God used my suffering to develop a new spiritual awakening throughout the USA

Sun Myung Moon June 30, 1984 Eighth Unification Theological Seminary commencement address Translator David S.C. Kim

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The graduating class, their parents, relatives, friends, UTS professors, administration and staff, ladies and gentlemen:

Originally I had planned to attend the Eighth UTS Graduation Ceremony taking place today to congratulate all of you thirty-eight graduates in person, however, since the prevailing and enormous impact of my testimony in the U.S. Congressional hearing, I have to be more cautious in my public appearances like this one simply because there are still many evil plotters trying to harm me in any way they can. For this reason I am unable to come to congratulate you in person. I hope you understand, this does not necessarily mean that your president, David S.C. Kim, is an incapable leader in persuading myself and mother to attend. (Sometimes your president is one of the most persistent and aggressive persuaders in our movement, can tell you that!) It is my decision ‘not to come person. I ask you not to blame Mr. Kim, as he succeeded in getting my commencement message.

To convey to you on my behalf today, I had one question that I raised to President Kim a few days ago and that is: “Why is this Eighth UTS graduating class so few in number?” There are only thirty-eight; it’s the smallest graduating class in seven years, out of the original fifty-five enrollees, President Kim

explained, some were deprogrammed, others from foreign countries went to outside colleges to make up the required equivalent to the American bachelor’s degree, some volunteered to join the national evangelical team, hoping to come back to the seminary in later years and so forth so that we lost approximately a dozen and a half students.

But this small number of graduates this year does not mean that it is a sign of less activity or lack of progress at UTS, quite the contrary I hope the seminary will expand. Upon speaking to you at this joyful and meaningful occasion, I’d like to refer to the recent United States Senate hearing on June 26th. I would like to pose the question, “What does this congressional hearing signify in God’s providence and dispensational timetable for the restoration of humankind and the world?

Since arriving in this country in 1972, 1 have gone through 12 years of suffering and unbearable persecution, regardless of my recent court trial in which the U.S. government convicted me and sentenced me to jail. God has miraculously utilized one person’s suffering and hardship to develop a new spiritual and religious awakening throughout the USA.

A new unity has emerged among religious leaders from denominations which in the past had differed; a unity based on the issue of religious liberty and freedom. These former religious rivals have now become friends working together towards a mutual and common goal: the right of religious freedom. Furthermore, this new religious atmosphere of unity of Christianity can easily bring about the harmony and cooperation of all major religions on the foundation of common values and goals. Thus a new spiritual and national revival is being created as a result of the senate hearing, definitely furthering the unity of presently scattered Christianity.

This trend, if continued, can revive the original American Founding Father’s spirit of the Judeo-Christian heritage of this country. This is one of the purposes for which God called me to come to America. This new hope for the world is taking place at this providential time in the midst of sharp division of two conflicting and warring ideological camps, democracy and the free world versus communism. These two opposing worlds have no solution to global problems between them. And a more serious threat of a global confrontation becoming a crisis exists. So this new spiritual and religious trend ignited by the Unification Movement, is becoming the new hope for the world in the middle of total despair and hopelessness.

What is your future mission as new UTS graduates?

As have just explained, a providential global turning point in history is taking place and a new direction for the world has just begun. As quickly as possible this new direction must be developed and expanded. Following the formula and examples I taught you, your mission is to take full responsibility and stand firm to become victors in the frontline battle between good and evil. You have already received enough academic and intellectual training and you have practiced the Unification tradition for two or three years at the seminary.

Thus you should thoroughly understand your founder’s thought, the ideals and goals ‘of our movement. You should know how to implement these ideals when you go out. You also are well-equipped with experience and knowledge of academic and religious ecumenism, as learned from various conferences, from theologians, philosophers, social scientists, and other scholars as well as ministers from different denominations and the leaders of other major religions in the world.

In every way, by now, you should be ready to go out into the field as the elite of the unification movement to fulfill God’s will and the founder’s desire and wish of unity of world religions: to teach and bring about a workable solution to the problems of democracy and communism, based on unification thought and belief.

You must be frontline leaders responsible for God’s will to build the kingdom of God on earth in your lifetime; not to leave this task to the next generation.

In this critical turning-point in history which favors God’s providence there are several total commitments you should make in your missions:

1) You should follow closely your founder’s life and faith and his dispensational course up until now; he has sacrificed himself and his family for the sake of higher goals, from the level of the tribe to the nation and the world, as your unification teaching shows, Jacob’s course was for Moses to follow; Moses’ course was for Jesus to follow; and Jesus’ course is for the lord of the second advent to follow, our founder’s course is for all of you to follow, thus fulfilling God’s dispensation,

2) Your second commitment should be to educate others as your successors, as many as possible, thus establishing a new religious education system. A new tradition must be born through this religious education, producing leaders in our movement on a continual basis,

3) Thirdly, your new commitment must include practical it action hand-in-hand with your ideals, theories, and dreams.

Many scholars often argue that they cannot find action but only talk about utopian ideas, your theories must be proven to be true and valid in action and practice a blueprint of a -famous architectural design is not enough; a builder must build and act following the blueprint thus a famous architectural work will become reality only when design and theory,, and building and action go together,

The ideal of the kingdom of God is taught in the unification movement and I want you to be the actual builders, even in your small portion of participation in the overall kingdom-building you must become leaders in practice be doers - don’t be spectators.

This way you’ll be good examples and models for others to follow.

At this point some of you may feel like it is too tough a job to accomplish or feel isolated in your missions.

However, all of us gathered here today will be joining in the task to build the kingdom of heaven on earth: your parents, relatives, teachers, administration and staff, alumni, remaining students, and all your friends - they are all here together today -not only to offer congratulations to you, but they will totally support and fully want to cooperate with your future mission of building the ideal kingdom in your lifetime.

You graduates will be in our prayers all the way.

We pray that God’s love, his heart, and divine guidance will be upon you in the frontline battle between good and evil in order to restore humankind and the world back to our heavenly father,

God bless you and your future and I wish you success in your new missions, thank you,