Taiwan reunion connects with history
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The 50th anniversary of the preaching of the gospel in Taiwan was celebrated during a reunion in Salt Lake City Thursday and Friday, March 30-31.
The reunion was one of several celebrations planned this year commemorating the arrival of the first four missionaries in Taiwan on June 4, 1956. Activities large and small will continue in various parts of the world over the next several months, culminating with celebrations in Taiwan this summer.
A connection was made with the past at the Salt Lake reunion as the two surviving original missionaries — Melvin C. Fish and Weldon J. Kitchen — as well as more than a dozen former presidents of missions in Taiwan attended. They were joined at a meetinghouse near the University of Utah campus by many returned missionaries who served in Taiwan and others. Wendy Chiang Shamo, leading organizer of the event, estimated that more than 700 people participated during the two days.
Highlighting the first day was an evening fireside featuring Grant M. Heaton who was serving as president of the Southern Far East Mission, with headquarters in Hong Kong, in 1956. In March of that year, he visited Taiwan to explore the possibility of sending missionaries to the island nation and then sent the first four in June.
Capping the reunion's second day were addresses in the evening by Elder Yu Chen (Philip) Ho and Elder Tsung Ting (Jared) Yang, Area Seventies from Taiwan. Sister Shamo said more than 500 people were in the building for that meeting.
After lunch on Thursday, Brother Fish and Brother Kitchen were introduced and shared some memories of their experiences opening Taiwan to missionary work. Friday afternoon, former Taiwan Taipei Mission President Richard B. Stamps (1994-97) spoke.
Other activities included two morning sessions at the Salt Lake Temple, cultural performances, testimony meetings and general visiting. Two lunches and Friday's dinner were provided by organizers.
Brother Stamps told the Church News that there will be continuing events of celebration, including small dinner parties, local reunions, tours to Mainland China and Taiwan, and others. He invited those involved in such celebrations to send photos and letters to the Church in Taiwan to show that there is wide interest, love and support for the members there. He said information should be sent to Elder Edward Miner, Taiwan Taipei Mission, Jin Hua Street, Lane 183, #24, 4th Floor, Taipei 106, Taiwan ROC, or by e-mail to minertaiwan@yahoo.com. Information about anniversary events is available in Chinese and English at www.lds.org.tw.
E-mail to: ghill@desnews.com
