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Stories: Elder LeeRoy Fry

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Elder LeeRoy Fry 12 Jun 2003

LeeRoy Fry, Northern Far East Mission

November 1958 to May 1961





I was extremely blessed to be called to serve in the Northern Far East Mission. 



At the time of my call my parents first thought I was going to the North Eastern States. Boy, were they surprised when they realized where I was really going! I arrived in Tokyo on Thanksgiving Day in 1958 along with three other missionaries. Two of them were American-born Japanese. Myself and Lester Stevens were assigned to go to Korea which at that time was a district of the mission. If my thinking is correct, we were the 20th and 21st missionaries to arrive in Korea. We, along with those who preceded us, were pioneer missionaries. There were approximately 450 members of the church in all of Korea at the time of our arrival there. As I recall, when I was released there were approximately 1500 members.



I learned many great lessons while serving as a missionary. One of the first ones was on obedience. My father had constantly instructed me to keep my wallet and money in my inside suit pocket. Rather than agreeing and complying with his request right then I assured him that I would make sure to do that when I got to Tokyo. Well, the very first day in Tokyo while shopping for needed things, I was pickpocketed and lost my money, my wallet, and other valuables. Needless to say, my first letter home was very humbling. I learned a great lesson in obedience that day. I had spent only a little over one dollar and lost over $200.00. President Andrus was good to me and spent several hours looking as well as talking to the police to try and recover the lost wallet and money. I never lost anything else the rest of my mission.



Another lesson in listening to and following the Spirit was also learned while still in Tokyo. On Christmas Day 1958 our senior companions were invited to go to Yokahama to visit a relative of one of the seniors. As junior companions we went to the home of a family who was there with the American Embassy. While waiting for Christmas dinner to be prepared, we, along with an American soldier, decided to go to Tokyo Tower which had just been completed and was open to the public. On the way we passed the Russian Embassy compound. The American soldier wanted to go inside. My companion also wanted to go inside. I opposed, but being obedient to stay with my companion, we all went up to the main door. We were told we couldn't go into the main building but were directed to the consulate area which was a small garage type building. We were ushered inside and the door was closed behind us. The Russian gentleman closed the only window which was next to me and then said, "I don't speak any English." Fear gripped me and the adrenalin flowed abundantly. The Spirit spoke to me very strongly and said you need to leave immediately. I stood up and started to leave fully expecting the door to be locked. Fortunately it wasn't and I exited with the others following me. We hurried outside to safety. I understand that President Andrus was informed of the incident, and that our visas to Korea were delayed as a result of our foolish error. I'm sure President Andrus was beginning to wonder what kind of a missionary he was going to be dealing with after these two incidents involving me.



The missionaries who were sent to Korea became a very close group. We were by ourselves with our Mission President far away in Tokyo. We depended on each other so much. We worked hard together and also played together. The number of missionaries in Korea varied between about 14 and 25 during the time I was there. We continually supported and sustained one another. Elder David Strebe was such a good trainer for me. He was my first senior companion and we worked well together. I was also privileged to be a companion to Elder L. Edward Brown for a short time. Quoting from my journal, "I enjoy being with Elder Brown and I think he is a very fine Elder. I have a very good feeling when I am with him." I was especially pleased when he later became a General Authority of the Church. A number of the missionaries became ill with hepatitis which presented unique problems. However, the Lord blessed us abundantly even in times of trial. We were fortunate to have good LDS servicemen there who looked after us, as well, and helped us in many ways.



During my mission, I served in both Seoul and Pusan. I served in all four branches in Seoul; East, East Gate, Seoul West, and Central Branch. It was always difficult to leave the wonderful members in each Branch. I was called to be the Branch President in the East Gate and Pusan Branches. I was blessed to have wonderful counselors in each area. I remember especially my mentor in East Gate, Brother Rhee Ho Nam. What a wonderful man he was then and still is. Also in Pusan, Brother Kum Ba Ul. Both of these men were stalwarts in the gospel with mature testimonies. They were giants among the younger members.



Some of my fond memories as well as significant events are as follows: I remember so well Brother Han In Sang coming to the East Gate Branch as a young man and working out on the parallel bars. We had many fun talks together and became fast friends. It was no surprise to me when he later became a general authority and also the Korea Temple President.



I remember the untimely death of our dear beloved Dr. Kim Ho Jik. Quoting again from my journal, "Because Dr. Kim was such a wonderful man and high government official, he was given a most magnificent funeral service. Heads of the government, college presidents, and other officials attended in great numbers. There were flowers from Korea's President Singman Rhee down to the lowest and poorest of people. He was loved by everyone and will be greatly missed." He truly loved the Lord!



I remember when Apostle Mark E. Petersen and his wife visited Korea for a District Conference. As part of his visit, he interviewed each of the missionaries. About 2 ½ months later we received word from President Andrus that the mission time was reduced to 30 months instead of the 36 months we had all been called for. It was a shock to us, and some Elders immediately returned home.



We always enjoyed the visits of Elder Gordon B. Hinckley who was an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve at the time. He visited on several occasions. He was such a dynamic leader. He loved the Korean saints. He was very personable, kind, and loving. On his last visit, just before I was to go home, he was caught up in a coup of the current government. The majority of action occurred right outside his hotel during the night. It was quite an experience for him and President and Sister Andrus. When he returned to Salt Lake City, an article about his experience was published in the Church News dated May 27, 1961. 



In conclusion, I would like to share a special teaching I received from Elder Hinckley during my interview with him on that last visit before I left Korea for home. During my interview he said to me, "Elder Fry, you have performed a great service to the Lord and His church. The Lord is pleased with you. However, the service you have performed as a missionary is not enough. That alone will not get you back to Heavenly Father in the Celestial Kingdom. You must endure to the end." I have not always done what that suggests, but that experience with a future Prophet of the Lord has been a guiding principal in my life as I have tried to follow his admonition and counsel. I love the saints of Korea, and I want them to know that I have a testimony of the truthfulness of this church and the gospel of Jesus Christ.





Biographical Information - LeeRoy Fry



At the time of my mission call I was living in Bremerton, Washington. After my mission and while attending BYU, I married Arlene Nielsen in the Logan Temple. She was from North Ogden, Utah. We now have 6 married children and 20 grandchildren. Arlene and I both graduated from BYU with our Bachelor degrees. She in Human Development Family Relations and Elementary Education and I in Biological and Agricultural Sciences. I also received a Masters degree in Science Education from the University of Utah. I taught science for 33 years in secondary schools. After retiring, Arlene and I served a welfare services humanitarian mission in Thailand from August 2000 to March 2002. We taught English and child centered methods of education to Thai school teachers. We currently are serving as ordinance workers in the Jordan River Temple. My previous church service has been involved and varied. It includes serving as a Bishop for over six years and as second counselor in a Stake Presidency for nine and one-half years.

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"Obedience is the price, faith is the power, love is the motive, the Spirit is the key, and Christ is the reason." The motto of the Japan Fukuoka Mission can be applied not only to missionary work, but to everyday life. -BYU President Bateman

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