Hilton Remarks at Closing Fireside

Dear brothers and sisters, congratulations on 20 wonderful years of progress and growth here in the Montgomery Chinese Branch.  I am pleased to have been invited this evening to provide a brief report of the establishment and recent progress of the Twin Lakes Chinese Branch in Northern Virginia.

In January 2010, under the direction of the Seventy, the Centreville Virginia Stake established a Chinese language group to give Chinese-speaking members and investigators throughout Northern Virginia Chinese to attend Latter-day Saint Sunday worship services.

During the ensuing 21 months, under the direction of the Group Leadership, we experienced much progress, not only in numbers, but in strength of spirit.  The Group leadership at that time was Matt Salmon, Zhu Bowei, and Jared Pendleton (for a few months), and Ye Chengxi. Under their leadership, the Group progressed in every way and met all the Church’s requirements to formally establish an independent Branch.

Therefore, on August 21, 2011, I was very pleased to formally announce that the First Presidency had authorized the formal establishment of a new independent Chinese Branch to serve all eight stakes of the Washington DC South Coordinating Council.

Concurrently, I invited all Chinese- speaking members and returned missionaries and friends and families in Northern Virginia to attend the meeting wherein we would form the new branch.
The next month, on September 18, 2011, we formally created an independent Chinese branch of the Church—the Twin Lakes Branch.

At that time we released and thanked the leaders of the Chinese Group. We are very grateful to them for their truly great sacrifices and service. The following brethren were then sustained as the new branch presidency.

•    Hsū Tàchéng, Branch President
•    Máo Zhìpíng (Kevin Mallory), First Counselor
•    Shén Zhǐqìng, Second Counselor

Since September 18, four new Chinese converts have been baptized and joined the branch, and five Chinese members of the branch have received their own endowment in the temple.

Today the Twin Lakes Branch is still very small, and has all the challenges of being very small, but the spirit is strong, and the members are serving and sacrificing selflessly under the leadership of the branch presidency.

As I have watched the continuing progress of the branch, my love for the Chinese members has deepened and broadened, and my gratitude to Heavenly Father for his blessings to the branch and its members has grown.

I bear testimony that Jesus Christ lives. That He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His one and only true church on the earth. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I bear testimony that Thomas S. Monson is God’s living prophet on the earth today.  I truly hope that every one of us will obey God’s every commandment and prepare as families to return to his presence. I leave this report and testimony with you humbly, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Tsai Remarks at Closing Fireside

Brothers and sisters, tonight my heart is filled with gratitude for the many blessings which God has bestowed upon our families and upon our Chinese Branch.  Over the past twenty years, eight missionaries from our branch have served full-time missions.  This does not include President & Sister Foulger, who were called as full-time missionaries to serve in our branch, nor does it include Joshua Tsai, Kristy Tung, and others, who will leave in the future to serve full-time missions.  I am confident that many more Primary children and Youth will serve missions.  If my counting is correct, 100 missionaries have served in our branch, and Elders Hsiung and McLane are the 99^th and 100^th missionaries.  These wonderful missionaries have been the backbone of the growth of the Chinese Branch.  Through their efforts, 202 converts have joined the church.  President Monson said that “Missionary work is the lifeblood of the kingdom.” (Thomas S. Monson, “It’s Conference Once Again,” April 2011 General Conference)  Truly, each one of us have either been taught by a missionary or have had an ancestor join the church through a missionary.  My parents were taught by missionaries in 1971 in Taiwan, as were Sister Tsai and her parents.  This is God’s inspired church because he calls missionaries to declare his word.  In a few minutes, we will have an opportunity to watch a slideshow, listing all of the missionaries and converts in our branch.  As we watch, let us ponder the great blessings that have occurred because of them.

This work is God’s work.  God directs this work.  This church is God’s church.  I would like to say a few words about our special branch and the work of God in this branch.

First, I want to say something about branch presidents.  We have had five branch presidents who have served in our branch.  I want you to know that none of our branch presidents are perfect.  I know that for sure.  None of them sought the calling.  When they were called, they all had their doubts.  But they accepted the calling because they knew the calling came from God, they loved God, and they loved their fellowmen.  As an example, our first branch president, President Breglio, hesitated to accept the calling because he had forgotten much Chinese and because he had severe back problems.  Yet, he accepted the calling because he knew it was from God.  And we have been blessed because of his choice.

I believe that God established this Chinese Branch for special purposes.  President Hardy and the stake leaders were inspired to request the creation of this wonderful branch over twenty years ago.  God has led members and converts to come to this branch at the appropriate times to be part of and to bless this branch.  The branch is a great miracle.  To me, the branch has had three purposes.

First, this branch has given us the opportunity to use our native tongue to learn the gospel principles, to receive priesthood ordinances, and to perform these ordinances.  How many gospel lessons, Family Home Evenings, and missionary discussions have been taught in Chinese?  How many blessings for the sick, priesthood ordinations, Sacrament prayers, and temple ordinances have been performed in Chinese?  We have been truly blessed to receive these blessings in Chinese.  This is a direct fulfillment of Joseph Smith’s prophecy: “For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fullness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (D&C 90:11)

Second, this branch has helped us preserve our Chinese culture for ourselves and for our posterity.  Almost every year, we have celebrated the Chinese New Year and the Moon Festival.  We also have had a Dragonboat festival, a dragon boat race, and a celebration of Lover’s Day on the 7^th of July.  Since we live in America, we have also assimilated the American culture.  So, each year we have celebrated Christmas and New Year.  In addition, we have also celebrated Pioneers Day, Easter, and even Independence Day.  Through these celebrations, we have developed strong traditions for our families and for our branch.

Third, this branch has been a training ground for future leaders, teachers, and missionaries.  President Harrison is one of those leaders who have been trained by our branch, since he has served in our branch on two occasions, first as a Sunday School teacher and second as President Chiang’s executive secretary.   Then he was called as a bishop, mission president, and now stake president.  We have had eight missionaries sent out to be missionaries throughout the whole world.  Brother Shu Zhan returned to China and served as an Elders Quorum president.  Elder Sheffield is now living in Texas and serves as a bishop in his ward.  Many more leaders will go forth to the whole world from this branch.

The goal of this reunion was to bring members closer to Christ by:

• fellowshipping and reuniting with previous members and missionaries;
• sharing and rekindling faith-building testimonies; and
• reminiscing about the miracles of conversion, preparation of leaders, and growth in the branch.

I think we have accomplished each of these goals.

May God continue to bless this Chinese Branch and others like it throughout the world.  May God bless the Chinese people that their hearts may be prepared to receive the gospel.  May God bless the leaders of China, that the doors of China one day soon may be opened to the full-time missionaries.  May we continue to prepare ourselves to help in small ways to build the kingdom of God on this earth, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

弟兄姊妹: 今晚我的心充滿對神的感激. 感謝神給我的家庭以及這個分會的許多祝福. 過去的二十年裏,我們分會送出八位全時間傳教士. 這不包括Foulger會長夫婦,也不包括將要去傳教的蔡致賢長老, 及未來的幾位要去傳教的弟兄姐妹像 Kristy董敏姊妹和李明杰弟兄. 我相信還有更多我們現在的初級會兒童和男女青年會加入這項傳教的行列. 如果我的計算是正確的, ,這二十年來我們今天正好有一百位傳教士來我們分會服務過. 熊長老是第九十九位, 林長老(McLane)正是第一百位. 這些美好的傳教士是本分會成長的動力. 經由他們辛勤努力的結果, 兩百零二位歸信者加入了教會. 孟孫會長曾說”傳道事工是神國的血脈.” 真的, 我們每一個人不是直接由傳教士授課不然就是我們的祖先接受了傳教士的教導. 我的父母於1971年在台灣接受傳教士的教導,蔡姊妹的父母也是. 這是神啟發的教會,因為祂召喚傳教士們去宣講祂的話語,再過幾分鐘,我們將有機會看到許多過去的傳教士及歸信者的紀錄影片.

當我們在觀賞時,讓我們記得由於這些傳教士 我們所受的極大祝福.

這是神的事工,神引導著. 這是神的教會. 我想簡短的談一下我們這個特別的分會:

首先, 談到分會會長,從分會成立到現在我們有五位分會會長: Brelio, Foulger, 江會長,蔡會長和現任的沈會長. 我要大家知道沒有一位分會會長是完美的, 當他們接受召喚時,他們一定都懷疑過自己的能力,但他們接受召喚因為他們知道這召喚是來自神. 他們愛神,也愛他們的同胞. 我們分會的第一任會長: Brelio會長,害怕接受這召喚因為他已忘了很多中文, 他當時還有背的健康問題, 然而他還是接受了這項召喚. 因為他知道這是神的召喚. 也因為他的選擇, 我們受到了許多的祝福.

我相信神成立這個分會有祂的用意及特別的目的. 20年前, Hardy會長和支聯會領袖們受到靈感成立了這個分會.神一直在不同的時間裏帶領許多教友及歸信者來到這個分會,祝福了這個分會. 這個分會是一個奇蹟.

對我而言,這分會有三個目的:

第一: 是讓我們有機會用我們的母語,也就是華語,來學習福音原則、接受聖職教儀和其他各種教儀. 在這裡,曾經有過多少福音課程、家庭晚會及傳教士課程是用中文教導的?曾經有多少治病的祝福、聖職權柄的按立、聖餐祝福的教儀以及聖殿教儀是用中文實行的? 用中文母語使我們受到許多益處和祝福 (D&C 90:11)

第二: 這分會為我們和我們的後代保留祝中華文化的傳統.  每一年我們都慶祝中國農曆新年和中秋節. 我們也參與龍舟慶典、龍舟競賽以及七夕情人節. 我們既是住在美國也入境隨俗的慶祝聖誕節、獨立節和各種其他慶典,再加上教會傳統的先驅者紀念日和復活節等等…經由這些慶典我們發展出了強壯且獨特的家庭和分會文化傳統.

第三: 這分會是未來領袖、教師和傳教士的訓練基地. 豪會長曾在本分會主日學教師及執行祕書. 後來他被召喚為主教、傳道部會長, 然後是現在我們的支聯會會長. 本分會送出去八位傳教士到世界各地去傳播福音. 本分會受洗的舒展弟兄返回中國大陸後曾任長老定額組. 蔡致潔現在是亞洲單身支會慈助會諮理….我知道將來會有更多的領袖會從本分會出去.

這次的週年紀念活動的目標是要藉著(1)聚集和交誼來鞏固過去和現在的教會成員和傳教士. (2)分享見證,並鼓舞火熱的信心之建立(3)溫習回憶舊時歸信的奇蹟,  將教會成員帶向基督.

願神繼續祝福我們華語分會和世上所有各分之會. 願神祝福中國人,幫助他們的心準備好接受福音. 願神祝福中國的領袖們, 使中國在不久的將來接納全時間傳教士. 願我們繼續努力準備我們自己最小的一部分來建立神在世上的國度.

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Reunion Closing Fireside

The final event of the Montgomery Branch 20th Anniversary Reunion was the closing fireside held in the chapel of the Kentlands building.  Adam Fugal conducted the meeting with President Harrison presiding.  Emerald Shen played the piano with Melinda Tsai acting as chorister.

At 6:30pm, Brother Fugal welcome to everyone to the Montgomery Branch 20th Anniversary Fireside.  He acknowledged the presence of President Ronald Harrison, presiding officer; Elder Ralph Hardy, former stake president who requested the creation of the Montgomery Chinese Branch 20 years ago; President Steve Hilton, Centreville Stake President, who requested the creation of the Twin Lakes Chinese Branch in Virginia; and, President Patrick Shen, our very own branch president.  He reminded everyone that no photographic or recording equipment was allowed in chapel and that only two people have been given special permission (Brothers Da Zhao and Brian Johnson) to record the program in the chapel.  Michael Cunningham provided the simultaneous translation by headset.

After the congregation singing the opening hymn, "Now Let us Rejoice," Brother Jess Theodore offered the invocation.  The first testimony was given by President Ron Harrison.  He began by recalling his mission call to Taiwan, where he felt a duty to preach the gospel to the Chinese people there.  He served in a place called Aihe.  He related his experiences in the Sacred Grove and shared his testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  He then stressed the importance of temple ordinances in this great work.

He was followed by a testimony from Benjamin Tsai.  See text.

We then enjoyed a slide show, featuring all 100 full-time missionaries who have served in our branch all 202 converts who have been baptized into the branch.  The Primary song "We'll Bring the World His Truth" was sung in Chinese by all missionaries present who now serve or have served in our branch.  President Steve Hilton shared the experience of organizing the Twin Lakes Branch and hist testimonry.  After President Steve Hilton's remarks, the branch orchestra (consisting of Jessica Tsai, Joshua Tsai, Melinda Tsai, and Vincent Li) played and sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer."

Elder Ralph Hardy spoke of the Diaspora of Chinese people.  He expounded on memories and reminiscing.  He told a story of how the Toronto members remembered Elder Hardy.  Over twenty years, Michael Seay, then the stake mission president, suggested that a Chinese branch was needed.  Then Stake President Hardy picked a name, the Montgomery Branch, and a new branch president, Vincent Breglio.  He invited President Breglio to this reunion.  He also talked about meeting Brother Bowei Zhu in the Washington Temple, where he and his wife are serving as temple workers.  He quoted 2 Nephi 1:6: "there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord."  If we keep the commandments, the blessings of the gospel will distill upon us and bless our children and us.  The Holy Ghost will be with us.  President Shen is God's anointed in our branch.

President Patrick Shen was the concluding speaker.  He remarked that this fireside may be considered as nought to outsiders.  In attendance tonight, we have witnessed two current stake presidents who speak Mandarin Chinese.  What could he add to the words of two stake presidents and a General Authority?  He thanked the stake for their continual support.  He thanked the Johnson's and the Theodore's.  Over the next twenty years of the Montgomery Chinese Branch, we must be more diligent.   Without the 100 missionaries, we sould not be here.  But members must put their shoulders to the wheel.

Brother Fugal then announced that the group photo was going to be taken in the cultural hall immediately after closing prayer and that there were refreshments afterwards.  The concluding musical number "Charity" was sung by the branch choir.  The benediction was then offered.

Everyone then gathered in the cultural hall for the group photo.  Then we enjoyed the birthday cake and light refreshments.

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Farewell Sacrament Meeting for Joshua Tsai

The Reunion Sacrament Program mainly consisted of a farewell for Elder Joshua Tsai.  His mom first spoke, followed by the branch and members of the Yellow River Ensemble singing "Nearer My God to Thee."  After his dad spoke, his parents sang "In the Hollow of Thy Hand" with Elder Tsai at the piano and their whole family singing the chorus.  Elder Tsai was the concluding speaker.

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Reunion Farm Activity

After the baptism for Brennan Zhao, we shifted focus and headed for the Foulger Farm at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain.  Guillermo and Betty Azucena prepared and grilled the delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken legs.  Outside the barn, many competed in the hula hoop, foot peg, and burlap sack races.  Little children enjoyed the water balloons and sprinklers.  Still others enjoyed tossing a football.  Ray Pratt made three trips for a hay ride in his truck.  At the end of the third run, we posed for a huge group photo.  Andrew Shen was the emcee for the evening and conducted the trivia contest.  Inside the barn, there were also dance activities.  After cleanup, as the evening sun was setting, a bonfire was built and Smores were shared.  Almost 200 people attended the farm activity tonight.

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Baptism of Brennan Zhao

It's hard to believe Brennan turned eight this June. Brennan has always been a outgoing talkative little guy. We are happy that he made the right decision to get baptized. On June 23rd, Brennan was baptized by his dad, Da, at the Kentlands Chapel. His grandma from Hong Kong and many relatives from father's side attended. Many friends from the branch came to support him also. We hope that with the Holy Ghost as his companion, he will remember to make righteous choices.

Da & Abbey Zhao

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Reunion Temple Activity

As a first, the temple presidency offered to hold a special prayer meeting before the Chinese endowment session.  About 25 people met in the chapel at 8:45am for the prayer.  Benjamin Tsai was asked to conduct the short meeting.  He led the small congregation in singing "I Am a Child of God" with Li-Fang Tsai at the organ.  Then President Brad Bryan taught us about the temple, while Bowei Zhu translated for him.  We then walked up to the endowment room.  About 40 people participated in the Mandarin endowment session.  It was an amazing outpouring of the Spirit.  Afterwards, we met in front for group photos.

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Reunion Primary Activity

The first activity of our 2012 branch reunion was the Primary activity held in the multi-purpose room of the Washington DC Stake Center.  This activity was concurrent with the temple activity, so the parents started bringing their children at around 8:15am.  Sherry Wei, assisted by Meili Shen and Ada Huang, conducted the activity.  After a breakfast of donuts, cupcakes, milk, juice, and fruit, the young women (Alice, Amanda, Amy, Emerald, Melinda) and Vincent assisted in the activities, consisting of games, a lesson on baptism, and making a gift for Brennan in preparation for his baptism (more on this in another article).  Afterwards, the children joined the adults for photos in front of the temple.  Thanks to the adults and youth who supervised this activity for the six Primary children that came.

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Baptism Activity

On the Friday evening before the reunion, a few of the youth and Sister Sun, a recent convert, participated in the baptism activity at the temple.

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Passing Away of Devin Landeen

The younger brother of our Elder Dylan Landeen, Devin Landeen, passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2012. With permission from Dylan and his mom, we would like to share this link with you. Please pass your thoughts and condolences to Dylan directly.

http://www.woodfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/WoodFu2/obit.cgi?user=654211Landeen#.T-7yElByIp1.email

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Final Announcement for Reunion

Brother, Sisters and Friends of the Montgomery Branch:

We would like to remind everyone that the Montgomery Chinese Branch will be celebrating its 20th anniversary during the weekend of June 23-24, 2012. We hope that you and your loved ones can join us.

Please the final schedule of events below:

1.      Mandarin Endowment Session (June 23. @ 8:45AM) – Washington, DC Temple

Please be dressed appropriately and report to the DC Temple’s chapel by 8:45 AM.  A concurrent primary activity is schedule in the DC Stake Center adjacent to the Temple.  Parents who wish to attend the endowment session may leave their children at the activity at 8:30.

2.      Branch Picnic (June 23 @ 4:00PM to 9:00PM) – Foulger Pratt Farm

Celebrate the 20^th Anniversary with a barbeque and picnic at the Foulger-Pratt Farm (direction below).  The Branch is providing the barbeque.  Attendees will please bring a picnic dish to share.

The address of the Foulger-Pratt Farm is 1101 Sugarloaf Mountain Road Dickerson MD 20842.  If you need directions please contact Ben Tsai.

3.      Church Service (June 24 @ 9:00AM) – Kentlands Chapel

We will be especially blessed to hear Elder Joshua Tsai’s mission farewell address, musical presentation by the Tsai Family, and our branch choir along with members from the Yellow River Ensemble (well known Chinese community chorus in the Washington, DC area will be singing to us.

4.      Closing Fireside (June 24 @ 6:15PM) – Kentlands Chapel

This will be a wonderful opportunity for past, present and future members of the branch to share their testimonies and express their feelings about the 20^th anniversary of the Montgomery Branch.

Light refreshments only will be served.

Other important events not officially part of the 20 anniversary celebration:

June 22 @ 6:00 PM – Proxy baptism @ the Washington, DC Temple

June 22 @ 6:00 PM  – Open house for Jessica Tsai and Henry Lin @ the Tsai residence

June 23 @ 1:00 PM – Baptism of Brennan Zhao – Kentlands Chapel

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Car Wash

On June 16, 2012, from 1pm to 4pm at the Potomac Chapel, the Branch will held a fundraising car wash to help defray the cost of attending the Church's Young Women's Camp.  Over 10 young people along with as many adults came to wash cars.  The weather was warm, but watermelons were provided to cool everyone down.  Everyone worked to make enough to send the girls to Girls Camp.

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Where Are They Now? ---> Kristina Jensen Harris

My name is Kristina Clarene Jensen Harris, better known in the branch as Zeng Jiemei. I was called to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Washington DC North mission at the Washington DC Temple Visitor's Center from December 2005 to June 2007, during which time I was blessed to serve for six months as companion to Sister Ouyang in the Montgomery Chinese Branch.

I absolutely love the members of the branch. As a missionary I was overcome by the love and kindness, the generosity, hospitality, and Christ-like service of so many of the members. Missionaries were treated like gold and respected as true servants of the Lord here more than anywhere else I can remember. I was inspired by the dedication and faith of branch members in reaching out to share the gospel with their families and friends. I knew that I had been called to serve in a very special place in the Lord's vineyard, and it is.

From the day we became companions, Sister Ouyang and I used to pray every night that we could be transferred into the Chinese branch. We petitioned our mission president, President Price, continually with this desire in our weekly letters. When the call finally came we were ecstatic with joy, knew it was a miracle, and worked each day with our all our might mind heart and strength to thank the Lord for the blessing. If only every person we met could have truly understood the immediate and eternal impact of the message of our Savior Jesus Christ which we so passionately shared; we dreamed of the branch doubling in just those few months we were there. We had such high hopes and such great aspirations, but the Lord had another plan in mind. He taught us the worth of the soul, which is great in His sight, and just one soul, Gu Shixuan, came into the fold during all of our labors. We spent countless hours visiting the less-active, teaching people in their homes, in the Asian markets, or in the streets. Of course in mortality we may never know all of the lives that were touched or the seeds that were planted, but perhaps the life that changed the most was my own.

While serving in the branch I developed a deep love and respect for all of God's children of the Orient, and for their culture. After returning from my mission I had a strong desire to follow Elder Holland's counsel to master my mission language. I changed my major from dance to Mandarin and graduated in April 2011 from Brigham Young University with my BA in Chinese. I feel that learning Chinese and finishing this degree is the hardest thing I have ever strived to accomplish thus far. As many may remember, the language has not come easy for me. Continuing to study Mandarin will continue to humble me for the rest of my life, but I find strength in knowing that this is the Lord's will.

I was sealed for time and all eternity in the St. George LDS Temple on April 6th 2009 to Jacob Michel Harris, the love of my life. Jacob took two semesters of Mandarin at BYU, he says it was to impress me and help win me over. The night we met I was writing characters on a white board preparing for a final when he jumped in and wrote his own three characters on the board asking if I knew what "Kai mi chu" meant. He said it meant "can I meet you?" I wrote him an answer back in characters which he obviously could not read; he was in way over his head. He had to use his cell phone to take a picture of the characters and use some sort of a translation device to decipher the message. Attempting to learn this language has been a fun part of our relationship, but on a more serious note we both strongly feel that the Lord has a plan for us that involves learning to more eloquently communicate in Mandarin; we plan and prepare to serve together as missionaries in China one day. We currently have a two year old son named Joseph who is the darling little light of our lives. I am teaching Joseph to speak in English and Mandarin simultaneously. I also volunteer to help out with the Chinese immersion program at the local elementary school near our home in Riverton, Utah. In addition I tutor four 2nd grade students in Chinese from our ward.

I love the gospel. I know this church is true. I know that the Lord knows and loves each of us individually. I am grateful to be a part of His great work. We are preparing the world for the Second Coming of the Messiah. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.

God bless,

Zeng Jiemei

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Baby Ly Boy

Jacob Ly was born to Greg & Mindy Ly on the morning of June 12, 2012.  He weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured at 21 inches long.  Congratulations to the Ly family on their new addition.

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Seminary Graduation

Melinda Tsai received her Seminary graduation certificate at the Washington DC Stake Center on June 10.  In addition, she served as the pianist and played a special musical number.  Steve and Betty Anderson were recognized as the Seminary teachers from our branch.  Congratulations, Melinda, on finishing Seminary.

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Relief Society Activity

The June Relief Society activity took place on Saturday, June 2, at the Kentlands Chapel.  Over 30 sisters participated in the activity.

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