Hoon Dok Hwe at East Garden with True Parents September 23, 2009
On September 23, 2009, members gathered in East Garden to attend True Parents. First, Father asked Wonju McDevitt to read chapter six of True Father’s autobiography, which talked about Father’s meetings with Gorbachev and Kim Il Sung, and his effect on the national policies of the Soviet Union and North Korea.
Next, True Father expanded on his basic philosophy that Korea can be unified when North Koreans love South Korea more than North Korea and vice versa. He talked about how the love that parents have for their children should be applied to the greater society, nation and world. He talked about the way true love can bring about world unification.
Father also talked about the importance of studying his teachings. He mentioned that people who apply his teachings to their lifestyle can bring about great changes in their surroundings. He noted that textbooks will live on even after the death of the teacher, and gave the example of the effect the Gospel had on human history. He emphasized the importance of creating a heavenly tradition in the family centering on his teachings. This should be done in five generations (roughly 100 years), and the tradition should live on.
Father especially emphasized the importance of the Pyeong Hwa Shin Gyeong, saying that it is the only textbook used in the spirit world. He called the Pyeong Hwa Shin Gyeong “God’s Bible” and said that we should learn from the testimonies of ascended saints and sages contained in the book. They lived exemplary lives while on the earth and have testified that Father is the Messiah and Lord of the Second Advent. They also are alive and active today. Father asked us to be careful with how we live our lives today, so that we cannot be accused in the spirit world.
After speaking to members about the importance of becoming owners of peace through the blood lineage, Father asked Wonju McDevitt to read part of Owner of Peace and Owner of Lineage. During and after this reading, Father gave practical guidance for couples.
Next, Father asked Wonju McDevitt to offer a prayer and then sing Ulsan Arirang. Then Father asked Rev. Jeong Eog Yu to sing the song about the white horse. Next, Father asked Archbishop Ki Hoon Kim to give a testimony about the work he has done for Father. Archbishop Kim spoke about his time as a CARP student in Korea, when he first heard Father speak. Father had appeared in his dream the night before and told him to become a first-class citizen. Then, Father said the same thing in his message to the CARP students. Archbishop Kim also spoke about his work as a church leader in Chicago and Washington, DC.
After Archbishop Kim’s talk, Father asked Rev. Yong Seok Song, the chairman of the movement in Japan, to give a testimony. Rev. Song spoke about the day before, when Father had spoken to leaders who had come from Japan for 14 hours at the “breakfast” table! Rev. Song had to excuse himself after the first 10 hours or so to use the restroom, although from a life-of-faith point of view, he wanted to wait until Father had gone to use the restroom before he did. It was at 7pm the night before that Father had finished educating the leaders from Japan. According to Rev. Song, Father had talked about the political situation in nations such as America, Korea and Japan.
While Rev. Song spoke, one of Kook Jin Nim’s children came into the hall. When Rev. Song finished speaking, Father called the end of the meeting. It was a few minutes past 9am.
Report by Tossa Cromwell, UC USA HQ