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From Returned Missionaries
Dwayne N. Andersen-Excerpts from Autobiography
Mission President continued
Part 22
INVOLVEMENT OF ELDER GORDON B. HINCKLEY
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, an apostle of the Lord was assigned as President over the Asian Area of the Church. He was the only General Authority who visited the Northern Far East Mission while I was there. He is the only one I could contact at Church headquarters when I had a problem or needed some counsel. He was a perfect administrator for the Asian area. He loved the people and they loved him and had great respect for him. He loved the missionaries and servicemen and in turn, they loved and honored him. In each visit he left inspiration and encouragement to all those who heard him speak. It was a great thrill for me to have the opportunity of working with him. Elder Hinckley made about eight visits to Japan. Two of these were visits in which I accompanied him throughout the mission so he could hold an inspirational meeting with the missionaries as well as the servicemen. He interviewed each missionary personally. His first visit was in November 1962, where he lovingly chastened the missionaries for their lack of spirituality. His second “all mission” visit was in November 1963, when the effects of the “Spiritual Bucket” program, helping the missionaries to prepare spiritually to the point that it touched the heart of an apostle and brought him to tears. We accompanied Elder and Sister Hinckley as they attended a Servicemen’s Retreat, which was held at Hakone at the base of Mt. Fuji. Many servicemen had anxiously gathered from all over Japan, Okinawa, and a few from Korea, to relax and to hear the words of an apostle and his wife. Elder and Sr. Hinckley spoke loving words of encouragement and hope as they met with the servicemen in meetings; and we had interesting meetings with them for two days. It was a rich spiritual feast for these battle-worn and lonely servicemen. Two other visits were for the purpose for the holding of mission presidents’ seminars for the mission presidents and wives from Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea.
The first seminar was held in Tokyo, on December 7, 1962. It was very helpful for all of us. Part of the time Patrick Dalton joined us. He was working in Korea. Elder Hinckley called him to be a mission president in Tonga. The 2nd seminar was held in Hong Kong. It was another productive and impressive occasion for the three mission presidents. We had the opportunity of visiting the Victoria Island and also the border of China where we could look into the countryside. On one occasion he made a short visit to Tokyo, where he held a special meeting with the Japanese members, as well as the servicemen and their families. All who attended were richly rewarded and felt very grateful for this experience. On two other occasions I was able to spend a productive hour or so with Elder Hinckley at the airport as he was enroute to other parts of Asia. Elder Hinckley came to Hawaii for a few days at the end of the Japanese temple trip to the Hawaii Temple. He added to the spirit and excitement of the temple as he visited with the saints and performed some of their sealings in the temple. As Elder and Sister Hinckley and Sister Andersen and I were traveling together on one occasion, Elder Hinckley related to us about how my call to be president of the Northern Far East Mission came about. He said that for a few years the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve had tried to find a replacement for President Paul Andrus, but were not able to come to an agreement. Paul Andrus had been the president for close to six years. Early in 1962, the group was convened again to select the president.
They had compiled a group of names to consider. Elder Hinckley was present at this meeting. He said that my name was on the list, but every time it was brought up for discussion, someone would always refer to the fact that I did not know the language. After much discussion with no resolution, President McKay pointed to my name and said: “This is the man.” He then asked for a sustaining vote, which he promptly received. That is how Dwayne N. Andersen was approved to replace Paul Andrus. When I received the call, I was told that the length of the call was indefinite and that perhaps it would be best for us to dispose of all our possessions, etc. Shortly after entering the mission field, it was announced through the First Presidency that all mission president’s calls would be for three years.
Towards the end of our mission, Elder Hinckley was very concerned about what I would do for employment after I was released. He made a few suggestions, including the Church College of New Zealand. I was just too busy running the mission and preparing for the Hawaii Temple trip that I was unable to worry about employment at that time.