7/14/49
July 7, 1949. The date Elder Matthew Cowley dedicated Hong Kong for the preaching of the gospel. This inscription is on a rock wall on a mountain known as Victoria Peak 'the Peak'. One clear sunny afternoon this month we decided to head up to The Peak and take a look at the view. Of course we had to make the pilgrimage to this dedication spot. It is a very scenic site near a lovely waterfall and overlooking the ocean below.
Waterfall near dedication site
View from dedication site
On the other side of the Peak one finds amazing views
of the skyscrapers of Hong Kong. A sample of the views we saw are
below.
The tall building on the left across the harbour is the ICC Tower - 4th tallest building in the world
Here are a couple of upscale residences on the Peak
View from the bus
On the tram
In the middle of the month Elders Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve, Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy and Bishop Davies of the Presiding Bishopric came to the Asia Area to do the annual area review. They visited Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and India where they created the first stake in the city of Hyderabad. They spent three full days in Hong Kong in devotionals/firesides/missionary meetings and meetings with the Area Presidency. We attended an area office staff devotional where they spoke and then a meeting with the missionaries of the Hong Kong Mission. We were invited to attend this mission meeting even though we are not attached to the Hong Kong Mission. We were asked to sit at the back and not ask any questions. Then that evening they and their wives spoke at a public fireside/devotional. It was a full house and the meeting was also broadcast to other buildings throughout Hong Kong. It was nice to hear their messages and to feel of their spirit.
Jolayne is in the Hong Kong International District Primary presidency. In May they held a temple activity for all the primary children in the district. It was held in the chapel across the street from the temple on a Saturday morning. They invited Stanley Wan to speak to the children about how President Hinckley revelation in choosing the temple site. Brother Wan was involved in the detailed site selection for the temple. Then they had 4 different activity stations and then took the kids across the street in smaller groups to the courtyard of the temple where the temple presidency and matrons talked to them about the temple. There were about 80 children who attended - so it was a successful event. Here are a few pics of the event,
We really enjoy our Friday evening temple assignment. It is always a nice end to our work week in the office. We enjoy the association with the local temple workers who are there each week. It is such an interesting experience to see how the ordinances get done in so many different languages.
Our district conference was held this month. Elder Gong of our Area Presidency was the visiting authority. At the beginning of the Saturday evening session after the first speaker the district president announced that Elder Gong would like to hear testimonies from 3 members of the congregation. As soon as he said that I had the prompting that I would be one of them - and I was. Fortunately, I was number 3 so I had a little time to gather my thoughts. I told the conversion story of my great-grandfather, Christian Hans Monson, who joined the Church as a young boy in Norway in the mid 1800's and was dis-owned by his family. I compared his story and courage to many in the Asia Area today who are gospel pioneers who have the courage to accept the gospel in spite of family and cultural opposition.
Jolayne had the assignment to give the thought at one of the Monday morning office staff devotionals during the month. She talked about making good choices and the importance of doing our research and studying things out in our minds before seeking the Lord's confirmation as we make choices and decisions in our lives. She did a great job.
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve!
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (Doctrine and Covenants 123:17
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