What is the difference from doing the church in Taiwan’s culture and the US culture? How can our ward better welcome our modern day pioneers?
In my country the main stream religion is quite different to that of the US. In the US most people believe in Christ, at least they have an idea of who Christ is. But in my country, most people don't know who Christ is. They may know that he is a western God, but they do not know what he stands for and his purpose in coming to this earth.
The major religions in Taiwan are Buddhism and Taoism. In comparison to religious culture, Taoists and Buddhists are similar to several protestants here. we may say that we are Taoist, but we will only go to a temple on very special occasions. Very devout Buddhists would not eat meat with their meals, along with garlic and onions and several other things. But, many of us still eat those things, because we just feel as many do in the world, we only believe when it is convenient to believe.
The religion of Christianity is still somewhat new. When communist China closed it’s borders, christian Missionaries flocked to Taiwan. They set up little churches all over the island and brought their religion to Taiwan. Probably to increase their church attendance they would hand out milk and candy to the local people that came to Sunday mass or any other activity. In the early days, those items were expensive. So people saw this Western religion as being a party the higher class. Even our dictator at the time, Chen Kai Shek was Christian.
So, some of us kept to our traditions and only saw little evidence of Christians. For example, there are signs on telephone poles posted around Taiwan saying “Christ is resurrected” or “the last days are here”. Most of us didn't really understand what that meant, and just thought these Christians were weird. Also, I remember as a child seeing a picture of Christ being whipped, and that was kind of scary.
I always had a curiosity towards Christ. I did believe in God since I was little. I knew he was always there and always watching over me. I didn't start to really understand what Christ was though until I went to college. I started to learn some things about him through clubs at school, but I was still never really comfortable sitting there talking about Christ. At that time in my life I had several hardships and trials. It came to a point that I prayed to God. I didn't really know how to pray but I knew how to talk, and I talked to God. Only a few days later the missionaries came knocking on my door. At first I did not know what to think. I didn't really see this as an answer to prayer. In fact, my first meeting with them I didn't show up. But they called me, and made another appointment with me. I went to the lessons, and then I finally I got baptized.
Being in the church for 14 years, I have seen many people be baptized and later become inactive. I think many people become inactive because this is a western Church, with western views. Many family members in Taiwan and friends do not support their family member in joining the church. The older generation are afraid that no one will worship them after they die, because they become Christians, and Christian churches forbid the worshipping of ancestors. But the people that stay in the church, like me, have stayed in the church for a very good reason.
The principles of the gospel are not culture bound. Pres. Gordon B Hinckley said every new member needs a friend a responsibility and nurturing with the good word of God. I was very lucky to be baptized around the same time as another girl. She became my best friend. We supported each other at church. I was also given a responsibility. I received the calling of a stake missionary. That calling kept me very busy and really gave me no excuse not to come to church. I was then challenged to read the entire book of Mormon before the end of the year. That was my nurturing of the good word of God. From those things I was able to increase my testimony in Christ and help me in my journey as a modern-day pioneer into the gospel of Christ’s Church in these latter days.
When we think of pioneers, we think of handcarts, oxen, bonnets, and walking through the snow over countless mountains. There are still pioneers today. Spiritual pioneers. In fact this last year has felt like a pioneer journey for our family. My husband felt the calling of the spirit to return back to his homeland. Without any surety that we would have a job or financial support here, we packed our bags and started to move. We have been here in the US for almost 4 months now. My husband still doesn't have a stable job, but we are supported. We feel our heavenly father’s love on a daily basis.
There are several other modern pioneers in this ward. These people have left their home lands and their families to come here to the promised land. They are sitting around you. I am so thankful to be in this ward with so many that have gone through the same experiences as myself. We should always make those modern day pioneers feel welcome. The culture barriers are always hard to break through, but remember, that the principles and belief in Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ are not culture bound. In this, we are all brothers and sisters and all have this common interest.
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