Hyo-yul "Peter" Kim's autobiography Memories of Grace: A Life of Attendance to True Parents

On July 11th, a book launch event for Peter Kim’s autobiography was held with great success, attended by Cheon Il Guk leaders and key members of the Family Federation. The event, hosted by Kim Dong-yeon, YSP President, proceeded with worship, a report prayer (by Gi-seong Lee, Cheonshim Won President of HJ Heaven and Earth CheonBo Training Center), a publishing progress report (by Kim Dong-yeon, YSP President), congratulatory speeches (by Jung Won-ju, Vice President of Cheon Mu Won; Song Gwang- seok, President of FFWPU-Korea; Yang Chang-shik, Chairman of UPF International; and Hwang Sun-jo, Chairman of the Citizens’ Federation for the Unification of North and South Korea), a celebratory performance, author’s remarks, a toast, dinner, and closing.

Due to voice issues, Peter Kim conveyed his gratitude through a video message, saying, “I have finally completed my autobiography, which I had only thought about for 20 years without actually writing.” He explained the motivation behind writing his autobiography and added, “Although my life story may not be of much help, my unique course on the path of God’s will led me to write in a diary format, dreaming of a life settled in heart-to-heart unity with True Parents, and depicting the providential aspects of True Parents’ lives.” He personally approached each attendee, expressing deep affection.

Biography: Hyo-yul Peter Kim

Dr. Peter Kim was born in 1947 in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province, Republic of Korea. He joined the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) in 1965 and began his life as a public leader, first in the field of pastoral work and then in the FFWPU HQ Department of Culture. In 1970, Dr. Kim was blessed with Mrs. Phyllis Yamato during the 777 Couples Blessing Ceremony officiated by Rev.

Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. Dr. Kim received a doctorate in philosophy, honoris causa, from Sun Moon University. He joined the True Family in 1970 as a special instructor to the True Children, where he tutored Hyo Jin Nim and Heung Jin Nim. After relocating to the United States in 1974, he gradually assumed greater responsibilities as True Parents’ personal assistant. From 1990 onward, Dr. Kim served as True Parents’ official English interpreter during their numerous world speaking tours. In particular, Dr. Kim attended the 1990 World Summit held in Moscow as well as the summit meeting in 1991 between True Father and Premier Kim Il Sung in North Korea. In 2001, Dr. Kim interpreted for True Parents during their 50-state speaking tour in the United States. From 1994 onward, Dr. Kim also served in various executive positions: CEO of the New Yorker Hotel, president of the US Association of Korean FFWPU Missionaries, chairman of the Pacific Rim Educational Foundation in Hawaii, and vice chairman of the Hyojeong Global Unification Foundation. Dr. Kim also translated into Korean the book Life in the World Unseen (published in 1990 by Mirae Publishing House).

Congratulatory Speeches

Wonju Jeong McDevitt, Vice Chair:

Just hearing the name Peter Kim immediately brings True Father and True Mother to mind. Not only their faces but also the providential scenes where True Parents were with Peter Kim unfold like a movie. The times we worked together to attend True Parents are also vividly remembered with his name. I have been eagerly waiting for his autobiography to be published. I heard that most of the content testifies to True Parents rather than focusing on his personal story. I want to be the first to read it. Thanks to him, I want to meet True Father again, whom I miss, and deepen my heart towards True Mother, whom we serve now. Thank you, President Kim. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart.

Song Gwang-seok, President of FFWPU-Korea:

Peter Kim has served as True Parents’ hands, feet, and lips for over 40 years since 1974, staying close to them. Having attended True Parents for a long time and gone through the ups and downs of providence together, his autobiography is a great treasure of the Unification family that should

be preserved as the Acts of Cheon Il Guk. I believe Peter Kim understands True Mother’s earnest desire for Korean reunification better than anyone else. I think he has used this autobiography publication as an opportunity to further testify to True Parents’ lives and add strength to the providence of realizing Heavenly Unified Korea. His autobiography is filled with anecdotes testifying to True Parents’ lives rather than focusing on Peter Kim as an individual. In that sense, I sincerely congratulate Peter Kim once again on the publication of his autobiography, which will be remembered as the Acts of Cheon Il Guk.

Yang Chang-shik, Chairman of UPF International:

When I first received the manuscript of Peter Kim’s autobiography, I felt like I was holding a precious treasure in my arms. Watching him attend True Parents always as if they were his own parents, I often wondered, ‘How can he serve them so naturally and effortlessly, in perfect unity of heart and substance?’ A person who embodies all the virtues a leader should have - filial piety, loyalty, integrity, faith, wisdom, determination, justice, dedication, tolerance, and sincerity - as shown throughout his autobiography. The image of an elder brother who, even while bedridden, always asks visitors to “serve Mother well,” will forever remain in Unification history as an exemplar of eternal providence and filial piety. I will cherish the happiness of having walked alongside you, brother.

Hwang Sun-jo, Chairman of the Citizens’ Federation for the Unification of North and South Korea:

“Hyo-yul ah” I can still hear Father calling Peter Kim as if it were yesterday. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we could gauge True Parents’ mood by the tone in which they called his name. Peter Kim was the most trusted person by True Parents. He was a reliable assistant both spiritually and physically, and a filial son to True Parents. Peter Kim’s life has been a drama of weathering the turbulent history of providence while attending True Parents. His autobiography will make us reflect on what it means to attend. It will also help us understand True Parents’ breath behind the scenes of providential history, and I have no doubt that it will be an invaluable gift to our Unification family as we work towards the settlement of Cheon Il Guk.