Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf rediscovered Asia’s “treasures” during his Nov. 10-24 ministry in the Church’s Asia and Asia North areas, with key stops in Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong, China; and Bangkok, Thailand.
The Asian countries “are filled with treasures — with spiritual, emotional and personal treasures of the soul,” said the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explaining the Lord gives His Saints these treasures as they strive to keep His commandments.
“They are the treasures,” Elder Uchtdorf said, adding, “so it is a joyful moment to be here.”
Elder Uchtdorf was accompanied by his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, and Elder José A. Teixeira of the Presidency of the Seventy during the two-week ministry.
Joining them in Asia were four General Authority Seventies and their spouses: from the Asia Area presidency — Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai, president, and Sister Naomi Tai; Elder Kelly R. Johnson, first counselor, and Sister Teressa Johnson; Elder Michael John U. Teh, second counselor, and Sister Grace Teh — and Elder John A. McCune, Asia North Area president, and Sister Debbra McCune.
Elder and Sister Uchtdorf first stopped in Seoul, in the Asia North Area. There he attended the Nov. 10 Sinchon Ward sacrament meeting and then toured the nearby Seoul Korea Temple.
“It was remarkable how much attention Elder and Sister Uchtdorf gave to each member as they took the time to greet them one by one,” said Elder McCune. “It was a very sweet and joyful opportunity for many of these Saints who had never had the opportunity to see or visit with an Apostle in such close setting.”
The Apostle also conducted a question-and-answer discussion with a small cross section of Korean members, with the Uchtdorfs listening to their conversion stories.
“Elder Uchtdorf asked questions about the challenges they are facing and about how the gospel had helped them in their lives,” Elder McCune recounted. “There were pioneer leaders who had been baptized 70 years earlier [after the Korean War], returned missionaries and youth.
“It was a very personal experience for these members, and you could clearly see that they felt important, listened to and loved. I was impressed by how much time he spent in trying to understand their needs and the challenges unique to Korea.”
In Hong Kong, Elder Uchtdorf participated in the Nov. 15 Giving Machines launch (see Church News, Nov. 23 edition, p. 7). Later that evening, he held a devotional with members and missionaries from Hong Kong and neighboring Macao.
Elder Tai considered it “a great blessing” to have the Uchtdorfs in the Asia Area and to travel with them. “Elder and Sister Uchtdorf’s seemingly unlimited energy and enthusiasm for the work was infectious,” he said. “They seemed to gain strength and energy when they were together with the members and missionaries. Being with them was uplifting and encouraging.”
Elder Uchtdorf visited the Hong Kong Temple, attended the Nov. 17 sacrament meeting with the Wong Tai Sin Ward and conducted Nov. 16 leadership training meetings with stake, district, ward and branch leaders.Recalling several last-minute changes to Elder Uchtdorf’s schedule “at his request and inspiration,” Elder Tai said: “I was able to witness how a change resulted in being an answer to someone else’s prayer or a much-needed ministering opportunity. It was a testament to me of how the Lord is in the details of our lives and how He guides His servants to accomplish His purposes.”
Accompanying the Uchtdorfs on a flight and mindful of Elder Uchtdorf’s storied career as a Lufthansa pilot and executive, Elder Tai asked the Apostle, “What did you think of the landing?”
Said Elder Tai: “His answer was profound. He replied, ‘Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.’ This brought some perspective and focus to my efforts.”
Elder Uchtdorf arrived at the Bangkok Thailand Temple on Nov. 19 and then met with missionaries and leaders from the Thailand Bangkok East and Thailand Bangkok West missions in the nearby annex.
He returned to the temple annex on Nov. 23 to conduct leadership trainings with stake, district, ward and branch leaders. Elder Uchtdorf joined both the missionaries and the local leaders after their meetings for photos in front of the Bangkok temple, which had been dedicated 13 months previous.
On Nov. 22, the Uchtdorfs met with Sister Louise Horgan, director of the Fatima Self-Help Center at the Good Shepherd Sisters Bangkok. Elder Uchtdorf became acquainted with her during his 2022 ministry to Southeast Asia.
During this visit, he introduced Sister Uchtdorf to Sister Horgan and presented the nonprofit charity with a third donation from the Church — this one for much-needed roof repairs and awning installations to improve the center’s facilities.
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