By Eugene Powell Till
Northern Far East Mission
January 1958 to July 1960


My traveling companions Elders Porter, Campbell, Nanto and I arrived in early January 1958 at the mission home in Tokyo. It was my second trip to Japan where I had graduated from Narimasu High School while accompanying my father, mother and younger brother on a military assignment in 1956. President Paul C. Andrus with his wife Frances presided over the mission that included Japan, Okinawa and Korea. President Andrus had been my mission president while I was a senior in high school, and I had met him at a conference held for the US Servicemen. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith had also been at the meeting, and I, as a young convert, recall having been very impressed with both.

Elders Porter, Campbell and I were assign to go to Korea and Elder Nanto was assigned to remain in Japan. We were each asked if we would be willing to die if necessary for the gospel in Korea. That suggestion was alarming and somewhat overwhelming for me, but I mustered up enough courage to answer "I would". I found out later that Elders Porter and Campbell were asked the same question, and their reply was the same. We were told that it might be a while before our visas could be approved, and each of us received temporary assignments. I was sent to Tokyo South Branch which was a beautiful home in Inarayama Koen. I was told that the building had been the home of a Japanese movie star. Living in the home was our Branch President Kan Watanabe and his wife. Sister Watanabe took care of us by preparing our food and washing our clothes. Each night they invited us into their room and gave us cookies and a drink. I loved our time with them.

In May President Andrus came to visit our branch and I suggested that he might consider allowing me to stay in Japan and sending someone else to Korea, because I felt that I was doing well in learning Japanese. He told me that my suggestion had merit, but that I should prepare to leave the next day for Seoul, Korea along with him, Sister Andrus, and a visiting General Authority, Elder and Sister Mark E. Peterson.

Immediately upon arrival in Korea I was assigned to be the companion of Elder Lowell Edward Brown who was serving in the YuRak Dong Branch with Elders Newman and Strebe. Elder Brown had been very ill with Hepatitis and the white of his eyes was very yellow. In spite of his condition he was hard working, kind, loving and demonstrated great patience with me. We became a wonderful companionship and best friends. We continue to stay in touch today. Our housekeeper was Sister Lee Choong Soon who also served as housekeeper to the Brown and Till Families when we later came back to serve a second mission. It was our great honor to have Dr. Kim Ho Jik and his family living in our Branch. I was humbled in his presence and grateful that he would take the time to speak to me in English, since I knew no Korean. One of my favorite memories was watching Dr. Kim try the Hula Hoop. He was not very successful, but just seeing that he would try made us all feel that he was willing to be a part of us. I remember his daughters teaching the primary and I was so grateful that they could also speak English. It was later my sad experience to travel from Pusan to attend Dr. Kim’s funeral in Seoul. It was a sad day for the missionaries, members and indeed for Korea.

In the Spring of 1959 I was transferred to Pusan to replace Elder Newell Kimball who was serving as Pusan Branch President and Presiding Elder. He had completed his mission and was returning home. That was to be my assignment for the remaining 18 months of my mission. Pusan had been the city of refuge for the retreating Koreans, who had just a few years prior to my arrival, been attacked from North Korea by the North Koreans, Russians and Chinese. The people of Korea were humble and grateful to the Americans for coming to their rescue. Although the missionaries had not personally participated in the war, we represented the USA and were warmly welcomed into just about any home we entered. One of my counselors was Brother Kum Ba Ul who was an one of the older members of the branch. I came to love and admire him, and his example of humility. We also claimed Sister Kim Do Pil as one of our Branch members even though she had moved to Seoul. She was like a mother to all the missionaries and frequently came to Pusan "her home". We loved having her visit because she and Brother Kum establish some seniority among our membership which was mostly made up of students.

Meeting of the Pusan Branch were held in a kindergarten building that we eventually purchased, and later became the site for the first chapel in Pusan. The benches were so old and had been repaired so many times that the nails would no longer hold and we were concerned each Sunday that one of our members or investigators would be hurt when their bench collapsed. A wonderful day arrived when we received metal folding chairs and were able to discard the broken benches.

In July 1960 I tearfully completed my mission and departed the country I had come to love. My life was enriched and molded by my experiences in Korea, and much of what I do today is a result of the teachings and training I received from my Korean Brothers and Sisters. Korea was truly a training ground for my life’s path. My humble gratitude is extended to the wonderful friends, members and companions with whom I served.