‘To Glorify God:’ Remembering Hyo Jin Moon
Raised among 14 siblings, Hyo Jin Moon, the second child and eldest son of the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, affectionately known as True Parents, had a deep love for his family and people. “My lifelong goal is to glorify God,” he said. “I want to become a person who can understand God’s Will and reflect His love.”
Today marks the 13th anniversary of Hyo Jin’s ascension in Korea on March 17, 2008. At the age of 45, his sudden passing from a heart attack left a global void felt by the Unification movement co-founded by his parents.
Rev. and Dr. Moon commended him into the spirit world with calligraphy that read: “He will open and liberate the deepest heaven and turn it into a flower garden as the Lord who opens the gates of loyalty and filial piety.”
Today we pause for a moment of reflection and appreciation for the life of Hyo Jin Moon.
Born on December 29, 1962, Hyo Jin was an elder brother to our international community. He actively spoke around the world during his presidency of the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) over a span of 10 years. He also earned a Master’s Degree in religious studies from the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) and an honorary Doctorate in theology from Sun Moon University.
In 2006, Hyo Jin accompanied Dr. Moon on her Universal Peace Federation (UPF) global tour. He is widely remembered for his leadership qualities, his impact on the international Unificationist community, and the more than 10,000 songs he wrote during his lifetime.
A skilled performer, songwriter, and music producer, Hyo Jin hosted many professional musicians at the Manhattan Center Studios in New York where he served as president and chairman. He also founded Manhattan Centers in Korea and Japan.
Hyo Jin’s heart for music and service to others won’t be forgotten, nor will his words of faith and gratitude, where he notably spoke of developing the heart of a filial son after completing a special 40-day condition in February 1985. He aimed to support his father completely and deepen his commitment to Rev. Moon’s sacrificial way of love.
“I want to be a person who can give freely, but it’s not easy to constantly have this attitude of heart,” Hyo Jin said. “My utmost desire is to be able to be my greater, larger self. Many people have lost the ability to manage or develop themselves constructively; they pursue only their own interests and settle for merely personal achievement or material success.”
“You cannot become your true self if you are only disjointed fragments,” he continued, “so because of this, I want to understand and manifest God’s Will, whatever it takes. And I want to not only digest all the different aspects of myself, but convey this ‘digested’ self to others… My hope is that my Unification Church brothers and sisters can also become such people.”
You can submit a story from your community at info@unification.org.
Comments are welcomed and encouraged on this site, but there are some instances where comments will be edited or deleted. Please see our comments policy here.
Michael Candelaresi
| #
Hyo Jin Nim, I am sorry that we never got to meet each other when we were both in New York . I spent 17 years in and around NYC doing various missions. My determination is to manifest God’s purpose for me and to lay the foundation for the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth! Thank you My Brother For all that you have done!
Reply
Gregory Carter
| #
I admired Hyo Jin’s love for TPs, fearlessness, honesty, smile, mixing in with membership, and dedication. Didn’t know him well, but he wasn’t a punk, weak, or two faced. I would have liked to known him better.
Reply
Avo Martinson
| #
I remember Hyo Jin Nim speaking in Berlin. Very moving spirit!
Reply
Derbysheva Natalia
| #
Hyo Jin Nim has a very gentle heart though he is strong. This l feel through his music. He is so heavenly deep in all aspects. His personality and music will be admired by the whole world very soon, I’m sure.
Reply
Jeffrey durham
| #
I love you Hyo Jin thank you
Reply