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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