In a BYU devotional address March 12, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Council of the Twelve spoke of the past, present and future of the Church in the People's Republic of China.

Early in his address, Elder Oaks stated: "It is currently against the law to send foreign missionaries to China or to proselyte in that country. And because our Church observes the law of each nation, we have no plans to send missionaries or to engage in proselyting activities in that great land."Elder Oaks referred to the 1978 address that President Spencer W. Kimball gave to regional representatives regarding the obligation to take the gospel to "the uttermost parts of the earth." (D&C 58:64.) President Kimball singled out China as one of the nations that has not yet been taught the gospel.

Elder Oaks spoke of some of the ways the Church and its members are helping move forward work in China:

- Students and leaders of BYU performing groups help forge friendships for the Church as they travel to and entertain in China. The first BYU performing group went to China in 1979; several have gone since then.

- The number of Chinese members is increasing in other parts of the world.

Elder Oaks said there are six stakes comprised predominantly of Chinese members in Taiwan and Hong Kong. He spoke of Chinese members who hold key leadership positions in the Church in many cities and countries of the world.

"We cannot send missionaries to the People's Republic of China, but each year China sends thousands of its choicest sons and daughters to various foreign lands to study," he said. "In those places they quite naturally meet our missionaries, and many of these Chinese students are joining the Church. Some have already returned to China, and others will return when their studies are completed.

"We encourage our Chinese members to return to China. Their country needs them in China and the Lord needs them in China. The work of China will go forward with these young engineers, scientists, scholars and artists. At the same time, the work of the Lord will go forward in China in a natural law-abiding way because of those who have received the message of the restored gospel. In every land, that message makes its recipients better citizens, better workers, better friends."

- More Latter-day Saints are becoming better acquainted with China and its people by living or traveling there.

The David M. Kennedy Center at BYU has arranged for LDS couples and singles to be appointed by various Chinese colleges and institutes to go to China to teach English for a year. "These valiant volunteers are doing a great work of brotherly and sisterly service," Elder Oaks said.

"Many other Latter-day Saints have traveled to China to serve its people. Experts in medicine, agriculture, technology, business and the arts have generously given service with their heads and hearts and hands."

- The Church sent books to libraries, arranged for microfilming of official and family records, and sent assistance to the victims of a devastating earthquake.

Elder Oaks noted, "Each year there are new examples of coincidences - I call them miracles - that further our ties and our friendship with China and its people." He told of Elder and Sister William L. Taylor, missionaries in Ireland, who were invited to visit China in 1990. The invitation was extended when high-ranking Chinese officials learned through a contact in Ireland about Elder Taylor's experiences during World War II when he, after escaping from a Japanese prisoner of war camp in China, found his way to friendly Chinese forces with whom he spent about two months before being taken to Yenan. There, he met Mao Zedong.

The Taylors were invited to China last year. "They met a distinguished Chinese leader, who had been Foreign Minister of China," recounted Elder Oaks. "Through that contact . . . Church leaders have been able to meet with this high-ranking man and further the ties of friendship between our Church and the People's Republic of China."

Elder Oaks said, "People sometimes ask me about what can be done to `open China.' In response, I state my belief that China is already `open' - it is we who are closed. We are closed because we expect the Orient to be the same as the West, China to be the same as Canada or Chile. We must open our minds and our hearts to the people of this ancient realm and this magnificent culture. We must understand their way of thinking, their aspirations and their impressive accomplishments. We must observe their laws, and follow their example of patience. We must deserve to be their friends.

"As we become friends of China, and as we learn from them, our Father in Heaven, who has made `all nations of men . . . and [hasT determined . . . the bounds of their habitation' (Acts 17:26), will bring His purposes to pass in that great nation `in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.' (D&C 88:68.)