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12/19/2020

Christmas Party

Tonight Wesley Wei conducted the first ever virtual Branch Christmas party. He organized a full hour of activities and messages. Here is a report from Wesley:

2020年12月19日晚上7点,耶稣基督后期圣徒教会蒙哥马利分会举行了线上圣诞晚会。有许多朋友都来参加了晚会。我们一开始先玩了一个游戏,根据图片猜圣诞歌曲,玩完之后我们一起听了几首圣诞歌曲。游戏结束后,我们听了我们分会初级会的小朋友们为圣诞节准备的歌曲。接下来我们听了长老们分享的关于圣诞的讯息,接着听了长老们演奏的大提琴萨克斯风合奏和尤克里里独唱。我们还收到了从我们分会出去传教的蔡姐妹的问候视频。最后我们观看了为感谢在我们教会服务的传教士们而制作的视频。

At 7pm on December 19, 2020, the Montgomery Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held an online Christmas party. Many friends came to the party. We played a game at the beginning (created by Sister Mindy Ly originally for a Primary activity) and guessed the Christmas songs based on the pictures. After the game, we listened to a few Christmas songs from the game together. Then the Fugal children sang "Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus." The Ly children performed "Picture a Christmas." Narrations were provided by Joanna Fugal and Cayleigh Zhao. Next, the full-time missionaries shared Christmas messages. Elders Thorpe and Munk played "Angels We Have Heard on High" on the saxophone and cello, while Elder Welton sang "Ring Out, Wild Bells" while playing on the ukelele. Sister Megan Tsai, currently serving in Layton, Utah, sent a Christmas video greeting from her and her companion. Finally, we watched a video made to thank the six missionaries who are serving in our Branch now and the three missionaries from our Branch serving out in the field.

Links to YouTube videos:
Primary song
Violin & Saxophone Duet
Ring out, Wild Bells
To Missionaries

12/12/2020

Primary Christmas Activity


On December 12, 2020, the Primary held a Christmas activity.  They created nativity scene on a glass and made reindeer from candy cane and pipe cleaners.  In response to the prophet President Nelson's message of gratitude, each child was provided a mini journal to write/draw things that they are thankful for each day. 

 





11/01/2020

New Meeting Schedule

Beginning today, the Montgomery Chinese Branch, under the guidance of the stake presidency, will begin Phase 2 of the Church re-opening for Sacrament Meetings.  Accordingly, every Sunday at 9am from now on, an in-person Sacrament Meeting will be held in the Kentlands Chapel from 9:00am to 9:35am, with a maximum of 50 people.  The online Zoom channel will still be broadcast at the same time.

At 9:35am, the brothers and sisters who are at the chapel will log off the Zoom meeting to receive the Sacrament. If you plan to come to church to partake the Sacrament, please prepare ahead and arrive on time. If you are in the high risk group, or have health concerns, or are not feeling well, we encourage you not to come to the church building, and instead continue attending our on-line Zoom meetings.

After Sacrament, we are to travel home and start Sunday School (Elders Quorum, Relief Society, etc) meetings at 10:30am.  All second hour meetings are held virtually.

Today Sacrament Meeting proceeds as planned.  Elders Thorpe recently arrived from Springville, Utah, and our very own Elder Richard Huang delivered their excellent gospel sermons today.  In addition to being the first in-person meeting to be held on a weekly basis, the Sacrament program was made available today for the first time since the pandemic begin.

10/31/2020

Young Women/Primary Halloween Activity

The morning of Halloween, the Primary and Young Women had a combined Zoom activity. The morning started by opening special pumpkin packages filled with candy, toys, glowsticks, and other treats. Together, the Primary children and Young Women made scratch-off masks, decorated Halloween ornaments, folded origami owl bookmarks, and created Oreo bats, Oreo spiders, and marshmallow and Rice Krispies monsters. The children had fun putting everything together and enjoyed all the party favors and candy on this special Halloween day.

Melinda Tsai, Young Women President
Mindy Ly, Primary President









10/24/2020

Missionary Farewell Fireside

Over six years have passed since the Montgomery Chinese Branch had three missionaries serving at the same time. After Elder Richard Huang entered the MTC on October 14, the Montgomery Chinese Branch now has three full-time missionaries. Last year October, Elder Kevin Wu started his mission in the Massachusetts Boston Mission. In September 2020, Sister Megan Tsai also begin her MTC training. By the way, these are the first three missionaries from our Branch receiving virtual training from the MTC.

Sister Tsai has been called to the Taiwan Taichung Mission but will first go to the Utah Layton Mission to await her visa to Taiwan. Elder Huang has been called to California Arcadia Mission. Both will finish their training and leave for their missions in about ten days. President Nathan Sheets attended and presided at this fireside, but he had to leave early for another meeting. So after he left, President Charles Huang presided. Brother John Huang provided the translation for this evening.

Brother Da Zhao, first counselor in the Branch presidency, conducted the missionary farewell fireside tonight for the two missionaries.  After the opening hymn, “I Am a Child of God,” Sister Meiling Jiang offered the invocation. The Ly children in a prerecorded video performed “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission” with song, piano, and violin.  The following teachers and leaders spoke to and about Sister Tsai and Elder Huang: Brother Ben Tsai, Primary and Seminary teacher; President Nathan Sheets, Washington DC Stake President; Sister Shanshan Ward, Young Women President; Brother Matt Ward, Young Men 1st Counselor; Sister Lauren Ning, Young Women President; and Brother Cary Ning, Young Men President.

We watched a slideshow showcasing Elder Richard Huang, after which Sister Sara Huang shared a few remarks about her son. We then watched a slideshow featuring Sister Megan Tsai, after which Sister Li-Fang Tsai shared a few remarks about her daughter.

Next, Sister Tsai and Elder Huang delivered their long awaited remarks and shared their testimonies with us.

Then President Huang addressed the missionaries as Elder Huang's father and as the father of our Branch. Finally, we listened to the Fugal children singing “I Will Be What I Believe," after which Isaiah Shen offered the benediction.

Many teachers and leaders have influenced our two missionaries, including 6 or 7 Young Men and Young Women presidencies, a couple of Branch presidencies, as well as leaders from the Kentlands Ward. A few of them offered words of tribute and advice for the two missionaries.

But the most influential person in the live of each missionary is undoubtedly his or her mother. Helaman’s stripling warriors testified, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” “... they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.” (Alma 56:48, 47) It was very touching to hear words from the persons closest to the missionaries.

The roles of the branch president and the stake president are very critical. Besides administrative duties, they have helped guide the missionaries spiritually in preparing for missionary service. We thank President Sheets for his remarks to and for his support of the missionaries. We are also grateful to President Charles Huang for all of the time and energy he has spent on behalf of the youth.

Much preparation have been exerted by these two missionaries for their missionary service. They have worked very hard to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually throughout their lives. They have received intense high quality training from the Missionary Training Center. In ten days, they will depart for their mission fields to start sharing the gospel with others.

Congratulations, Sister Tsai and Elder Huang, on your callings to serve the Lord and His children. May the Lord bless you and protect you and guide you throughout your missionary service! May He bless with many sheaves, his peace and protection, and personal memorable experiences and lessons that will help you in your future service in His Kingdom. God speed!













Baptism Chang Feng

Today is the second baptism under pandemic conditions. Elder Lambert conducted the baptismal service at the Kentlands Chapel with 5 people present. After the opening song, "When I Am Baptized," Sister Dan-ping Wang offered the invocation. Sister Li-Fang Tsai shared the talk on baptism, followed by Sister Ella Chong giving the talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. Elder Welton then performed the baptism for Sister Chang Feng. President Charles Huang then confirmed Sister Ella Chong with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then Sister Feng shared her testimony with us. Sister Abbey Zhao welcomed her into the Relief Society. The benediction was offered by Sister Megan Tsai.

Sister Feng has been attending our branch for about a year. We really appreciate her faithfulness in Jesus Christ. Congratulations, Sister Feng. You are our newest member today!




10/14/2020

Elder Huang Begins MTC Training

On Wednesday, October 14 at 8pm, Elder Richard Huang officially began his MTC training as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Huang will train until early November, when he is scheduled to fly to his mission field in Aracdia California. Officially, he becomes the 15th missionary sent out from the Montgomery Chinese Branch. Congratulations, Elder Huang, on beginning your missionary service, and thank you for your service.

10/10/2020

Moon Festival Activity

With the COVID pandemic still rampant, the Montgomery Branch held its first ever Mid-Autumn Moon Festival activity. At 7pm on October 10, Adam Fugal conducted the event on Zoom with 27 windows opened. President Charles Huang gave an enthusiastic welcome to all in attendance. After an invocation by Elder Lambert, one of our 5 full-time missionaries in our Branch, a video of previous Branch Moon Festival parties was shown, set to the music of two hymns and two popular Chinese Moon Festival songs. The full-time missionaries conducted two rounds of scripture Bingo, using Book of Mormon scriptures and Old Testament scriptures. Then President Charles Huang shared a family video, in which he shared a scripture from Moroni 6:2-6 and applied the principle of unity to our Branch family.  Richard Huang recited a Tang poem by Li Bai (李白) entitled "Reflections on a Quite Evening" (靜夜思). This was followed by a video from the Fugal family who danced to the music of Macarena. Sister Yangyang Deng shared an animated video of the process of drawing Chang E using PaintToolSAI software. Sister Wang Danping explained story of Chang E in English. Then Yangyang demonstrated how to create a "Chinese paper-cut flower" using origami. The Tsai family shared a video, featuring all of their children far and wide with their wishes to Branch members. The benediction was given by Sister Gaoyang Yang, a former missionary in our Branch.

Although we were not allowed to gather physically and give handshakes and embraces, although we were not able to feast together and socialize in person, and although we were not privileged to enjoy the moon or moon cakes together, the Branch presidency created an excellent program which exceeded all expectations. Several surprises delighted participants. The personal family videos exuded a personal touch from the lives of Branch members and shared personal perspectives of eternal families. We had a lot of fun participating in the missionary activity with the scripture Bingo. Yangyang's two activities emphasized the deep cultural traditions of the moon festival and was also fun and engaging. Above all, the most worthwhile part of this activity was the opportunity to see and hear each other, both current members and those members who were once part of our Branch years ago. Happy Moon Festival to all.


"Chang E and the Moon" created by Yangyang Deng in PaintToolSAI










10/03/2020

2020-09-29 MCB RS Moon cake making activity - online

Because of COVID, we held a virtual moon making activity this year on Tuesday night September 29. Sister Betty Azucena was so kind to teach us how to make Suzhou mooncakes, the same type that we have been making in prior years for our Mid-Autumn Festival activities. She purchased all of the ingredients. Sister YangYang Deng and Brother Wesley Wei helped pack the ingredients in separate zip lock bags. Most of the sisters picked up the ingredients on Sunday, and some packages were dropped off to sisters' houses. We had twelve sisters joined us, two of them from our Stake Relief Society Presidency, Sisters Debra Munk and Diane Titensor. Children from Ly family, Fugal family, Zhao family and Tsai family also joined us in making mooncakes. Beside Suzhou mooncakes, some sisters also made Cantonese mooncakes and Snowskin mooncakes and shared with others. More than 200 mooncakes were made and over 100 mooncakes were delivered to other members and investigators by our missionaries and brothers and sister. Thank you all for participating and making this an unforgettable experience.

Sister Abbey Zhao




























9/06/2020

Sister Tsai Begins MTC Training

On Wednesday, September 2 at 8pm, Sister Megan Tsai officially began her MTC training as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It seems quite odd that this momentous event would begin at 8pm, but you might have guessed. Sister Tsai is the first missionary from our Branch to attend a virtual MTC experience after the COVID crisis began earlier this year. Parenthetically, Elder Kevin Wu is actually the first missionary from our Branch to attend a virtual MTC experience, but that was before the COVID crisis. So, since most of the missionaries in her MTC district live in Utah, the opening class was actually from 6pm to 9pm in Utah, thus resulting in a 8pm to 11pm class for Sister Tsai. She actually is not complaining, because her situation is not so bad compared to the missionary from Hawaii, who has to wake up at 4am for the morning class.

Sister Tsai will train until early November, when she is scheduled to fly to her mission field in Taichung, Taiwan. Officially, she becomes the 14th missionary sent out from the Montgomery Chinese Branch. Congratulations, Sister Tsai, on beginning your missionary service, and thank you for your service.

8/16/2020

First In-Person Sacrament Meeting 08/16/2020

Today marks two firsts in the history of the Branch. On Sunday, August 16, 2020, the Branch held its in-person Sacrament Meeting since March. The fact that it was held in the Kentlands Chapel was significant, since we have not held meetings and activities in the Kentlands Chapel since the mold infestation in September 2019.
Brother Adam Fugal wearing the required mask conducted the Sacrament Meeting with President Charles Huang presiding. Thorpe, still in the MTC and due to come to Maryland in September, offered the invocation. After the opening hymn, "Rejoice, the Lord is King," Brother Jason Wang blessed their first baby girl, Isabella, with the branch presidency and Brother Bendall assisting. She is the first infant blessed since COVID-19 started. Then the video camera and sound were turned off for ten minutes for the administration of the Sacrament ordinance. President Huang blessed the Sacrament while Brennan Zhao passed. The special invited speaker was Michael Chang, former missionary elder in our branch from 2008 to 2010. Brother Adam Fugal offered the benediction. In attendance today were Elder and Sister Sudweeks, former missionaries in our branch in 2016 and who knew Jason and Charlene Wang very well.

7/12/2020

Baptism of Ella Chong

Today marked another historical event in the history of the Branch. Due to the pandemic, today's baptismal service for Sister Ella Chong is the first virtual baptismal service in the Branch. Only 6 people were allowed to attend the service today in the Potomac Chapel (from left to right in first photo): Ella Chong, Luke Chong, President Charles Huang (not shown; taking the photo), Elder Lambert, Elder Welton, and Elder Barton.  At 2pm, Elder Barton conducted the baptismal service and it was streamed by Zoom to about 30 other computers.  After singing the hymn "Come, Follow Me," Sister Sara Huang offered the invocation.  The talks on baptism and on the gift of the Holy Ghost were presented by Sister Abbey Zhao and President Charles Huang, respectively.  Brother Luke Russell, the nephew of Sister Ella Chong, performed the baptismal ordinance for Ella.  Luke recently returned from serving a full-time mission in the California Los Angeles Mission.  After an interlude, President Huang confirmed Ella as a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Then Ella shared her brief testimony to all of us.  She was welcomed to the Relief Society by Sister Betty Azucena and to the Branch by President Huang.  After we sang "The Spirit of God," Sister Changping Feng offered the benediction.  Attending were former full-time missionaries in the Branch, Oakley Statham and Jared McGhie.  Congratulations, Ella, and welcome to our Branch!






5/20/2020

Baby Girl for Jason and Charlene Wang

On May 20, 2020, a beautiful girl was born to Charlene and Jason Wang 王春艳和王俊杰.  Their baby girl was given the name of Isabella Wang, with a Chinese name 王恩琪.  At birth, she weighed in at 6 pounds 9 ounces and measured 19.5".  Thanks to the help of many sisters and brothers, the baby and mother (and father) are well and healthy.  Congratulations, Charlene and Jason, for your baby girl!


4/19/2020

First Online Branch Devotional



Looking back in time, 2020 will be regarded as a new era in human history caused by the COVID-19 crisis. It will be remembered as the age of social distancing, quarantines, stay-at-home orders (issued on March 30, 2020, in Maryland), teleworking, and the dominance of Zoom in our every day lives. In our Church, images of General Conference with our prophet and leaders sitting spaced apart by 6 feet and addressing an empty room will be forever impressed on our minds. Indeed, our first Branch meeting suspended was Sunday, March 15, 2020. The first online Relief Society meeting took place on April 5, and the first baby online shower for Charlene Wang was held on April 11. Patrick & Meili Shen created the first online Sunday School lesson and posted it on the Branch YouTube site. In March 2020, the first ever Elders Quorum and Relief Society presidency meetings were held online. The Branch Presidency meetings, Branch Council meetings, and Seminary classes began to be held in March as well, but these meetings were held online first 5 or 10 years ago.

And now today, April 19, 2020, the first Branch Sacrament Meeting was held. Intense preparation and time were needed to realize the first Montgomery Branch devotional with 31 Zoom logins. There was no Sacrament ordinance and no young men administering the Sacrament, no music director or pianist, and no printed Sacrament bulletin. Brother Da Zhao spent much time in spearheading the setting up of a Zoom meeting. Much thought and planning and testing went into setting up a phone line for English translation provided by John Huang and a second phone line for members without Internet to dial in. In addition, the chat conversations were being monitored and answered by Wesley and Yangyang Wei.

Instead of a music director, pianist, and an actual piano, Da Zhao played the music for the closing hymn. Da also coordinated the whole Zoom session, including muting and unmuting everyone at the appropriate time. After the Branch business, Brother Wesley Wei shared an inspiring talk about the importance of prophets in his life. After the closing prayer, folks lingered for almost an hour to socialize on Zoom.

It was just amazing to crowd into a small virtual chatroom for the important purpose of gathering to worship the Lord on this special day. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) We felt that confirmation today during the prayers, the song, and the talk. We are so lucky to gather in online holy places to worship on the Sabbath day. We are so grateful for the freedom to worship and for the opportunity to spend more time with our families. As President Nelson recently reminded us, "That gospel provides certain hope and help to a troubled world. And I promise that you will receive comfort and peace as you continue to hear Him."

Program
Presiding: President Charles Huang
Conducting: President Charles Huang
Translator: John Huang
Zoom coordinator: Da Zhao
Chat coordinator: Wesley & Yangyang Wei
Pre-meeting social chat
Welcome: President Charles Huang
Opening Prayer: Elder Barton
Branch Business
Speaker: Wesley Wei
Closing Hymn: "I Know that My Redeemer Lives", Chinese 76, English 136
Closing Prayer: Elder Welton
Online Linger Longer

1st Announcement

兄弟姐妹,

很久不見面, 我們很想念您,希望這個星期天能在網上見到你們。我們向您問安。雖然我們無法親自到教堂舉行聚會,但我們決定每週進行一次線上聚會,以便我們獲得一些精神糧食並互相支持。 每周線上聚會將從這個星期日(4月19日)開始,並將在每個星期日早晨10:30舉行。 線上聚會將會有開會詩歌和祈禱,然後進行演講,全程約30分鐘。 我們將透過電話進行翻譯。

每個星期日請大家提早10分鐘登入,以確定您能參加線上聚會。請給自己一些時間來下載和安裝軟件,然後單擊鏈接 。 如果您有技術上的問題,請您在聚會之前聯絡我們。

分會會長團


Brothers and Sisters,

We miss seeing you all in person and we miss you. While we are unable to meet in person for our church meetings, we have decided to do a weekly devotional online so that we can receive some spiritual nourishment and support each other. The weekly devotionals will start this Sunday, April 19, and will be held every Sunday morning on Zoom meeting at 10:30 AM. It will last for about 30 minutes. There will be an opening song and opening prayer, followed by a talk.

Translation will be available via a separate dial in number. To make sure everything is smooth for the first Zoom meeting, please give yourself time to download and install the software by clicking on the link to ensure you won't miss our virtual meeting. If you have any technical issue, please contact us ahead of the meeting.

The Branch Presidency

2nd Announcement

兄弟姐妹:

為了確保線上聚會的安全,我們更新了一些線上聚會登入信息,請您使用下列的信息登入線上聚會。聚會在明天早晨10:30開始,請大家提早10分鐘登入,以確定您能參加線上聚會。如果您有技術上的問題,請您在聚會之前聯絡我們。明天的開會詩歌為”76 我知道救主活著”,您可以事先準備。

分會會長團


Brothers and Sisters,

To improve meeting security, we update some meeting information as shown below. Please use the updated information for our meeting. We will start the devotional at 10:30 am. Please try to join the meeting 10 minutes before the meeting starts to ensure you can participate in the Zoom meeting. If you have any technical issue, please contact us ahead of the meeting. The opening hymn will be “136 I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” Please prepare your hymn music sheet before the meeting.

The Branch Presidency

3/07/2020

Special Branch Temple Trip

救主对我们每个人的祝福都有他的计划以及时间表,这个见证最近在我心里变得 尤其的强烈。2020年3月7日,对我来说是非常重要和难忘的一天。这一天我在费城的 圣殿接受了自己的恩道门,同时和我的妻子Charlene印证为永恒的夫妻。这一天对我 的意义不仅仅在于在这一天我接受了这神的更高的教仪以及与神订立了圣约,它对我 的意义或许更多的是通向这一天的路上神向我展示的他的大能,他应许于我的祝福以 及他永远都那么合理的时间表。

在2019年的年底,我度过了一段时间的灵性黑暗期。我似乎开始变得骄傲,因为 我无所求,所以也厌倦了每日都差不多的祷告。在接受洗礼后一年就可以去接受恩道 门-那神给人类儿女的最高的教仪,然而却因为我的内心缺乏灵性,我告诉我自己以及 会长:我不想要去圣殿,我不想接受恩道门。其实,那个时候我还不知道恩道门是什 么,但是撒旦在我身上的做工起效了,他将他的黑暗工作散布到了我身上,可能会一 直拖我到完全毁灭及无尽的地狱。但是,正如马太福音18章12-14节所讲 “一个人若有 一百只羊,一只走迷了路,你们的意思如何?他岂不撇下这九十九只,往山里去找那 只迷路的羊吗?若是找着了,我实在告诉你们:他为这一只羊欢喜,比为那没有迷路 的九十九只欢喜还大呢。你们在天上的父也是这样,不愿意这小子里失丧一个。” 天父 不会放弃任何一个迷路的羔羊。我庆幸有Charlene的陪伴,会长团以及兄弟姐妹们强 大灵性的感染,让我重新找回了我的信心。我甚至开始变得迫不及待,我想要很快去圣 殿,接受那教仪,我想要与神订立那圣约,因为我知道,遵守这圣约神会应许我及我 的家人更多的祝福。

去圣殿的前两天,由于新冠病毒疫情的影响,考虑到Charlene怀孕,我又动摇了 ,我问了Charlene要不要取消去圣殿的计划,我也跟黄会长说了我的担心。Charlene建 议我去做一个禁食祷告,求问天父给我答案,让我能够做出正确的决定。于是在去圣 殿的前一天我禁食了,我谦虚的求问神,我应不应该取消这次的圣殿之旅。这一次不 仅要接受我自己的恩道门,更是我和Charlene印证为永恒夫妻的日子,我知道一旦我 取消,在宝宝出生之前我们不会有机会去再去弥补。如果不取消,我又担心Charlene 和宝宝的健康问题。我左右为难之际,我选择把我的困惑告诉天父,我告诉他为了这 次恩道门及印证,我们已经准备很久,我们也做好了准备。我求问天父我们因该怎么 办?天父给了我答案,他没有直接告诉我: Jason 你应该要去, 但是他坚硬了我和 Charlene的信心,我们俩个在没有经过任何商量之后竟然同时告诉对方:我们应该去 。我相信这是天父在做工,我相信这是他给我们传递的答案,我知道天父从开始就为 我预备好了道路,他会怜悯和看护好我们每一个人,只要我们有信心去跟随他,继续 走在他为我们铺好的道路上。

接受自己的恩道门,我考虑了很久,觉得自己还没有准备好,说实话那时候最不 能理解的是接受了恩道门就要一辈子穿着加门,我害怕自己不能持之以恒,那时我也 不知道穿加门的真正意义。直到我学习完了圣殿准备课程之后,才真正明白了为什么 要去圣殿做自己的恩道门,增强了我去圣殿接受恩道门的信心,每一节课都让我受益 匪浅,让我灵性上有很大的提升,让我渴望走进主的殿。所以我特别感谢给我上圣殿 准备课程的老师Abbey姐妹和赵达致弟兄的教导,他们教给我如何更好的走天父为我 们铺好的道路,怎样能更好的跟随耶稣基督,并且分享了他们对耶稣基督的见证。

之前有去过费城的圣殿,但是这次我却有一点点紧张,因为是自己的恩道门,担 心某些环节做不够好,其实我根本不用担心和忧虑,在圣殿里工作人员们都很热情, 他们很有耐心很认真的帮我完成每一个项目。我才明白了天父制订的伟大事工是多么 的完美,主的殿里充满了灵,指引我来与主再次立约,并接受神的能力的恩赐和祝福 ,最让我感受到圣灵的时刻是当我看到幔子的时候,当时感觉离天父越来越近了,我 就在天父的脚下,他的光完全照耀着我。 我要感谢伟大慈爱的天父给我制定的时间表 ,让我能在这个特殊的时期完成自己的恩道门和印证。感谢天父的看顾,让我们去圣 殿的弟兄姐妹们都平安顺利的返回到家。感谢天父让我们平安健康的生活在世间,感 谢耶稣基督为我们的赎罪与复活,为我们提供了道路,让我们有机会回到神的面前与 他同住,也让我们能和心爱的人永远在一起。感谢中文分会有那么多好的弟兄姐妹们 一直以来对我的家庭的照顾和支持,也特别感谢这次和我一起去圣殿的弟兄姐妹,感 谢他们的一路陪伴。我这样说是奉您子耶稣基督之名,阿门!

王俊杰


The Savior’s blessings to each of us are granted according to his plan and timetable. This testimony has recently become lodged very firmly in my heart. March 7, 2020, was a very important and memorable day for me. On that day in the Philadelphia temple, I received my personal endowment and was sealed to my wife Charlene as an eternal couple. The significance of this day to me is not only that I accepted God's higher ordinance and made a holy covenant with God. But on this day, God showed me His will, promising me blessings according to such a reasonable schedule.

At the end of 2019, I entered a period of spiritual darkness. I seemed to be growing proud because I asked God for nothing and I was tired of praying every day. One year after being baptized, we can receive our own endowment, the highest ordinance given to man by God. But because of a lack of spirituality in my heart, I told myself and the branch president: I don't want to go to the temple. I don't want to receive my endowment. Actually, I did not know what an endowment was at that time. However, Satan kept working on me and spread his dark work to me, dragging me to total destruction and endless hell. But, as Matthew 18:12-14 says, "if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." Heavenly Father will not give up on any lost lamb. I am fortunate to be accompanied by Charlene and to receive the spiritual influence of the branch president and my brothers and sisters. They have helped me regain my confidence. I even started to become impatient, and I wanted to go to the temple soon to accept the ordinance and to make that covenant with God, because I knew that by keeping this covenant, God promises me and my family great blessings.

Two days before going to the temple, due to the Coronavirus epidemic and considering that Charlene was pregnant, I was shaken again. I asked Charlene if she wanted to cancel the plans to go to the temple. I also told President Huang my concerns. Charlene suggested that I fast and pray and ask Heavenly Father for the answer so that I could make the right decision. So I fasted the day before the temple trip. I asked God humbly if I should cancel this temple trip. This temple trip was not only to receive my endowment, but it was was the day when Charlene and I would sealed as an eternal couple. I knew that if I canceled this time, we would not have another opportunity before the baby was born. If I did not cancel, I worried about the health of Charlene and the baby. During this dilemma, I chose to tell my Heavenly Father about my confusion and that we had been preparing for the endowment and sealing for a long time, and that we are also ready. I asked Heavenly Father what should we do. Heavenly Father gave me the answer. He didn't tell me directly, "Jason, you should go," but he strengthened Charlene's and my faith. The two of us even told each other at the same time without any discussion that we should go. I believe this is the work of Heavenly Father. I believe this is the answer he is passing to us. I know that Heavenly Father has been preparing the way for me from the beginning. If we only have faith to follow Him and to continue on the path he has paved for us.

Accepting my own endowment, I thought about it for a long time and felt that I was still not ready. To be honest, the thing that I could not understand at that time was that we had to wear temple garments our whole life after accepting our endowment. I was afraid that I could not be persistent in wearing temple garments. At that time, I did not know the true meaning of temple garments. Only after I finished the temple preparation course did I really understand why I went to the temple to receive my own endowment. The course strengthened my confidence in receiving the endowment. Each lesson benefited me a lot and greatly improved my spirituality, causing me to long to go to the Lord's temple. So I am especially grateful to the teachers who taught me the Temple Preparation course, Brother and Sister Dazhi and Abbey Zhao. They taught me how to better follow the path paved by Heavenly Father for us and how to better follow Jesus Christ. They shared their testimony of Jesus Christ.

I have been visited the Philadelphia Temple before. Yet, this time I was a little nervous, because I was receiving my own endowment and was worried that things would not go well. Actually I did not need to worry at all. The staff in the temple were very enthusiastic. They were very patient and diligent in helping along each step. Only then did I understand how perfect the great ministry instituted by the Father is. The temple of the Lord is full of the Spirit, guiding me to make covenants again with the Lord and to accept the gift and blessing of God’s power. The moment that made me most feel the Holy Spirit was when I saw the veil, when I felt closer and closer to Heavenly Father. Then I was at the feet of Heavenly Father, and His light completely shone on me. I would like to thank the great and loving Heavenly Father for the timetable that has been set up for me so that I can receive my endowment and sealing at this special time. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your care. Let us all go to the temple to return home safely and smoothly. I thank Heavenly Father for allowing us to live in peace and good health in the world. I thank Jesus Christ for the Atonement and Resurrection, for providing us with a way to return to God ’s presence and to be with our loved ones forever. I thank the Chinese branch for so many good brothers and sisters who have always taken care of and supported my family. I especially thank my brothers and sisters who went to the temple with me this time. Thanks for their company. I say this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Jason Wang

3/01/2020

2020-03-01 Ning's farewell