command of the Chinese Communists. The young American was photographed standing next to Mao.

As Elder Taylor related his experiences to the Chinese couple in Ireland, they were fascinated, and asked if they could see the picture. He showed them the picture the next day. The woman asked if she could have a copy. Although he wasn't certain why she wanted it, he gave her an extra copy he had taken with him to Ireland.

The woman returned to Beijing, and took the picture with her. Through her father, who is one of the ministers of the government, the picture made its way into the hands of Han Xu, former ambassador to the United States. Mr. Han, now president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, invited Elder and Sister Taylor to travel to China as guests of the association.

Elder and Sister Taylor received appropriate permission to leave their mission. They went to China, not as missionaries but as guests of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

During their 17-day visit, Elder and Sister Taylor met with top Chinese officials in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Banquets were held to honor them in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongquing, Xian and Yenan.

They were taken to many famous sites in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the 13 tombs of the Ming Dynasy near Beijing, the Dazu Grotto Art near Congqing, and the 2,000-year-old terra cotta figures in Xian, listed as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

"The greatest event for us was just meeting the people - peasants, merchants and government officials - and feeling of their love and kindness," said Elder Taylor. "It was a duplication of the memories I have carried with me all these years. I remember how the Chinese cared for me after I escaped as a prisoner of war."

The Taylors' hosts, upon learning he would be observing his 73rd birthday May 18, planned a surprise party for him in the former residence of Chiang Kai-shek in Beijing.

The party was hosted by Huang Hua, former ambassador to Egypt, Canada and the United Nations, and his wife. Among the guests were Meng Jiqing, president of China Today magazine; Wu Shuqing, president of Peking University; Madame Zhang Xueling, Secretary-General of China-U.S. Friendship Association; and Zhou Liqian, the Taylors' guide provided by the association during their trip.

Elder and Sister Taylor are members of the Pleasant View 5th Ward, Provo Utah Sharon East Stake. They were called last August to serve in the Ireland Dublin Mission. They returned to Ireland after their trip to China to resume their missionary duties.