Came to Hong Kong

They stayed in Hong Kong for four months, during which time no progress was made and they therefore decided to go into the mainland. It was at that time during the upheaval of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The whole southern China was in turmoil. Their journey was thus held up. As they did not know the language and see any reasons for staying in this hostile land, they soon returned to Hong Kong to get on with their work in the colony. However, a few accepted their message. In the latter part of the year of 1853, they returned to America. On 10 April 1854, the First Presidency of the church indicated in their 11th document that there had been no success in China. The plan to send missionaries to China was subsequently shelved for almost a century.

Between the years 1920 and 1921, the apostle Elder David O. MCKAY and President George Q. CANNON of the Liberty Stake traveled round the world to inspect church schools and missions. They arrived in Beijing, China on 8 January 1921. In his journal, President George Q. CANNON wrote, “Under the prompting of the Spirit, Elder MCKAY decided to dedicate this land to God.” The next day, Elder MCKAY offered a dedicatory prayer in a garden in the Forbidden City (See Appendix A).

In 1949, the First Presidency sent Elder and Sister COWLEY, President and Sister ROBERTSON and President and Sister AKI to undertake the work in China. They first went to Guangzhou but the political situation there was in great chaos. Realizing that it was impossible for them to set up an office there, they came to Hong Kong on 10 July 1949 and in a solemn ceremony on 14 July, they officially established the Hong Kong Mission. After they had returned to America, Elder Matthews said, “We went up this famous peak. At the spot where we stood, the tallest point in Hong Kong, the unobstructed view of the beautiful island and the mountains bordering China was all under our eyes. There we held a simple and solemn dedicatory ceremony and every one of us took turn to offer a prayer. The prayer of Henry W.AKI has left an immovable mark on my mind. In front of the 465 million would show him how he could lead these people, the many fellow countrymen of his, to receive the eternal blessing. Brothers and sisters, what a wonderful thing this is! He was the only one to hold the priesthood among his 465 million fellow countrymen. When this dear Chinese brother sensed the great responsibility on his shoulders and prayed that God would send down His blessings upon his fellow countrymen, I deeply appreciated the preciousness of God's priesthood.”

In February 1950, Brother H. Grant HEATON was called to accompany Brother William R. PAALANI to Hong Kong to make preparations for opening up this area for missionary work. However, following the outbreak of the Korean War, the government of the United States advised all American nationals to pull out of this area. Obeying their government’s call, Elder HEATON and his companion sailed back to their country on board the ship President Wilson in February 1951.