Brian Yeung

President Lee H. Van Dam has been serving as the mission president of the China Hong Kong Mission since 1 July 2006. President Lee was born in an LDS family in Utah. He and his family left Salt Lake when he was a young child and his father was called to be a mission president in Holland. Hewas baptized in Holland. Sister Holly Hemming Van Dam’s parents are also Latter-Day Saints. She was is from Oklahoma.

President and sister Lee met each other at the University of Utah. They married in the Salt Lake City Temple in May of 1974. They have two daughters and six grandchildren. Their two daughters served missions in Chile and Brazil respectively. Both President and Sister Lee are experienced members. President Lee has been a bishop, high councilor and a second councilor in a stake presidency. He owned his own real estate company. Sister Lee has served as a stake primary president, relief society president, young women’s president and primary president. She is also a devoted homemaker.

President Lee is not new to Hong Kong. He served his mission in Hong Kong in 1966 when it was part of the South Far East Mission. He participated in the construction of the Yuen Long chapel. His Chinese surname”李均定”was given to him by president NG Kat-hing, the church translator at that time. President Lee proudly displays his copy of the first edition of Chinese Book of Mormon (published in 1965), and a photo of the Yuen Long chapel dedication in 1967. President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was an apostle at that time, is also in the photo.

President Lee cheerfully shared a special experience from his mission. When he was serving in Sha Tin, his companion was called to be the branch president and he was called to be the relief society president for some days until a sister was called later. 

The Lees are enjoying the different scenery and food in Hong Kong. They are especiall fond of Chinese dim sum.

President and Sister Lee love missionary work. They feel blessed and excited about their calling. There are about 160 missionaries under their guidance. President Lee believes that the most challenging task is to lead the mission under the LORD’s will at all times. Sister Lee finds that the biggest task is to make sure that all missionaries are healthy.

President Lee’s expectations for the missionaries are:
To be a “Preach My Gospel” missionary;
To be part of a “Preach My Gospel” companionship;
To be a member of a“Preach My Gospel” ward or branch.

Sister Lee’s reminder to the missionaries is:
Obedience brings blessing.

They hope to have chance to serve the Hong Kong members and investigators, be their friends and to share the gospel with them.

President Lee believes that Hong Kong is a place that is prepared for the gospel. He feels grateful for the sacred message, the sacred messenger, the sacred place and the sacred time that he will spend here.