True Parents’ Birthday Celebration Welcoming Remarks

Sun Jin Moon, International President of FFWPU

February 2, 2017

Cheongshim Peace World Center

Excellencies! Distinguished delegates from around the world! Current and former heads of state and government! More than 400 members of parliament from more than 100 nations! Participants in World Summit 2017, sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation! Ladies and Gentlemen! Brothers and Sisters!

It is my special privilege and honor to share a few words with you today on this very, very special occasion as we gather to celebrate the birthday and the lives and the legacy of Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, our beloved True Parents.

As I look out at this audience, and as I reflect on the global movement that my parents developed over the course of the past 70 years, a movement that now touches every sector of society, I cannot help but be amazed, grateful and humbled.

My parents lived each and every day of their lives in service to God, our Heavenly Parent, and humanity, guided by a single vision of building one universal human family under God.

Their course was never easy. They faced what seemed to be insurmountable challenges again and again, every manner of difficulty, from prejudice and misunderstanding to opposition and injustice.

However, my parents were never to be deterred from fulfilling their mission. By loving all enemies, they created a true love movement to realize God’s dream of a united world of universal peace, a world where all people live in harmony with each other and with the creation.

My father’s autobiography, which he completed only a few years before he passed, is entitled As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen.

Indeed, my parents, although born in small humble towns in what is now North Korea, rose up, by the grace of God and despite war, occupation, imprisonment, and unbelievable suffering, to live their lives as peace loving “global citizens.”

They emerged from the ashes of a war torn country to live for a higher purpose, to realize our Heavenly Parent’s dream for peace. They devoted their lives not only for the liberation of their own homeland, but also for the liberation of the world.

They offered their lives to God, and they vowed to love all humanity and God’s creation. And since that day, April 11,1960, their Holy Wedding day, they have never wavered from this principled path.

As a result, righteous people, coming from every race, religion, nationality and culture rose up, giving encouragement, support, resources, and their talents and abilities…..and the movement has grown, day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year.

For me personally, I never cease to be inspired as I continuously have the opportunity to meet great men and courageous women around the world who know and love my parents and who share the same passion and commitment to peace.

Many such people are in this room today, World Summit participants coming for 120 nations. Let us once again show our appreciation to them for joining our celebration today!

Today, the legacy of my parents is manifest as a global faith-based, civil society movement that reaches to every continent, to as many as 194 nations. It is recognized by the United Nations, allied with believers from all the world’s religions, and engaged in education, academia, publishing, media, the arts, sports, and business.

Through their words, and their example, they have given us all the tools we need to repair this world, to transform this world.

They have always spoken of the “restoration of nations.” That is, they always wanted the principles and values and the practices they taught throughout their lives to serve as the moral and spiritual foundation of the family, the society, the nation and the world.

Following my father’s passing, our True Mother has led and carried forward our movement with absolute faith, love and wisdom. She worked side by side with my father for more than 50 years. As the eternal partner of True Father, True Mother has no equal, and was eminently, divinely qualified to lead our global movement. Each and every day, she works tirelessly to realize his vision, their vision of world peace.

Together they had 14 children and over 40 grandchildren and now many great grandchildren. They created a truly amazing family. Right? Yes!

At this time, I would like to ask the members of True Parents’ immediate family who are with us today to stand up and greet the audience? They are truly amazing people. Thank you! I love you all.

And to my beautiful mother, my True Mother, you are the embodiment of unconditional true love, my eternal role model and my hero! I love you, salanghamnida!

Just as we knew my father to be a manifestation of God’s masculinity and love, we have come to know at a newer and deeper level how my mother embodies God’s feminine characteristics of true love.

Together as one harmonious couple they have shown us the path towards peace and unity for all God’s children and creation. They are and forever will be our eternal True Parents! Aju!

On this day we sincerely offer them both our eternal gratitude and love, for the gift of their vision, their example, and their guidance.

True Mother we love you forever! Together, Omonim Salanghamnida!

True Father we love you forever! Together, Abonim Salanghammida!

Together Chambumonim kamsahamnida!

We all pledge to carry on your noble legacy of global peace, a true culture of heart and to love all life on earth and to realize one family under God! Can we all pledge, Yes! Yes! Aju!

We are eternally grateful and all wish you the happiest of birthdays!!!

Chambumonim Seongtan Chukha-deulimnida! [True Parents, congratulations on your Birthday!]

Happy True Parents’ Birthday.