Four returned missionaries were invited to share 10 minute talk at the Branch Reunion Sacrament Meeting. The theme of this special Sacrament Meeting was "Remember What Great Things the Lord Hath Done for Us (in the Montgomery Chinese Branch)." Consistent with this theme, each speaker shared their thoughts and testimony, including notable events or accomplishments that occurred during their missionary service; stories about miracles, conversions, personal lessons, etc.; thoughts about the purpose of the Branch; and their testimony of God's work in the Branch and throughout the world.
Each of them spoke in Chinese, with the translation into English by Felipe & Petra Chou. Joshua Tsai was the pianist, and Sara Wertz was the music director. The Sacrament Meeting was conducted by Da Zhao.
The first speaker was John Lim, who served in the Branch spanning a period of almost 2.5 years (from December 2012 to April 2015). Hailing from Renton, Washington, then Elder Lim was instrumental in the conversions of Naichang Gong, Sarah Song, Sharon Xu, Paul & Celia Feng, and Jake Zhiqiang Lin. He shared the conversions of Sarah Song and Sharon Xu and the miracle of David Allen Chang. He concluded, "As we remember these tender mercies and the way that God has participated in this branch and in our lives, we return our hearts to His loving care. The greatest miracle of all is the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that He suffered and died for us, so that we might be saved from sin and death. He knows the growing pains of our souls and of this branch. He has power to deliver us from any trial. As we gather at this reunion and every week at Sacrament meeting, let’s remember the miracles we have experienced together."
Emily Lim, the wife of John Lim, then sang a beautiful rendition of "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul," (arranged by Rob Gardner) accompanied by Joshua Tsai.
The second speaker was Thomas Chiu, who served in the Branch from November 1999 to October 2001. He left Singapore for his mission in Washington, DC. Elder Chiu assisted in the conversions of Mingli Sun, Tingguang Hu, Xiurong Nie, Yue Tian, Erie Chang, Jennifer Chang, Julie Chang, and Amy Ye. He thanked the branch members for faith & faithfulness, humility, service, loving God and fellowmen, fellowshipping investigators, and giving them rides. "This branch is my personal 'waters of Mormon" because this is where I have come to the knowledge of my Redeemer. Some of my most precious memories from my time as a missionary here was to listen to people's first uttered prayers. Those are always so pure and sincere, like little children talking to their father for the first time. I have seen the gospel in action in your lives; the principles of the gospel are not just curriculum in Sunday school but part of everyday Christlike living. Testimonies of the Savior are not just words we speak from the pulpit but the driving force of righteous living."
The third speaker was Jack Shirts, who served in the Branch from November 2000 to October 2002. His hometown was Bountiful, Utah. Elder Shirts assisted in the conversions of Mary Zhang, Zhiwen Yang, Peifang Chen, Bernard & Mary Shiu, Linda Fu, Mindy Nhan, Jiang Du & Qing Zheng, Jinglan Hou, Tian'an Zhong, Hope Ti, and Yinghua Zhang. He likened Memorial Day unto the reunion in remembering the sacrifices and efforts of our branch pioneers. He shared the miraculous experience he had with Elder Peter Lin in finding Bernard & Mary Shiu. "I am eternally grateful for the blessing of serving as a missionary in this branch. It was here that I learned to speak Chinese, love Chinese food, Chinese culture, and most of all, my Chinese brothers and sisters. It was here that I started losing my hair... It was here that I deepened my faith, my conversion, and my love for the Savior. For these reasons, returning to the branch is not just special and nostalgic to me, but is also very sacred. I'm so grateful for my testimony of the Savior. I testify that he lives. He came to earth, lived a perfect life, completed his atonement for us and overcame sin and death."
The Branch choir sang "My Peace I Give Unto You" by Janice Kapp Perry. Eric Nelson was the narrator, and Joshua Tsai sang the male solo. The choir was conducted by Li-Fang Tsai, with Richard Huang as the accompanist.
The fourth speaker was Caleb Wertz, who served in the Branch from April 1999 to March 2001. He was sent out on his mission from Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Elder Wertz assisted in the conversions of Mingli Sun, Yang Gao, Xiaoxuan Ji, Yue Tian, Erie Chang, Jennifer Chang, Julie Chang, Alvin Ye, and John Huang. He shared several experiences on his mission: his first discussion with Sister Tsai, setting up the English Class in College Park, teaching Kairong Cui, and drinking water with the ambassador of China. He left this testimony: "I am very grateful for your help to us missionaries. I really appreciated your love and support. I know God lives. I know we are his children. He loves us. I know that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so would believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life."
Although unusually long, the Branch Reunion Sacrament Meeting was certainly a blessing for the 80+ people in attendance. The talks were a spiritual feast and reminded us of the great blessings God has given to us through the Branch. The four missionaries who spoke were representative of all of the 130 missionaries who have served in the Branch and shared with us their special missionary experiences and their love for the Savior. Thanks to each of our alumni for returning and participating in this memorable Sacrament Meeting.
