Great blessings celebrated in Taiwan
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TAIPEI, Taiwan — On a hillside overlooking Taipei, Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve on June 1, 1959, formally dedicated the land of Taiwan for the preaching of the gospel.
Fifty years after the first missionaries arrived in 1956, Taiwanese members, former missionaries, former and current mission presidents, and other leaders and friends joined together to officially recognize the great blessings that have come to Taiwan as a result of that dedication.
Two sessions of the Dedication Memorial Ceremony were held at the Grand Hotel overlooking the dedication hillside on the morning and afternoon of Saturday, June 3, attended by more than 1,000 guests combined.
Elder Daryl H. Garn of the Seventy and Asia Area president, presided at each of the sessions and spoke words of praise for the members in Taiwan who helped build the Church through the years. "This celebration is about you, the faithful members living the gospel of Jesus Christ," he said.
Of the first four missionaries to Taiwan, the two who are still alive were honored guests. Elder Weldon J. Kitchen and Elder Melvin C. Fish bore testimony of the beginning of the great work in 1956. Elder Kitchen was speaking and, as he glanced at his wristwatch, he noted that it was 10:15 a.m. Fifty years ago at that exact time, he and Elders Fish, Duane W. Degn and Keith A. Madsen stepped off the boat from Hong Kong and were introduced to Taiwan.
Elder Fish noted, "We came to teach you the gospel, but you taught us. The gospel is love and you taught us to love."
W. Brent Hardy, a missionary in the 1960s and later president of the Southern Far East Asia Mission, shared his testimony as well. He praised the members who had stayed here and told them this generation is the fruits of the earlier teachings. He said the Lord has a plan for the Asian families, and that it is now in their hands to make these plans happen.
Missionary choirs performed for both sessions. The dedicatory prayer was read first in Mandarin Chinese by Taipei Taiwan Central Stake President Tzeng Shuei-Tyan and Kaohsiung Taiwan Stake President Zhou Wen Tsung, and then in English by Taiwan Taipei Mission President Anthony D. Perkins and Taiwan Taichung Mission President Scott Watterson.
Testimonies were borne by early members who told of their conversions. Sister Shu-hui Tan Chin of the Taipei West stake and Sister Chih Tsai Rong of the Taipei East stake spoke of past and present missionary experiences. Sister Dai Lu Chin Chih, Elder Edward G. Miner and Cheng Ting Huang of the Chung Hsing Taiwan Stake also bore testimonies.
A pictorial presentation of the past evoked memories for the saints as events were shown, including the original dedicatory service, the earliest baptism, apostles who have visited Taiwan, various member groups, as well as the translator of the Book of Mormon into Chinese. An extensive history of the Church has been assembled from personal picture records. Among the Church leaders who have traveled to Taiwan is President Gordon B. Hinckley who most recently visited last August to dedicate the newly completed Church Service Center in Taipei.
Following the first commemorative session, a press conference was held at the original site of the dedication with Elder Kitchen and one of his first converts, Sister Shu-hui Tan Chin, who was in 1958 a young married mother with three children; and Elder Fish and one of his first converts, Sister Mei Hsiung Kou, who was a 14-year-old girl in 1958. The reunion of these four friends after 50 years was of great interest to the local press.
Dinner and a cultural program were held Saturday evening at the Chin Hua meetinghouse cultural center. Local members and missionaries and their families presented some of their culture with a variety of talents. The closing musical selection by a 100-voice choir and orchestra featured the song "Faith in Every Footstep" sung in Chinese. Hearts were touched as the meaning of the lyrics is very applicable to the current pioneers who are a large part of the membership in Taiwan.
On Sunday, visitors attended various Church meetings; afterward renewal of friendships continued. A fireside was held that evening with Elder Jared Yang, an Area Seventy, presiding. Members bore testimonies, and Elder Yang offered remarks. Elder Fish and Elder Kitchen again shared stories of the early beginnings of the preaching of the gospel in Taiwan. They said they had only a Bible from which to teach. They didn't know the language well, they had no Book of Mormon, no tracts, but they had the Spirit of the Lord with them and wonderful things were accomplished.
The concluding speaker was President Perkins, who was sustained a member of the Seventy in April general conference. He emphasized that the early efforts of the missionaries were not wasted, and that the seeds they planted are bearing fruit.
"God, Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" was tearfully sung and it was a heart-felt conclusion of an eventful weekend.
Additional events, including a bicycle race, reunions and cultural programs, will be held throughout the summer as the 50th Jubilee Celebration continues.
