by Ronald K. Nielsen



I was born in Utah and raised in rural Idaho. My father was a school teacher who also had a small farm to keep his children busy with meaningful work. I became accustomed soon in life to early morning and after school chores. Saturdays and summer vacation from school were always long days of work on the farm. This work ethic inherited from my parents served me well on my mission and throughout my life. 



I enjoyed school and always got high marks in my classes. I attribute much of this to the encouragement of my school teacher father. I liked to participate in sports and really enjoyed the outdoors with family and have fond memories of many outings with the Boy Scouts of America. 



I received a call to serve in the Northern Far East Mission beginning in January 1962. At that time the Northern Far East Mission consisted of Japan and two small districts of Okinawa and Korea. 



I just assumed I was going to Japan; so in preparation, I read a dozen or so books on Japanese culture, history and language. I became infatuated with Japan and things Japanese. I was able to practice the language to the point I could bear my testimony in Japanese at the farewell Sacrament meeting. 



In those days there was no Language Training Center for missionaries. We were all instructed by the General Authorities at the Mission Home in Salt Lake City for a week; and then, we were off to our various assigned mission fields. There were three of us who traveled to Tokyo. 



President Paul Andrus interviewed each of us one by one. He had been president of the mission nigh on to six years and had a very stern, no nonsense demeanor. 



I remember only one thing from his interview. He asked me, "Elder Nielsen, are you willing to give your life for the Church?" Trying to say the right thing I meekly stammered "I don't know, I guess so". And he just simply replied, "Good, you will be assigned to labor in the Korea District." 



Up to this time I had not even given Korea a thought. I was so disappointed and shocked I could not even explain in protest that I had my heart set on Japan and had been studying Japanese diligently for the last three months. However I did sing extra loudly at the 'closing of the day' in the Mission Home to signify that I could read the Hiragana symbols in the Japanese hymn book! 



For the next two weeks while two of us (Elder Marc Anderson and I) were waiting for our visas to be processed, we labored with the Elders of the Tokyo Central Branch in Shibuya. Still in denial that I was going to Korea, I continued to memorize testimony and missionary phrases in Japanese, fervently wishing to stay in Japan. I even prayed each night that something would happen that would prevent my going, like another invasion from North Korea!



The Lord knows where He wants to put us for our own best growth and development and for the building of His Kingdom. I thank the Lord for that. Had I refused to go to Korea, I would have missed some of the most significant events and opportunities that have shaped my life. 

Some of these fantastic experiences include serving as counselor to President Gail Carr, having my mission extended four months to work on the translation of the Book of Mormon, and most importantly, witnessing the Lord's loving influence in the lives of the humble Korean Saints. 



Not having these experiences would have precluded the great privilege of later serving as President of the Korea Seoul West Mission and President of the Seoul Korea Temple.



 
President Hinckley in Korea