Elder Paul V. Johnson—Commissioner of Church Education and Leslie Johnson—Chaperone

After breakfast it was off to the stake center adjacent to the temple for stake conference. Elder Kent Watson of the area presidency presided and we were given headphones and receivers to pick up the English translation. The choir provided special musical numbers during the meeting and the audience appreciated the music very much—especially when we sang in Mandarin. It was interesting to hear the meeting in Chinese and English and realize how different cultures are and yet how the gospel unifies people across cultures.

Following the general session we had a glorious lunch! Hoagie sandwiches, Doritos, pasta with meat sauce, tossed green salad, watermelon and pineapple. It tasted so good and the people were so gracious who prepared it for us.

Following the lunch some of the choir went back to the hotel and another bus visited the Chiang Kai-shek memorial, which was a beautiful area that included the memorial itself and museums and the national theater. At the entrance to the area there was a demonstration going on by parents and students protesting excessive homework for children. Lots of people were there yelling and holding signs while someone else was working the crowd up.

We returned to the stake center for a dinner provided by the West Taipei stake this time. The meal was in the cultural hall and we sat interspersed with members so we could get to know them better. President Wheelwright talked a little about the school and education in general. It was so nice to get to know the members better.

The choir presented a fireside tonight to a large crowd. The members were so excited to be there and the Spirit was strong as the choir sang and bore testimony of the Savior.

After our choir’s performance Jeff, who has been organizing things in Taiwan, brought some of his choir members to perform a number and also showed a slide show of the trip so far. The members seemed to be interested in the photos of the choir members.

A quick ride back to the hotel for our last night in Taiwan. Everyone seemed tired, but tomorrow it’s off to Hong Kong.