We have observed in all the countries of the Asia Area that there are few things that have a more positive influence on individual young men and women than attending seminary and institute. I have just returned from seminary and institute graduations in four cities in India and was touched by the faith, knowledge and diligence of the teachers and students in that great country. At the same time our daughter, Alice, has just completed her third year of early morning seminary. We are so thankful for her teachers, classmates, and particularly for the opportunity she has in seminary to feel the Spirit and learn the gospel. While it may occasionally seem like a sacrifice in our busy lives to make time for seminary and institute, I want to bear testimony that the blessings are greater than the sacrifice. Let me share with you the story of Cho-Chien Feng, as told by his seminary teacher, Brother Felipe Chou, and then Elder Feng’s recollections:
Brother Felipe Chou
President Cree L. Kofford and President Richard E. Cook, who at the time were members of the Asia Area Presidency, felt very strongly about the need for early morning seminary in Taiwan. In a special meeting in Taiwan, they promised that those students, who would attend early morning seminary, would be the best students in Taiwan.
Elder Feng was one of my early morning students in our first early morning class from February through June 2000. There was much opposition to begin this class, and most parents (members and leaders) felt this would hurt their children's education. Elder Feng was the first early morning class president in our first class in Taiwan. His mother, who is a member, supported him, and his father who was not a member did not object. Elder Feng would ride his bike to church every day to attend early morning seminary.
He turned 18 years old during his last semester as a senior in high school, which was also our first semester of early morning seminary. When he turned 18, he attended institute as well as early morning seminary. His challenge came, when he was not accepted into one of the average colleges in Taiwan around February 2000. Should he now choose extra cram schools at night to better prepare for the national entrance exam in the summer, like many suggested, or stick with early morning seminary? He chose the latter. Seminary ended early June, and he took the national entrance exam shortly thereafter. Out of almost 67,000 students who took the entrance exam that summer, he placed 87, and was accepted into the most prestigious school in Taipei, Taiwan.
Elder Feng’s Account
My name is Elder Cho-Chien Feng. I am currently serving a full-time mission in the Taiwan Taichung mission. Ten years ago, on March l3, 1994, my mother and I were baptized in the Kaohsiung chapel, when I was 12 years old. Not long after I joined the Church, I learned that the Church offered a seminary course. Although I was not yet 14 years old, the age at which I could register for seminary, and partly because of my curiosity, I attended the class as an unregistered student. Since I sat in for two years, I ended up attending seminary for six years instead of the standard four years.
At first, I attended home-study seminary, which was held every Wednesday evening. Sometimes we would have a big exam in school on the following day. This was a trial of faith for me, as well as a test of my priorities. My mother taught me to “get prepared.” She said that if I got prepared early, seminary wouldn’t interfere with my schoolwork. I learned to prepare early, and during my six years in seminary never once skipped class to prepare for a test. This experience helped me learn to place God first in my life. This principle has been a great influence in my life, and has given me a chance to receive great blessings in heaven. When I was 17 years old, Kaohsiung began offering an early-morning seminary course. This early-morning seminary class had a tremendous influence on my life. I have studied the scriptures every day since I was 16 years old. Early-morning seminary gave me a chance to discuss the scriptures with a teacher every day. He set a wonderful example for me and strengthened my desire to serve a mission.
When I was 18 years old, I began participating in both seminary and institute. As a senior in high school, I faced great pressure; however, the gospel principles I learned helped me immeasurably. During my senior year, my high school recommended me to the Department of History at NCCU. I scored high on the entrance exam to NCCU, but ended up failing the interview. The day I found out about the results of my entrance exam and interview, I rode my bike to the chapel to attend institute. As I dismounted my bicycle and walked into the chapel, I heard the opening hymn, “Count Your Blessings,” being sung by my classmates. I was reminded of the blessings that I had already received from God, and the Holy Ghost gave me great comfort. I kept participating in seminary and institute. After I graduated from high school, I scored 87th place in the Social Studies area in the JCEE test, a national joint-college entrance examination. I was accepted into the Department of History at National Taiwan University.
The years I spent in seminary hold some of my life’s favorite memories: Wonderful classmates, great teachers, and, most importantly, being able to be familiar with and learning to love the Holy Scriptures, and becoming acquainted with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. Many people, upon hearing about my high school experiences, place the importance on the prestigious college I ended up in, but I think that’s a great mistake. Heavenly Father gave me a love for studying. In my case, seminary did not affect my schoolwork. As a matter of fact, attending seminary helped me to understand the purpose of my studies in school. Heavenly Father has given each of us different talents and gifts of the Spirit. Everyone is unique.
The greatest help that seminary offered me was a foundation in Gospel learning, including faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and knowledge of what I need to do to obtain salvation. I became acquainted with the purpose of life, got to know our Savior, Jesus Christ, and more fully comprehended our Elder Brother’s love for us. Upon this firm foundation, I have been able to develop enough faith to help me make the important decision of serving a mission. The faith and knowledge of the Gospel that I developed in seminary has continued pushing me on during the course of my mission.
Seminary and support from my goodly parents have helped me learn to place the Lord first in my life. This correct priority has helped me to make the best decisions in my life. I have learned that the more I know about God, the better I know myself. Understanding my interests and the gifts I have received from Heavenly Father helps me faithfully and diligently develop my gifts. Early-morning seminary tested my faith, strengthened me and gave me many great spiritual experiences. The wonderful example of Brother Chou has also influenced me greatly.
Finally, I want to bear my testimony. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He lives! I know that we are children of God. Heavenly Father and the Savior truly did appear to the young Joseph Smith to answer his sincere prayer, opening the great dispensation of the fullness of times, and letting the light of the Book of Mormon shine forth from the dust to testify to the world that Jesus is the Christ. As a full-time missionary, I leave this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Sincerely,
Elder Feng
Concluding Remarks by President Andersen
There is so much of this world that is temporary and will pass away. We spend so much of our life involved with those things that are temporary. I pray that all of our young men and young women in Asia will feel the testimony of Brother Chou and Elder Feng and realize that in attending seminary and institute that they are investing in things of an eternal nature that will bless their lives and give them direction to guide them through the remainder of their lives. I would urge all of our young men and women to test your faith as did Elder Feng. Attend seminary and institute and see how the Lord will bless you. We so appreciate our wonderful youth and the righteous generation that is being raised up!
