Kim Ho Jik helped bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to South Korea
In 1949, Kim Ho Jik traveled from Korea to study agriculture at Cornell University in the United States. But what he found there changed everything.
Have you ever embarked on a new path for one purpose, but God had a completely different plan for you? In 1949, a Korean man named Kimho Jik was sent to the United States to learn agriculture and better feed his people. But something unexpected happened. While studying at Cornell University, his coworker handed him a Book of Mormon. He read it and believed it was true, but he didn't think he needed to change anything.
Then his friend told him, "I think the Lord brought you here to feed your people spiritually, too." And that idea wouldn't leave him alone. So, he met with missionaries and studied deeper and prayed. And then something happened that he never expected. On July 29th, 1951, he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And as he came out of the water, he heard a voice say, "Feed my sheep." Not a feeling, a voice.
Just like the Savior said to his apostle Peter. And in that moment, his purpose changed. That fall, he returned to Korea. But this wasn't the same country he left. It was devastated by war. He was appointed to several prominent government positions, but still focused on building the kingdom of God. He began working with American servicemen to teach the gospel in Korea. And some of his family members were among the first Koreans baptized.
And then he started a small Sunday school in Korean. Just a handful of people. It didn't look like much, but he saw something more because the Lord had said, "Be not weary in welloing, for you are laying the foundation of a great work." That small group was the foundation. His whole purpose became to teach these young future leaders of the kingdom of God in Korea. In 1955, Joseph Fielding Smith dedicated Korea for the preaching of the gospel and he called Kim Hojik as the first district president and he used those connections in the government to gain official recognition for the church and obtain visas for the missionaries.
One early member later said, "Without him, it could have been delayed by decades. We can all be instruments in God's hands if we are willing, have faith, and act.
