The purpose of the reunion was to remember the great blessings the Lord has provided for the Branch and all of its members, now and then. To that end, the Sunday evening fireside provided an intimate setting for the past branch presidents and the current branch president to lead us into memory lane and share with us their remembrances and testimony.
To start the fireside, the current and sixth branch president, President Charles Huang, shared his conversion and decision to attend the branch with his family. He said, "This branch is a blessed, special place in God’s plan. We have wonderful brothers and sisters willing to serve. We have a supportive stake leadership. We have a beautiful temple so close to us. We are blessed to use the language we are familiar with to learn and share the gospel. I am so proud of being part of the branch." Da Zhao prepared a special slideshow of missionaries and converts, set to music.
Next, Patrick Shen, the fifth branch president, discussed the concept of pioneers in the church and in the Branch. "Like the pioneers of the early days, the members of the Montgomery Branch also embarked on an important journey. We are part of something very important to in the restoration of the Gospel in the latter days as we fulfill the Lord’s commandment in Mark 16:15 to, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.' I am blessed to be part of this branch, and to work alongside all of you for building of the Lord’s Kingdom."
It was a pleasure to listen to the October 1980 General Conference talk by Sister Mary Foulger entitled, "Motherhood and the Family." In the 6-minute talk, she outlined her advice to mothers and encouraged them to be the best mothers possible.
Then, Benjamin Tsai, the fourth branch president, shared how his family found the Branch 24 years ago. He expressed his gratitude for the examples, miracles, missionaries, and branch presidents in the Branch in the past 25 years. He paid special tribute to Brother and Sister Foulger. " I testify that this is the work of God and not of man. If we serve God with all our heart, if we endure to the end, we will be blessed with a greater understanding of His work. May God bless the Chinese people that they have many opportunities to receive his gospel and participate in his ordinances in their own language."
Accompanied by Joshua Tsai on the piano and Caleb Wertz on the guitar, a combined group of present and past missionaries (Elder Anderson, Thomas Chiu, Adam Fugal, John Lim, Elder Shih, Jack Shirts, Caleb Wertz, Adele Connor Young) sang the special missionary song "We Are All Missionaries," sung at every reunion since 2002. This swinging song features 2 verses from a Chinese song entitled "We Are All Good Friends," adapted especially to the subject of missionary work in Chinese.
Finally, Vince Breglio, the first branch president spoke. He shared the experience of the branch was organized and how he was called to be the first branch president. He recounted the contributions of this Branch to the world in providing faithful members and leaders to other parts of the US and into the whole world. Using the analogy of the frog who refused an invitation to explore the new world above the well, he said that members and missionaries of this branch left their comfortable surroundings to help build up the kingdom in the Branch. He asked his wife, Susan, to share a few words. She shared her love of working with the youth of the Branch and testified that "Children give us gifts that cannot counted. Though it be small, it is most often everything they have." Vince, taking back the microphone, then listed many "firsts" that occurred in the early days of the branch. He concluded by saying that "The Gospel is filling the world and I am convinced that members of this Branch will be a large part of taking the fullness of the Gospel to China."
The branch choir, led by Li-Fang Tsai and accompanied by Richard Huang, sang "Old Irish Blessing" and "God Be With You." The audience joined in singing the last verse of "God Be With You."
After the benediction, a group photo was taken, and all enjoyed the Branch birthday cake. The fireside was translated by the team of Jack Shirts and Thomas Chiu. Over 60 people attended the fireside. President Clayton Foulger and his wife, Marla, along with Brent & Meg Pratt, were special guests at the fireside, representing the Foulger & Pratt families.
The fireside was a feast of historical facts and spiritual testimonies of the miracle of the Montgomery Branch. Each branch president, as with each member, possessed and shared tonight a story of how they came to the Branch, how they served the Branch, and how they were benefitted by the Branch. The history of the Branch is in reality a total sum of the histories of each member and leader in the Branch. The impacts, past & present & future, are difficult to visualize and can only be ascertained by a long term assessment of the all blessings and miracles, past & future, for every member in every locale, wherever they may be. The fireside was just a peek into this assessment and helped us to realized and understand a little portion of the influence of our beloved missionaries, leaders, and members.
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