Local History of the Church

President Spencer W. Kimball spoke at the Hong Kong regional conference at Lee Threatre (translated by brother Ng, Kat Hing) on 13 August 1975

Prophet Spencer W. Kimball

In 13 August 1975 President Spencer W. KIMBALL and other members of the General Authorities, 30 brethren in total, came to visit Hong Kong. Over 700 members went to welcome them and the district children choir sang the song “I am a child of God” for the prophet. A press conference was held at the Lee Garden Hotel at 3:15 that afternoon. That night, as regional conference, the first of such kind, was held at the Lee Theatre. Speakers at the conference included Elders Marvin J. ASHTON, James GILLMORE, Gordon B. HINCKLEY, Lesile STONE, and B. PETERSON. The final speaker to admonish the members was President Spencer W. KIMBALL. The saints of Hong Kong were grateful to be able to hear the gospel of peace brought to their homeland by the prophet of God. To them, this was a great and memorable day. President KIMBALL was a very kind and loving man and was very energetic despite his old age. He was a true servant of God.

On the morning of the 14th, the prophet and Elder Gordon B. HINCKLEY were received by the Governor of Hong Kong who was impressed by the family home evening programme promopted by the Church. After the interview, President KIMBALL immediatedly left Hong Kong for Taipei to conduct a regional conference there. At the same time, the second counsellor of the First Presidency, President Marion G. ROMNEY came to Hong Kong. At 7:30 that evening, the second regional conference was held at the Lee Theatre. Close to 2, 000 people went to the conference on the first night and over 1,500 went on the second night. The whole process of the first conference was transmitted by the Rediffusion Television. The aim of the regional conference was to promote communication between members of the different regions and the General Authorities of the Church. Since the annual general conferences held in Salt Lake City were not easily accessible to members in many parts of the world, such conferences provided members with the chance to hear the General Authorities speak to them in person.

Variety shows had become a tradition of the Church. A dance festival was held in the Chan Shu-kui Hall in North Point on 5 January 1975 and it was another success. There were performances including the Girls Ring by the Aberdeen Branch, Lantern Dance by the Sham Shui Po Branch, Sword Dance by the Kwun Tong Branch, “The Cowherd and the Girl Weaver” by Lai Chee Kok Branch. American folkdance by the Victoria Branch, the Dragon and Phoenix Dance by the Causeway Bay Branch, “Oh, Susannai” by the North Point Branch, “The Lonely Goat” by the Tsim Sha Tsui Branch, “Romeo and Juliet” by the Kowloon City Branch, “the Disappearance of the Snowman” by the Kwun Tong Branch and Taiwanese folkdance by the West Point Branch. Over 200 people participated and it was an enjoyable occasion.

1975, Prophet Spencer W. Kimball at a press conference

40 Chinese missionaries served in Hong Kong in 1975

To continue with the spirit of training in the previous year, President Jerry D. WHEAT organized another seminar for the Elders Quorum; of different branches in the Kam Tong Hall on 28 December to help the elders understand how to exercise their priesthood and their callings better. The discussion subjects of this seminar included the following: 1) the calling and obligation of the president of the Elders Quorum; 2) the responsibility of the presidency of the Elders Quorum; 3) the rules and ordinances of the priesthood; 4) the relation between the Elders Quorum presidency and the branch presidency; 5) how to improve the function, organization and operation of the Elders Quorum and 6) haring of spiritual experiences. The aim of this training was to unite these priesthood leaders so that they would always keep in mind the teachings of Christ and the doctrines of the Church in order to accomplish the great work of God. President WHEAT fully proved his true testimony of God by the efforts that he had made in fostering the local priesthood leadership. Later in 1994, he came to Hong Kong again. Together with his wife Sister Donetta WHEAT this time, they served as public affairs missionaries for over a year to prepare for the opening of the Hong Kong Temple. They made substantial contribution to the Church during their stay here.

To help members gain more knowledge of the Church as well as of the world, the Church sent Brother ANDERSON to Hong Kong as the Hong Kong Education Director. His work was to set up a library here so that members could read and study to enrich their knowledge in order to meet their personal and social needs. After much work, Brother ANDERSON set up a library in the Kam Tong Hall. The opening ceremony was held on 24 June 1975 with the mission president and his wife as guests of honour. Brother AU Kwok-chiu, the District President introduced the establishment of the library and encouraged members to make good use of the books made available to them to enrich the knowledge and improve their own lives.