Standing In The Presence Of God

Reverend Sun Myung Moon
November 7, 1982
Belvedere
Translator - Sang Kil Han

It has been only 40 days since I was here last, but doesn't it seem like a much longer time? Why should such a short time seem so long? The time you spend while you are together with someone you love passes quickly, but the time you spend apart seems to go very slowly. The more you love someone, the more this is so.

We can imagine the spirit world where we will dwell within the love of God. There we will live for tens, thousands, millions of years and the time will go so quickly; you can imagine how quickly the time would pass. Would people who are living in the love of God in spirit world ever pause to think about getting old? There is nothing but goodness in such a place; the days begin with goodness, progress in goodness and end with goodness. People always feel joy and happiness; they are free from anxiety or need, since every desire is fulfilled. Therefore, life in the eternal spirit world can be simply described as happy.

Can you imagine such a place as Heaven which is full of love? When you are in God's presence, you naturally say, "God, I really love You and I never want to be separated from You." Let me ask you, do you love God? How much have you loved God? This is the most important element in our religious life. There is nothing just conceptual about God; God is as real as your own spouse. You have to feel that with every breath you take.

Those whose relationship with God is only within the realm of concept are inevitably unstable people. Since we don't normally meet with God constantly, there is nothing wrong with keeping God in our thoughts and dwelling with the concept of His constant presence. But if you just think about God once in a while and maintain a totally imaginary concept of Him, that is not enough.

Is your love for God a realistic love, the same as I feel when I hold Jeung-Jin-Nim and love everything about her? Sometimes she drools, her nose runs, and she has dirty diapers but it doesn't make any difference; she can do anything and I still love her. Have you ever felt that way for God? Such a love has no room for any rejection; whatever the beloved does is just fine.

What kind of prayers do you pray? If you love God so much, do you pray to Him, "God, please help me!"? Who is supposed to offer the help, the one who loves or the one who is loved? According to human relationships, when you like someone you automatically want to give him whatever you can; you want to help him. How would it sound if you said, "I like you, so please give something to me."?

Which is the more normal way of relating: "I like him, so I will help him," or "Since I like him so much, he should help me."? Certainly it is the first. The person who has the second attitude is really saying, "I don't really like you but I want your help." This is because if you really like and love someone, you don't expect anything from him; instead your desire is to give to him and to help him.

This is actually a very simple thing. When you really like someone, you want to continually give to him; after a while, if he wants to give to you, that is fine. However, your desire is not to receive from him in the first place. Similarly, to like someone and give to him with the secret desire to receive repayment from him eventually is hardly a true attitude of affection. Such an attitude has very little value.

There are some people who count up all the benefit they give to others and expect 100% return on their "investment." If you gave someone $100 with the expectation of receiving it all back, then your love is worth only $10O, or even less.

The question is, then, how much do you love God? Ten thousand dollars times ten thousand is $100 million. Do you like Him that much? What about one hundred times that? Ask yourself seriously this question: have you ever given anything to God that had real value? Do you really love God? Whom have you ever loved in the past in a comparable way? Do you love Him as much as you love yourself?

When you are cold, you put on warmer clothes; when you are hungry you feed yourself. You take really good care of yourself, but do you do the same for God?

You should know that this is a very important matter for your life. We all have only one lifetime; at the end of your life, the serious question you must answer will be how well did you actually love God. The question has already been raised by Jesus, as recorded in the Bible. He demanded of people that they love him more than their own spouses or children or anyone else.

Love is of all different qualities. What is the standard for loving which we must be able to meet before we are actually qualified to say to someone, "I love you"? You must know where you are in relation to that standard. Jesus' standard of loving included everything in a person's life: his loved ones and his precious belongings-everything. Each person has a claim on his own environment, his family, his country and his world. All of that had to be abandoned, if necessary, in order to love Jesus; this was the clear-cut standard which the Bible records.

Perhaps you think about these things and you pray with that attitude, but the true test is in how you live your life. Suppose you owned a whole country. If you really loved God, shouldn't you be able to sell the entire country and dedicate the money to God's service? When the citizens of your country heard about your dedication, perhaps they would be so inspired they would encourage you. On the contrary, perhaps those citizens would protest, saying, "No, we don't want to be sold!" Could God be happy with such a gift? God would tell you not to sell that country.

Perhaps such an idea is impossible, so consider if you owned a company which was very profitable and successful. What if you decided to sell the company? Some employees would encourage you, saying, "Yes, please sell the company and love God," but others would protest, saying, "No, I don't want to be sold." Would God say, "Go ahead and sell them, anyway, even though they don't want it"? No. God would not want to force them to be sold.

Coming down to a smaller level. suppose you decided to sell everything you owned, even your home, and dedicate the money to God? What is your standard for loving God ? Each of you may want to do anything at all for the love of God, but you must realize the difficulties involved when you actually try to carry out your wishes.

The value of God is greater than all the rest of the world; everything put together cannot equal the value of God. However, there has not been one single person who has had a love of such magnitude for God. For that reason, God has found Himself reduced to the value of just another small part of a person's life. God's value cannot be fully realized unless He has someone who can love Him according to the fullness of His true value.

If someone has done nothing at all for God's sake, yet freely asks His help at any time, what kind of sense does that make in terms of love? Perhaps you think you are ready to do absolutely anything for the sake of God. However, thinking is very different from doing. Thinking is very easy; acting is very difficult.

When God calls out to me, saying, "Reverend Moon, do you really love me?" I answer, "Yes." Then God asks. "What kind of love have you shown?" God wants to receive a huge love, in accordance to His true value. While I have been giving that kind of huge love to God. have you been helping me?

Instead of talking about a country or a company. Let's talk about our church congregation. Suppose I decided to hire out every one of you and dedicate the money to God? How would you respond? Would you say, "Yes, go ahead," or would you protest, saying, "No, I don't want to go!" Would you say, "But, Father, I belong to my family as much you, so I have to consult with my wife and children"?

If those of you here cannot agree to such a possibility, then God can only say, "I have never had a group of people who were willing to be dedicated to me. My value isn't even as great as a group of 300 people." In other words, God hasn't even received the love which was worthy of 300 persons.

Unification Church members constantly think and say that they are willing and able to give up their homes and their countries, but the problem is that they are only saying the words. You have never done anything like that. so it is a problem.

When you decide to go somewhere you must have the cooperation of your whole body-your feet, hands and faculties. If you don't, it is impossible to move and you feel very tired. What about God? He knows the right way for mankind to move, but sometimes you are willing and sometimes you are not. Doesn't God feel tired when you are not willing to cooperate? This is a serious problem.

Recently 6,000 couples were blessed in Korea. For whom were those couples married? It was for the sake of God. That means every aspect of their marriage must be for the sake of God, not just the ceremony. Will you say, "I will dedicate my spouse and marriage to you, God, after we have had some time together"? That is not true dedication. Out of the 6,000 couples, how many do you imagine are truly willing to be entirely dedicated to God? That is a serious matter, too.

Certainly God is worthy of having the entire universe dedicated to Him, not only 6,000 couples. Imagine if God told Jesus, "Dedicate the entire universe to Me." What would have been Jesus' response? Suppose Jesus had been able to gain Heavenly dominion over the Roman Empire? Would he have been willing to give it up if God demanded? Certainly, he would have done it willingly, in spite of the great difficulties involved in gaining dominion.

Consider the immensity of spirit world. If God gives a direction to someone in spirit world, he must obey. If someone refuses to do what God directs, he must repent and then turn in the direction which God has directed him to go. If he had a different opinion from God's, he must empty his mind and then follow God. However, it is very difficult to move or change direction in the spirit world. Even though a person's mind desires to move somewhere, the feet might refuse to budge. Once we shed our physical body, it is much more difficult to change our minds and move in a different direction.

Suppose I directed you to sell everything you owned and dedicate the proceeds to helping Africa. How would you respond? Would you jump to do it immediately? It is very easy to say yes, but doing it would be another matter.

The schooling process involves many steps: kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and so forth. Kindergarten makes it possible for you to enter elementary school and each step does the same for the next step. Now you must attend the school which will enable you to live in the Heavenly Kingdom. How far do you want to go in your schooling? You must go all the way to the highest level, the Ph.D. level for Heaven. The standard for that level is that you can love God more than anybody or anything else in the universe.

At what level of schooling are you now? Suppose you went to spirit world and God asked you, "How much did you love me while you were on earth?" Could you answer Him, "Well, Heavenly Father. I wanted to love You but my wife prevented me from it."? Such an answer is not acceptable. You must be sure while you are living that you are not only willing but able to love God.

Jesus' teaching was crystal clear on the standard of loving God. When one of his disciples asked him if he could go and assist in the funeral of his father, Jesus told him to stay with his mission and "Let the dead bury the dead."

Suppose someone were walking down the aisle to be married, the Wedding March was playing and God called him and told him to go somewhere else. God would not expect that he would go ahead and finish the ceremony, but instead would want to see him drop everything and obey His direction. Could you do such a thing?

As you know, I was called by God to go to North Korea at a very crucial moment when I was on my way to get food for my wife and child, who were hungry. Regardless of my situation, God told me "Go now," and to go to a dangerous place. If I had hesitated and tried to finish what I was doing before I listened to God, the Unification Church would not be anything today. Because I responded to God immediately, dropping everything else and doing what He directed, God could recognize that I loved Him more than anything else in the universe. Even though my first wife left me, God was able to give me a better wife and thirteen good children because of that early condition.

By the same token, I am ready and willing to give up all that I have accomplished so far in the Unification Church; therefore, God would be able to give me even greater things. The entire universe would appreciate such a thing, as well. There has never been anyone who was able to meet all the expectations of God but we are about to accomplish just that.

You must have a clear determination for your own life. You must think, "Even if I drop dead on the way, I will be so much better off than if I never began the journey. My descendants will be able to finish the task because I started it for them." When you have such a clear vision of your goal, you will achieve it; but if you don't, you might as well forget about it.

A dramatic example of this was seen in the history of the Israelites, when they were traveling in the wilderness toward Canaan. They should have been so determined to escape Egypt, because it was the will of God. that they would have been willing to rush forward into the Red Sea. even if it didn't open and they all drowned. At this time the Unification Church is engaging in an exodus on the world level-out of this secular world and into the Heavenly one. Therefore, each of you must face obstructions from your families and friends who try to hold you back, saying. Don't go to those Moonies!"

What is God's purpose in leading people into Canaan? Why couldn't people just stay where they are and try to create an ideal from there? It is because God needs to be able to call some place His own. God wanted the Israelites to go to Canaan and establish a nation where He could say, 'This is the nation in which the people loved God more than anyone else on the earth." That was the reason for the exodus. They had to know very clearly that God had such a clear purpose in leading them from Egypt. But we have learned from history that the Israelites complained and faltered and died in the wilderness; they became the prey of eagles.

Why did they have to go through a wilderness before entering Canaan? There was a good reason-it was the responsibility of the Israelites to establish the condition of enduring difficulty and gaining victory by themselves.

The Israelites hoped and waited for 4,000 years for the messiah, but were they supposed to just live happily ever after once he came? No, they had to work together with the messiah to establish the kind of country that loved God more than anyone else in history had ever done. Moses was their leader and he gave them their directions. There should have been no complaints; it was difficult enough. If they had followed faithfully, they would have successfully entered into Canaan.

Today we are repeating the exact same process. We are repeating the 40 years of wilderness at this time on the world level, to enter Canaan on the world level. Canaan was occupied by 31 enemy tribes of Israel. Where is our Canaan and who occupies it?

Moscow is where we "must go." It is not a peaceful place which will welcome us with open arms, so why is God directing us to go there? It is because we must also go through our portion of responsibility on our own; only in that way can God give us the credit for winning our own victory.

The 40 years of wilderness on the world level for the Unification Church is the time in which we must establish that we have loved God, collectively, more than anybody else in the past. What is the Red Sea of today? It is the red ideology of communism, far more formidable than any body of water. We must clearly realize now-and remember-that we have an historical task ahead of us. We must complete our 40 years in the wilderness, reaching our destination safely by following the command of our leader and establishing God's nation. This is our whole purpose for being here.

I came to America for this reason. God wanted me to come here and accomplish this on the world level, in a country which represented the world. America is not welcoming our exodus or our efforts to establish God's country. The efforts of communists are strong, but we must be stronger.

The Israelites slaughtered lambs and put the blood on their doorways as a sign that they belonged to God. By our doing home church, we too will have such a sign on our doorways. God certainly realizes that although you are Americans, you are treated like aliens when you go to home church. People do not consider you one of them, but instead call you "Moonie." This is exactly what the Israelites had to endure. They took all their possessions with them on their exodus and we are in the same position. They dedicated everything to their new cause. This is why many new members of the church dedicate their belongings to help the cause of the church.

When we stand in the presence of God, what would God want of us? Certainly it is clear that God wants to receive the largest dedication, the entire universe. We are the soldiers of Heaven; good soldiers do not think about whether or not they will get hurt. They just work for their victorious objective.

As you know, you can jump forward and land on the target. However sometimes you can become too cozy at different stages on the way. Sometimes you feel so comfortable with your family, your home and so forth that you forget your purpose has not yet been achieved. You are still in the wilderness and you will become the prey of eagles if you stop moving forward. If you are not confident of winning over all the various temptations, you must authorize someone else to drag you to the goal. You should determine, "It is better to die along the way than to stay where we are."

Why must we do all this? We must fulfill God's fervent desire to see someone on the earth willing and able to establish the condition for God to claim the entire world. As Moonies, you must be strong soldiers willing to fight on the world level for the sake of the love of God. Do you have that kind of clear-cut purpose? Moonies are the only ones who can give God true hope at this time.

We have a reason to be thankful to God because He has given us this opportunity to be the ones to fulfill His hope. Our situation is unique in all of human history; therefore, you must be proud soldiers with the ability to go over all obstacles, no matter how difficult. God is asking you, "How far will you go? Where will you stop?" You must tell Him that you will go all the way to the goal. Can you do that?

When good soldiers march. they never straggle and wander; they keep straight lines and proudly display their colors. When there is a command all the Unification Church members will be mobilized. God can look down and be so proud and say, "My victorious people! Amen!" and He will bless us.

These things must not be considered only when you are attending Sunday sermons. You must have this kind of determination even when you are kissing your bride, or when you mothers are nursing your babies. Always your basic purpose in life must underscore all your activities. This is the way I have lived my entire life. I know clearly that God wants you to set the standard of those who have loved Him more than anyone else in history. Even if we must land in jail or even if we die, it is better to do that with our Heavenly pride intact than to give up. Of course, we must achieve our goal here on the physical plane before we go to spirit world.

When I was flying across the Pacific Ocean on my way back to this country, I was thinking, "Accomplishing this goal is going to be difficult for American people but nevertheless this is the goal. They must go this way regardless of how difficult it is. They must not forget their goal no matter what." This has been my prayer since returning to America. Although your fundraising and witnessing work is difficult, you must be able to go through it. If somehow you die before you achieve your goal, it is better than just giving up. You must not drop your responsibilities, even though the burdens may be so heavy; once you have done that you cannot pick them up again. We must simply keep going, now as in the past.

More importantly, your activities must not be motivated out of obligation-because your leaders or I say you must. This is truly the only path and you must feel the desire to go, on your own. Our only chance for success is for each person to want to go, on his own, regardless of who opposes us. God is watching each of you, so you had better make this your own philosophy. When the Israelites lost their perspective and desired a different direction from Moses', they all perished. Above all, you must do what you do because you want to do it. This is the most important element of success.

Twenty-one years ago I predicted that there would come a time when the whole world would come against the Unification Church and that would be the sign that our time was drawing near. Today we see that such a thing is happening and opposition is all around us. We must go through these barriers, ready to face more opposition in the future. Although many have complimented me and called me a success in Korea and America, we must continue to consider our situation tentative. We still have the formidable goal of Moscow. Therefore we must never be content or satisfied; any moments of rest we have must be used as preparation for the fight ahead.

When David stood in front of Goliath, he could not have ordinary thoughts and still win over that giant. We, too, must take the position of David and with the attitude solely of serving God, we must win the victory. With that determination, the Goliath country of communism will appear much more vulnerable.

America will only come to our aid when we have won over Moscow and the whole world can see it. Have no wishful thinking that secular America will help us accomplish our victory; we must be able to do it on our own. You must realize that our opposition is not altogether bad; they oppose you because you are not worthy enough. When they persecute you and kick you, you must determine to become better than you are now; use your opposition as a lesson. In fact, they are kicking you to prepare you for going to Moscow.

Can you say, "I am an American and I will participate in the American dispensation, but I can't go to Moscow."? That means you are resting here in America, but this is no place to rest. If you stop here, everything will come to destruction; you must have the attitude to go all the way to the end.

We must go to communist China and the communist satellite countries too. We have many church members who have been imprisoned and even died in those countries, so how can you confidently think you are an exception? You may have to be next. I myself went through such a course, so you must resolve yourselves to take on that way, too.

I have never thought I was in a safe place when I did my dispensational work; the higher the dispensation, the more the risk has grown. You should realize what level we have achieved and align yourself with my movements. It is your responsibility to set up your own condition of faith on your level which will agree with my level.

What will be your attitude when I go to Africa? Will you just want to stay behind here. or will you say, "No matter what, if Father goes to Africa, I will go, too"? What if I had a big, huge ship located in the middle of the ocean and I called for you to join me there. Would you do it, determined to live the rest of your life there? Would you complain of seasickness and excuse yourself? You must determine that even if you died of seasickness, you would go on that boat in order to remain with me.

If you were on that big boat. you might have to dwell down in the cargo area and couldn't see anything outside. Only 1, as the captain. would be able to read the compass and determine where we were going. Therefore, you would have to trust in my judgment absolutely, isn't that correct? Do you really believe in me?

You do not know exactly what I did while I was in Korea the last time and what kinds of instructions I gave. The professors on college campuses and many organized Christian groups were astounded by the impact I had there. Just the assembly of 6,000 couples for the blessing was an incredible testimony to the Korean people, more than any words could be. After that, I was able to give guidance to many people. even those who were not members.

Do you like to receive directions from me? Perhaps you feel burdened by these sermons. But in no time at all, you will receive word that the battle is finished and the victory is won. Then you will ask, "Where is my heavy load?" Don't you think I have many heavy burdens to carry? I must take responsibility for hundreds of millions of dollars of expenses for the church around the world. Do you know why I receive most of my persecution? It is indirectly because of you. If even one of you behaves in a shameful way, such as getting drunk and acting wildly in public, automatically the shame is transferred to all the members of the church and Reverend Moon. Ask yourself how you have eased the burdens I must carry.

Once you have gone beyond the national levels and ,rained victory, the injustices of the past can be redeemed. This is what I expect. Do you think it is good or bad to carry a heavy burden on your shoulders now? It is good. God is contained within that goodness. Can we say that God is truly victorious at this time? Only when God can claim His victory on the level of the physical world, man's body, can He be truly victorious. God will be a substantial reality in the substantial world. Every part of your body must be that of goodness-your eyes, your legs, your arms. Always guide your actions by what God would do. If God would do something, then you can, too.

What do you think would have happened had the Israelites successfully entered Canaan? We have no way of knowing, but chances are good that God would have sent the Israelites back to save Egypt. The same applies to you. Once you win victory, God will want to send you back to your hometowns and families, no matter how much they oppose you.

God wants me to go to the communist world to win the victory there. My plan is to leave America, win the victory elsewhere and then return here to share that victory with the people here. At that time Americans will finally understand how wrong they were. God himself will be able to share in that victory.

What do you think will happen once we have won this court case in America? The war will be finished here and I will feel free to leave at any time. Even if members beg me to stay here, I will follow God's will and go wherever He directs. What about you? America" could be read "A merry car"-this country certainly has lots of beautiful cars and everybody wants to enjoy life and ride around in their beautiful cars. Do You want to stay here and enjoy the good life? Or will you be different from the rest of the country? You are Americans. but very far from the mainstream of secular life because you are anchored to the teachings of Reverend Moon.

You must focus on goals, even at Christmas time when everyone else becomes very sentimental and wants to go home. When Lot was told to leave Sodom and Gomorrah, he obeyed immediately. However, his wife was much more reluctant and she turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back. The same principle is true of the Moonies. When Reverend Moon is told to leave Belvedere, East Garden, and Barrytown behind, what must be my attitude? I will go forward, never looking back. Sometimes my wife might call to me, "Look back here!" but I tell her, "No! You must follow me!"

You have your spouses, your current responsibilities and projects, and perhaps you have some material possessions, but you must be able to drop everything the way I have described and follow God's direction. The only thought we must have is how to accomplish the expectations of God.

There are many Ph.D. candidates in the audience today. Do you share my viewpoint like the rest of the members? Perhaps you have already decided that you will work as a professor after you graduate in order to restore other professors? Or do you think that the Ph.D. doesn't really matter, that the only thing important is to become a worthy child of God, pure and unstained your whole life? You must think, "Because I have a Ph.D., I will love God on the highest level." Do you love God more than your Ph.D.?

Have you loved God more seriously and earnestly than your new husband or wife? Your relationship with God is more fundamental and important than that of your spouse. If you were desperately hungry, would you be able to think of God before food? Sometimes you men might have thoughts of an old girlfriend or lover and you feel an intense desire taking over a certain part of your body. That is the moment when you must command your body to subside and remember that it must love God first and foremost. This is a serious matter. It is not really your fault that as men you have strong appetites for love-God made you that way. The three strongest desires in human beings are for personal ownership, love, and food. The only way we are different from other people is that we are able to overcome those desires when we want to.

If you owned two things, would you give the better or the lesser one to God? Actually, you would want to give God the better, but God would want you to give the better gift to someone else. People usually are greedy' however, wanting to keep the best things for themselves Also people have tremendous desires for the opposite sex which can become obsessive. In your daily fight against yourself and your appetites, you ought to keep a diary and record each day whether you were victorious or not. At the end of your year you can tally up how many days of victory or defeat you had; each year you have to improve. This is not abstractions we are talking about but daily reality.

We must live this way because we must prepare during our lives on earth for our eternal lives in spirit world. I have experienced every honorable occupation in order to understand what they are like. When God directed me to do that. I could only obey. I worked as a farmer because God told me to. I even fought with my fists, hunted' etc. Certain members told me that drinking the blood of the deer was good to do, so I had to rise to the challenge and do it. Suppose God was watching me, observing that I could do anything challenging for the sake of His providence, but I faltered when it came to drinking the blood of deer. I would have stopped just one step short of doing everything God directed.

The point is that I had to be willing to do anything for the sake of God and not limit myself according to my own concepts. I could go out and captain the fishing boats. As a result of that I have had an unlimited realm of activity and I can associate with a unlimited number of people. But if someone limits himself, he must be confined only to certain society.

Therefore, for the sake of God's dispensation, there must be nothing you cannot do. How would you like to be a spy for God? There are lots of spies in the secular world, so how about God's world? Shouldn't He, too, have spies? As you know, Moses sent Joshua and Caleb into Canaan to spy for the Israelites. Our members in the communist satellite countries are inevitably in the position of spies; they can never proclaim their religion openly without suffering certain imprisonment or death. Each of you must think that if something is good enough for God, it must be good enough for you. Do you understand?

Moonies must be able to choose the most difficult way, the way of liberation for God. We must revive the foundation of Christianity and overcome moral problems. Will you follow my way, even though it is most difficult? That which is most difficult is also the most valuable.

Whenever God gives a direction. we must be able to respond without hesitation. Are you going to continue the struggle upward now, choosing the steepest, roughest slope? It is going to be very difficult, so are you confident you can do it? In some armies. the soldiers are helpless without some command from the general. However, the better army can rely on the lowest level commander, such as a platoon leader, when the general is away because they already know what the general would desire. Certainly the second army would be the most successful.

In the Unification Church. Reverend Moon is the general. Even when I am away, you must have the willingness to obey any other leader's direction. That will make us the strongest army. Do you think the general would ever reprimand the soldiers for totally obeying their platoon leaders? Not at all. He will appreciate that and will be very proud of them; perhaps he can rest better at night because he knows he can trust his soldiers. Raise your hands if you only came to Belvedere today because you heard that l had returned. In the future, you should come to Belvedere whether or not I am here. Will you do that?

I want each of you to become worthy of receiving all of God's blessings. Do you resolve to do that? Thank you.

Witnessing Sun Myung Moon's International Matching -- The grandest performance of all

Jonatha A. Johnson
October 14, 1982

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We are here in the auditorium of the Little Angels Performing Arts Center. The full-size stage features a curtain of waves, a huge rising sun in shades of orange and gold. Four white flying cranes are superimposed over the image of the sun, surrounded by multicolored clouds. Splashing waves make a transition from the stylized ocean to the colorful red and cloudy sky.

The texture seems to be like embroidery, giving the curtain the semblance of a handmade rug. The lower corner says HAPPY WORLD.

A collection of very high crystal chandeliers against the red velvet ceiling give the impression of crystal snowflakes -- for they have a flattened appearance from where we sit below.

Gilded white pillars, moldings and door paneling surround the room, and all around, brothers and sisters sit in anticipation of Father's arrival, in anticipation of meeting their eternal mate.

As True Parents come in, everyone stands. The sea of heads -- brown, black and blackest black heads before me shifts and sways as sisters lean to get a better view of Mother; curiosity rushes forward to gaze upon her, to see what she is wearing, while others see her for the first time.

Mr. David S.C. Kim is translating as Father asks to see each group -- Europeans, Africans, Asians, Koreans, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Latin Americans... and hands are raised eagerly.

Father is speaking of the central role of Israel, how Christianity established the spiritual foundation. But since only the spiritual foundation was won, the Second Coming was necessary. Only because the spiritual foundation was successfully laid could the Second Coming happen.

We should think about what indemnity should be paid, what conditions to set up, for the time will repeat very similarly, with relationships between the providential nations of today resembling Israel and the Roman Empire two thousand years ago.

Christians in Korea failed to support Father, and the Christian foundation was substantially lost, with Christianity gradually coming to oppose Father by 1976, when all nations -- especially the Christian nation of America -- persecuted him. Father had to take the position of attacking America in order to restore the situation where Israel and Rome failed to support Jesus. The One World Crusade from 1975 was like an army against misguided Christianity.

Father is speaking many things about the immigration situation and trials in America. There's lots of laughter, but I cannot quite pick up what is funny. It seems to be the Orientals who are laughing most quickly. Anyway, it seems to be jokes about the C.I.A. or Immigration Service telling Father they have to leave him alone, now. The trial and appeal are now being called by Father "The Last Indemnity Mountain." Victories will come as Father's name is cleared. And from then, Father will go on to visit the world. The entire audience applauds in happy gratitude and anticipation.

Father stands at the point of having indemnified 6,000 years during these 21 years.

The significance of this Blessing means that the Feast of the Lamb which Jesus was meant to hold is now being carried out by us. The 10,000 couples will take this Blessing back to their countries -- not just one couple, Jesus and his bride -- but 10,000 couples going out all over the world.

Here in the Little Angels' Auditorium, Father says, we are all the little angels! But you have to make the evolution from angels to Adam and Eve! Do not feel that you are all from some nationality; you are from heaven. We are citizens of the Kingdom of heaven here on earth.

Matching begins

Father asked first for those brothers who wished to be matched with Western sisters, and women who wanted to be matched with Orientals. Of the sisters, he asked who preferred Koreans, and most raised their hands; other brothers and sisters applauded. About 15 Korean brothers were called to stand in the central aisle, and then carefully matched to sisters -- some German, some English, some American.

The remaining Western sisters were matched to Japanese -- except for a few. Father kindly placed his hands upon their shoulders, said a few personal words, and dismissed them until later.

Now Western brothers are taking matches with Oriental sisters. Father is matching rather quickly, and we can feel his high confidence in Japanese sisters. Father called for Africans, and Westerners who wanted to be matched with African members. The room took on an especially serious and concerned atmosphere. Father continued, matching African brothers with African sisters, but it became evident that men outnumbered African women. On the stage, our European missionary to Gabon, Dr. David Schweitzer, stood proudly beside his slender black Zairean wife-to-be, and waved to the audience a sweeping salute of victory.

Father called for Korean men who especially requested Japanese wives. This matching was especially lively, with murmurs and quiet cheers from Japanese and Koreans still seated, craning their necks and squirming to get a better view. These couples lightheartedly trotted from the main floor, up the four steps, along the low-rise balcony, toward a quiet place to gaze upon the face of their potential mate and discuss together. Happy applause accompanied their hasty exits.

Next day

One more day has arrived, and again we are awaiting Father's arrival. Rev. Kwak is here, Byung Ho Kim is here, also President Lee and his wife, Mrs. Won Pok Choi, Mrs. Durst, and from London is the lovely Mrs. Im Ko Marshall. I see Rev. Yo Han Lee, president of the Korean church. Of course many other leaders were in attendance, but there's an advantage to being known in America -- one is more likely to be mentioned by name. As I observe these "Koreans in action," I can see how much they are like mother hens. For all their long history, they were isolated from the doings of the world -- turning inward -- deepening their culture of family relationships, closing the Chosun nation off from interference from the outside world. Now since 1945, under God's command they are newly turned towards the world -- expansionists, some would say expansionists-of-heart. Mr. Oyamada is here, Mr. Kuboki, and someone points out Mr. Chang from Taiwan.

The deepening of trust

Father begins, asking members what language he should speak. Korean? Japanese? English? Only those members who are as yet unmatched are allowed into the room, making the environment much more intimate than before. All remaining fit easily into the central floor, encircled by gold-tone lotus petal medallions and rich walnut wood frames of the low-rise balcony area. Near the stage are Koreans. Beside them is a large bloc of Japanese. The French-speaking African brothers sit close together in order to hear their translator, as Father first begins speaking Korean with Mr. David Kim translating into English.

We have five colors in the Unification Church, and many cultures and lifestyles within those five colors. You must understand Father is going to unite you from those different colors, nations and civilizations into one new culture -- Unification. This will be the heavenly kingdom.

We have to make new habits and begin a new lifestyle. (Father speaks now in clear English).

We need a new culture -- new life and new customs! This is the Unification Movement -- making a new culture in the world.

An overcoming spirit and much endurance are necessary in bringing a new lifestyle. How will we unite all these differences? Leaving people alone will not work -- we need some method.

It's the same with a man and a woman: they cannot remain separated for their lifetime, but they must join in holy matrimony and become one.

When Father marries two cultures together, they must become one. Many difficulties arise when we marry black and white cultures together.

Father is speaking about the necessity of leaving the old habits behind -- how he sent missionaries to Africa to bring discipline, to bring the word of Principle, and especially to bring spiritual power through spiritual love. Now as Moonies, we all have two strong points; we could say it's spiritual power with two directions:

First is spiritual power beginning with the family and then spreading to the world. Second is spiritual love. Spirit and love -- with these two we must overcome every barrier.

Father is speaking of the high-flying crane as the symbol of high spirituality, standing on one leg and always looking up. Proudly Father points out the exquisite red-capped cranes on the stage curtain, and mentions their popularity in both China and Korea.

Four seasons

Korea -- that's the Asian nation with four clear seasons of summer, autumn, winter, spring, making it natural that Koreans can adjust to all climates of the world.

Mr. Kim and Father stand one smiling African brother up front -- Father tells him he must be the one to go to the North Pole, even. And learn to adjust! Laughter ripples around the room. The brother gives his consent.

Father continues. We must be the ones to transmit our culture to the new generation -- we marry to make a new race. By marriage, you will have a family.

Father warns African brothers that the white culture was very oppressive and persecuting to blacks. But the purpose of marrying is not to take revenge. Our marriages must not be based on past resentments. There's a warning from Father that when a black person marries a white person, all these past resentments are very likely to come forward and rise to the surface of our emotions.

So, you must overcome this with your love.

It's a possibility that some marriages might fail, even when Father gives the Blessing, if we don't keep our responsibility. The audience is very quiet and listening so closely to these tender words of concern from our Father.

A Lesson in indemnity

In speaking about indemnity and overcoming resentment, Father goes over to the young Korean men and switches to the Korean language. It isn't immediately understandable to those of us not fluent in Korean. But suddenly Father offers a demonstration on the application of personal indemnity, and one young Korean brother in the front row is visibly moved. Brothers and sisters can instantly feel his situation. From across the aisle, we can see that even the Korean brothers were not exactly sure of Father's purpose either, for the moment.

Then Father, with Mr. Kim in attendance, quickly strides to the other end of the room and gives a similar demonstration to a handsome African brother. And Father's very kind and embracing voice is heard saying something like this, "If you receive indemnity from Father you might have resentment, so that's why Father teaches the Korean first -- so, no resentment!" Everyone responds, like ripples against the sand, returning to their source, and the African brother is deeply touched by Father's words. Other brothers behind and beside him reach out to pat his back and tap his shoulders in a spontaneous action of good-natured support. Trickles of soft sound indicate understanding as Father's heart fills the room. Everyone laughs again as the atmosphere lifts, like fog under the rays of morning sun.

Parents

Father speaks of parents. If some members' parents oppose too strongly, then Father would decline to match and marry them, black with white. The same holds true for the Japanese; but Father adds one strong point, that it is the nature of the parents of Japanese, if they do not oppose their child's international marriage, to want to visit the nation of their child's spouse. It will be very special, a very beautiful way for international harmony, when Japanese sisters marry African brothers, and the Japanese parents make the long journey to visit their home in Africa.

Visions of Japanese mothers in colorful kimonos, bowing politely to Africans in the marketplace... placing fresh flowers on tables in African homes... suddenly come to us as in dreams. Japanese Eves may be able to touch the heart of Africa in ways whites wouldn't be able to imagine! Now Father's larger vision of world peace is becoming clear. International Blessing will bring parents in the providence of God.

Mr. Kim's tone indicates that Father is now ready to switch to a deeper level of his message to us. And Father begins.

If you have no connection to Heavenly Father, then such an international marriage makes no sense.

Indemnity means the "left side" must go to the "right side," or, as we call this, the transformation of Cain side by crossing over to Abel side. The more highly developed nations must exchange places with the lower, underdeveloped nations. This crossing is done through indemnity. Simply marrying a man and a woman from these two cultures just does not work; only by beginning at the individual level and beginning within the Unification family, does restoration occur. For each of you, restoration must begin within your family.

Our final goal is the exchange of Cain and Abel on the worldwide level. Without passing through this process, there is no reaching Heavenly Father.

If African brothers came to the matching to receive an international match because they have decided that they don't like African women, then that is the wrong reason.

Principled thinking

Then Father turns to the Western women, and it seems he is especially addressing the American sisters: If you are here because you don't like American men, then it is the wrong thinking! Father is speaking to one American sister very directly. (On her way into the matching room this day, she had spoken of her concern, saying she wanted a Korean husband. "Why?" her friend asked. "Because I don't like American men," she replied honestly. But how could Father have known?!)

This American sister then nodded very vigorously, when Father asked her if she really could understand the level of heart he was now teaching. A rippling went through the sisters, and maybe more than one of us needed to understand this very point.

Father has continued on, switching from American to Japanese sisters, now speaking in Japanese. Mr. Kim explains that Father is giving them a synopsis of all the points which have been covered today. We sit quietly while all the sequences of emotions triggered by Father, stimulating responses in Japanese minds, now slosh back and forth like waves on a sunny beach beside us in the wind- chime language called Japanese. It's fascinating how the lights play upon the shiny black Oriental hair, casting blue highlights which glimmer as rows of sisters tip and bow their heads.

As I glance more around this beautiful room, I am beginning to understand what I missed before. The religiosity of this decor is not Western, but more like Chinese Buddhist. I'm simply out of my element. Chinese, the Koreans, and probably also the Japanese certainly respond to different environmental cues than Westerners do, and if we tune our spirituality to a different key, then we'll be able to pick up more finely this Buddhist peaceful vibration. The spirituality of this room speaks of having arrived -- at the time and place of universal harmony.

Father thunks a Japanese sister -- and then he wanders over to the brothers -- an African brother ducks, so Father reaches to thunk the white (red- faced) brother behind him. Mr. Kim is encouraging them to say, "Thank you, Father."

Father continues his message in English. When you love the persons representing your nation, then you may be qualified to come to this international matching. First you must love the people of your country; this is the Principled process of thinking.

Loving one person first, then pushing up to loving the whole nation and being willing to accept any marriage, any match, first. When you have accomplished this in your heart, then you may tell Father if you have a preference. Father has spoken these things to clear up these concepts in your thinking.

The Authority of Love

Father is almost ready to start the matching, now, for this third and final day. One thing has become very clear during this precious time of speaking and demonstration which our Father has given: Father, under God's great and masterful hand, is truly the authority over these wondrous international matchings.

Father has taken responsibility for the lives of these members. He is now taking responsibility for their love, their family life, and consequently for their descendants. And from these nuclear centers of love -- husband and wife -- it will ultimately be that Sun Myung Moon is taking responsibility for our nations, too. In Sun Myung Moon lies the authority for taking care of the future of the world.

Father addresses the Koreans directly and speaks in Korean, very rapidly, very strongly, with Mr. Kim still standing attentively at his side. Silence and a serious attitude fall over the entire room. So fast are the words coming, words... of what? The necessity of setting the standard, I would believe.

I glance from time to time to interpret Rev. Kwak's face -- he has been silently watching from the floor -- but Rev. Kwak's countenance is a study in practiced inscrutability, but less so than the faces close beside him. David Kim softly tells us that Father was speaking of the significance of this Blessing: it is not just an international marriage -- it is the Unification Church Blessing.

First stage of world peace

This is the first stage of world peace. In the church you must cross the family level first before crossing into the international level. The first stage in the Unification Church is marriage. Then you must influence your nation, as the second stage.

I believe that Father is explaining how our Unification Church membership really begins with our Holy Marriage.

Sisters

Speaking in Japanese, Father stands before the young Japanese sisters, a bit to my left, and he's gesturing while he speaks. His voice is softer than I have ever heard him speak in America. Only in prayer have I heard him use this tone. His voice gives a kind of quality to the words -- even though I cannot understand a single one -- that I will never, never be able to forget.

These sisters are young. Most do not speak English or any language other than Japanese. One cries silently, dropping her face in a gesture of utter humility. In unison, they answer Father's series of questions with, "Heih!" which is Japanese for "Yes."

Short black hair over a sea of pastel -- blue, pink and white dresses. Yellows. They're sitting in orderly rows on their folded knees. Like regimented flowers or black-capped Easter eggs.

In contrast are Western sisters with multi-colored heads of hair, sitting in a patternless random collection. Rather than the straight and vertical impression of students in a classroom, there is a leaning -- forwards, back, left or right, giving an impression of friends watching a softball game at a picnic.

Now that Korean sisters are standing in the central aisle, I can clearly see their clothes: mostly two-piece suits in dark colors -- grays, blues, browns, maroon, a few whites scattered in. They look like they came for serious business. They too seem young -- 23 or 24 years old.

Father asks the Korean sisters if they would prefer a Korean even though this is an international Blessing? Most readily indicate, "Yes."

Father then turns to the non-Oriental brothers who indicated they would like a Korean wife, and speaks, in Korean. The faltering translation comes out, twice in confusion, before a moment of silence -- and then Father speaks again, with perfectly clear translation following: "Can you Western men really love these Korean girls, with the same love as a Korean man would give them?"

Father emphasizes that in international marriage every difference will be a problem, but in English Mr. Kim has translated it to say, "Every difference will be difficult." Instantly, Father corrects this, saying, "Problem!" All the elements of lifestyle will be serious causes for problems. Even chopsticks will be a problem.

We have continued after lunch.

Father went and spoke Korean to the Koreans, grabbing one young man with too-shaggy hair, brushing it off his forehead and making him stand up. He was caught between a tear and a grin.

Then Father took a small Korean sister with a very shaggy permanent and demonstrated her curls in front of everyone, with gestures which did not need any explanation. Members were caught between silence out of consideration for her feelings, and irrepressible snickers at Father's style. This is our Father, educating his children, so no offense was taken, and it became clear that everyone was entertained.

Father pointed out how all the Japanese sisters sat on their knees, and suddenly he ordered all the European, American and African brothers onto their knees! Unwrapping their long legs, unfolding themselves from long hours on the floor, we could feel their knees creaking in protest clear around the room. Wave after wave they rolled from backsides onto knees at Father's insistence, and the entire room was shaken in laughter.

Father began speaking in English about the strict, disciplined way.

On the foundation of trust

It seems Father has taken a long time -- as if he was delaying this final day of matching. Why? There are still many brothers and sisters to match. The Wine Ceremony is to be the same day as the rehearsal, the 13th. Will he begin matching very quickly now? There's a lot of concern felt in the air, and it's easy to see what Father is doing. He's building a climate of trust, because so many brothers and sisters have never met our Father before. They've come from so far away, joined the movement out of faith, and now they have met our father of faith.

I remember meeting Father for the first time, that weekend in early May of 1976. Father had started off on a valiant sermon... gearing for the victory of Yankee Stadium; but about 20 minutes into his speech he stopped abruptly, asking how many of us had never seen him before. More than half of us new recruits raised our hands... and Father cast a long, soft, penetrating, and all-knowing gaze over the eager and young American family. Internally, he lowered the gears of his heart about five notches and began all over again, a completely new sermon, which we, as babies, could receive, that lovely Sunday in May.

That first experience of meeting Father was six and one half years ago. And now I was witnessing Father again, again before an audience where many had never seen him before, and this time he stood as True Father, the Matchmaker who would select their eternal mate for them. History will testify that "Matchmaker" is truly Father's grandest role of all! 

Blessing Prayer for the 5,837 Couple Blessing

Sun Myung Moon
October 14, 1982
Jams il Gymnasium, Seoul, Korea

Loving Heavenly Father,

On this historic day of October 14, 1982, as we reflect on the last 22 years which You have designated, we come to realize how desperate you are to embrace all mankind with your love.

Originally, God had the ideal of creation and He prepared the cosmic foundation through the ideal of love. We know that You had the ideal to connect the individual, family, tribe, nation, and world together, centered on love.

Adam and Eve, who were supposed to fulfill this ideal, were the center of all individuals on the individual, family, tribal, national, world-wide and cosmic levels. We know that your great ideal was to actualize all of this; the realm of God's ideal love as the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

You created Adam and Eve according to this ideal, but it was lost by one mistake. True individual, family, tribe, nation, world and true cosmos were also lost.

Furthermore, Your sorrow of not being able to stand on the true throne of God and not being able to have dominion over the realm of love started from the day of the fall. We know that this caused You resentment and also caused the historical resentment of mankind.

We know that in order to resolve these historic and cosmic sorrowful events You have caused many religions to appear so that the true individual could be restored.

We also know that You have tried to connect such an individual to the true family, tribal, national, worldwide and cosmic levels, but although large numbers of religious men believed in Your will, they could not fulfill it on this earth.

In order to fulfill this will, Jesus Christ came on the world-wide level. As a true son of God and as a true man, he was to be blessed with a true bride who was to be the object of love in accordance with Your ideal.

Then, based on the horizontal foundation he was to achieve the true realm of "family heart," with children centered upon Your direct love. Jesus was to actualize the ideal of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth on the family, tribal, national and world-wide levels at the same time, by placing the realm of the ideal on the vertical level into the realm of love on the horizontal level.

He could not fulfill this will of Yours, however, because the people of that time could not fulfill their mission.

Through 2,000 years of Christianity You have been trying to fulfill this will again on this earth. You have even tried to fulfill the realm of the ideal of love in the spirit world. Such has been the will of Heavenly Father.

This history of actualizing God's will again on earth was not based on the foundation of spirit and body, but rather upon the victorious spiritual foundation gained by the course of the cross, which became necessary due to Satan's invasion.

The foundation expanded from the realm of the tribe out to the worldwide level, and preparation was made for the coming of the Second Advent. Religions could not form the national foundation based on the unity of spirit and body, but they developed only as a foundation for the world of spirit.

Today, on the world-wide level, we know that this cultural foundation is led by America and other countries of the free world.

Now that the victorious spiritual foundation has been inherited and the tribe of the Second Advent is here, the Unification Church is called in front of Heaven and Earth, and in front of God's will. Before You, it must offer the substantial realm of the victorious individual standing on the unity of spirit and body completely connected, centering on love.

It must build the foundation for a family centered upon love. It must be the foundation for True Parents by one true messiah representing true husband who welcomes one woman as his bride. Centered upon this unity, let us complete the formation of the new tribe and the new world.

We are called to discover what has been planned by You but was lost -- the ideal of the new world and the original universe. We know very well that this pioneering path by the Unification Church has been the course of historical sorrow.

Having known the historical will of God put forth by You which allows such true individuals to be united with other true individuals, and which also allows many tribes to be connected to true family, true tribe, true world, and true cosmos; and having received the seal of approval from Heavenly Father as new bride and groom who, as practitioners of love embracing your ideal have achieved the completion stage on the individual level and are now ready to fulfill the purpose of true family and acquire qualification to be subject figures practicing eternal love; having conquered the challenge of becoming unashamed practitioners of God's will; such are the youth of the world-wide Unification Church who have been fighting until today.

Heavenly Father, please bless these 5,837 couples gathered here today, the 14 of October, 1982. They are the ones whose philosophy is in line with Your ideal and their path of love extends directly from individual to family, tribe, nation, world and cosmos. Today, we are very happy that this group can witness the beginning of new families in front of You.

Also the youth here are from different nations and they are willing to march forward to do God's will from now on. Therefore, please bless the future of these youth, who will, in their respective tribes and nations, try to expand into the world level.

Please record them as husband and wife of goodness in Your eternal book of life and please allow them not to be afraid of any challenge or any persecution. Let them be the heavenly true husband and wife who possess wisdom, who march forward with only victory in mind with courage and pride.

Numerous saints and sages of the past, 40 billion ancestors who lived on this earth and the entire physical and spiritual world are here watching at this place. Please allow them the new beginning whereby God's love can explode throughout the world.

This is an historical moment of new beginning, expanding to the world centered on Korea. Please remember, therefore, this particular place. As true couples, they are set on their determination to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth and are ready to go on the pioneering path of extending eternal spiritual heaven and extending the world-wide level heavenly ideal family.

As the true couples who are worthy to receive Your love and blessing, and as True Father and Mother and also as leaders of tribes and the world, I sincerely ask that You let them be the leaders who fulfill Your expectations.

On this joyful day, I offer in front of You these 5,837 couples. Heavenly Father, please accept them. I wish that Your limitless love and glory be with them, and I pray all this in the name of True Parents.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

The World Media Conference -- Founder's Address

Sun Myung Moon
October 4, 1982
Seoul, Korea

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Excerpts of Father's speech at the opening of the World Media Conference in Seoul, Korea, October 4-11.

Honorable Chairman, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen. I am very pleased and deeply grateful that you have come to Korea to attend this Fifth World Media Conference.

The Media Conference brings together prominent communications professionals from all parts of the world to seek a greater understanding of the responsibility of the media in today's society. The scope of the conference is global, and the understanding which we seek is international. It is, therefore, particularly appropriate to hold this event in the nation of Korea, for it was here, 32 years ago, that 16 nations of the free world joined forces to turn back the unprovoked North Korean invasion of the South. This is certainly one of the noblest examples in history of unselfish international cooperation. The people of Korea will never forget the tremendous service which the United Nations rendered in the face of such a serious violation of international peace.

Korea As A World Prototype

It is also particularly appropriate for this gathering to take place in Korea, because it is here that the great cultures of the world are today coming together. Korea is unique among the Asian nations. Here the ancient culture and way of life has been preserved largely unchanged for five thousand years. The purest Oriental culture in the modern world is to be found here.

At the same time, many of the major religions of the world have come to Korea and have flourished here. Christianity, the spiritual core of Western culture, has taken deep root and is thriving in Korea. While Christian churches stand empty in many parts of the world, Korean Christian churches are alive with prayer and worship at all hours of the day and night.

Korean Christianity is the fruit of the Western tradition of spirituality and faith in God which has been passed down from the Hebrew prophets, through the Christian saints, and into the world of today. Across the 38th parallel of Korea, this Hebraic tradition confronts the external, Hellenistic tradition in its most extreme form.

A world which denies God is opposing a world which accepts God, and Korea is the place where these two worlds collide. The Korean War was the embodiment of the clash between these two worlds. It was not merely a local conflict: it was a global war involving the forces of world communism and the forces of the United Nations. The Korean peninsula is a microcosm of the world, and it could be said that the problems of the world are encapsulated in the Korean peninsula. This being the case, the solutions which are developed and successfully applied in Korea are not merely local solutions: they can become solutions for the world.

What type of solution is necessary? The struggle is a struggle of ideas, a struggle of belief, philosophy and ultimately, of ideology. If God exists, then atheism must be wrong; if there is no God, then materialism must be correct. Since two contradictory beliefs cannot both be true, then there must be a showdown in which truth will prevail.

We believe there is God. It is therefore our most important duty to make that God real in our lives, and make that God indisputable in our world. By doing so, we will bring the ultimate solution to atheism and materialism. For this task, the Unification Movement has been established. Korea is the logical place for this movement to have begun.

Transformed At Age 16

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the experiences which led me to establish the Unification Movement. When I was 16 years old and was living in the northern part of Korea, I began to have a series of extremely significant experiences.

It is difficult for me to describe these experiences to you in words. I can say that the spiritual world was opened to me, and I was able to freely communicate with the saints of that world. In the solitude of the mountains of northern Korea, I communicated many times with Jesus and God Himself. The truths which were revealed to me at the time now constitute the core of the Unification teaching.

Redirecting Social Trends

After having these experiences, I established the Unification Church, and from this the Unification Movement has come about. The Unification Movement will bring solutions to the most grave problems which face mankind today:

1. The Unification Movement will bring about a positive solution to the problems of atheism and materialism. To achieve this, a spiritual awakening must occur -- a spiritual awakening which will provide the necessary foundation for the solution to the physical problems of mankind.

2. The Unification Movement will bring about cooperation between the religions of the world and the unification of all religions into one God-accepting force. The original mind of man recognizes the common Creator and Father. Under this common Father, we can and must unite into one human family.

3. The Unification Movement will bring about a moral world. This is especially important for today's young people. In the absence of an absolute moral standard, immorality is becoming rampant. A greedy, self-centered way of life, in which others are seen as merely to be used for personal gain, is popularly approved and even encouraged. If this continues, it will certainly lead to the destruction of society.

Keeping The Media Busy

In bringing the unique message of Unificationism to the world, I realize that I have often been misunderstood by the media. If anyone could justifiably feel unkindly toward the media, it would certainly be me. I feel, however, that rather than being offended by the attacks of the media, I should be flattered that you have given me so much attention. Of course, I have consistently provided the press with a most valuable service -- I have given you a lot to write about. Keeping track of Reverend Moon, the media has never had time to get bored.

In fact, I have no ill will toward the media corps, for I have great faith that the tremendously good potential of the media will ultimately be fulfilled. Up until this time, I have not been properly understood. Ignorance invites misunderstanding, and misunderstanding invites distortion. The reason why I am speaking to you today is to improve the understanding between us. I don't avoid speaking to you -- because it is my duty to communicate the truth, no matter how impossible this task may seem to be.

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Why The Inchon Movie?

Most recently, there is a great deal of excitement regarding myself and the movie Inchon. The film cost almost $50 million to make and has a cast of famous Hollywood stars. Many people have been asking why Reverend Moon, being a religious leader, would be so interested in a Hollywood movie. I would like to give you my own personal explanation.

I had two reasons, and neither of them involved making money. The first was that I wanted to document the historical fact that it was the North which invaded the South in the Korean War. Over the past 30 years, there have been persistent efforts to distort this fact of history.

The second reason is that I wanted to pay tribute to General Douglas MacArthur. General MacArthur loved God and loved mankind, and he wanted to do battle for God and mankind. In 1950 the very existence of Korea and the Korean people was in jeopardy. General MacArthur was motivated by a deep desire to do God's will. Through remarkable faith in God, he planned and executed the Inchon landing, a masterpiece of military strategy -- and an impossible mission became a great victory.

There is also a very personal side to my involvement in the making of this film. When the Korean War broke out, I was being held in a prison camp in North Korea. I cannot begin to describe the horrible conditions of that camp. Most prisoners died within six months; but with the help of God, I endured the life in that camp for almost three years. Following the Inchon landing, as the United Nations' forces were fighting northward up the peninsula, guards began executing all the prisoners in the camp. Just hours before I was to be taken out and executed, I was liberated by the U.N. forces. Inchon is my way of saying "thank you" to General MacArthur.

The presence of Ambassador MacArthur, Chairman Rusher, and the others here at the head table, as well as all of you, gives me the highest hopes for this meeting. Please work hard these next few days, and when the conference is over, I want you to have a chance to relax as my guests. I would like to show you my country and have you feel, when it is time to leave, that what you want to do most is come back for another visit.

Thank you for coming, and may God bless you. 

The Harvest Season For God's Providence

Reverend Sun Myung Moon
September 19, 1982
Belvedere
Translator - Bo Hi Pak

The word "providence" is used in relation to several factors. Besides mankind, God, of course, is involved; and the planet earth is the place where the providence has unfolded. The earth represents the material world and mankind lives on top of that material foundation. God presides over all of mankind. Therefore, the three factors involved in the completion of the providence of God are earth, mankind and God, Himself.

These three do not bear fruit separately but come together to bear fruit. There must be a season for the harvesting of their combined fruits, as well.

When God began His creation of trees and plants, how many seeds do you think He created for each kind? Always God uses one perfect unit to initiate forms of His creation. He devised the pattern through which multiplication can occur: one seed multiplies and starts the infinite process of growth and multiplication.

One seed is not just a solid entity because inside of it there are several elements. The aspects of plus and minus interact within a seed and produce a plant. When you peel off the cover of any seed, there are two pieces inside and in one corner there is the small germ or embryo of the plant which is to grow. These three elements are covered by the skin of the seed. The universe can actually be summed up in the beautiful microcosm of one seed.

All of life exists like a seed; it has both plus and minus aspects, and also an embryo inside which is the origin of new life. The skin of the seed protects it from outside influences. By the same token, there is a protective "skin" around the universe and that skin is none other than love. The skin covers the seed tightly and prevents the two pieces of plus and minus from separating from each other.

In mankind, love brings plus and minus together, covering them up and creating harmony between them. When plus and minus come together within the protective skin of love, the embryo, which is the origin of life, can sprout. The universe itself interacts with the tiny plus and minus within the seed. It is natural and even necessary that men and women love each other because in that way we, too, reflect the law of the universe and its strength.

The earth has a north pole and a south pole and they exert a constant magnetic power or pull upon each other. Everything on the earth is pulled by that magnetic force. By the same token, everything in the universe is pulled by the magnetic force of love. When small pieces of metal are exposed to a magnet, they are pulled to it and stick there. Men and women are pulled together by the magnetic force of love; no matter how hard someone may try to resist that magnetic force, he cannot move outside of its influence. Everyone is pulled by it.

It is because of the give and take between the poles of plus and minus that a magnet has the power to attract metal. As men and women we are pulled toward the core or the origin of life. The embryo is that core or original place where life springs forth. The embryo is linked with the force of the entire universe so the gigantic plus and minus of the universe ultimately affects the tiniest embryo. When energy touches the embryo, life bursts forth.

A seed cannot create life all by itself. It must have a relationship with its surroundings. There must be fertile soil, moisture, and warm temperatures for that seed to grow. The soil is like a womb for the seed since it gives it birth. Within the seed, there is give and take between the plus and minus factors, out of which new life is born.

What is the meaning of the word "lonely," and why do we recognize that condition as undesirable? When you are all by yourself, without an object for give and take, you feel lonely. In a way that feeling is protection for you because it moves you to do something about it. If you never felt any pain from loneliness, you would be satisfied and complacent by yourself. Since it is painful to be lonely, however, you are driven to seek a partner with whom to share your life. In that way, loneliness is a protective feeling which pushes you to live parallel with universal law.

Universal law pushes a child to seek out his mother or father when he gets lonely; when people grow up, they naturally seek the opposite sex for companionship. This is the natural way for remedying loneliness. However, this world is not natural and the perversion of homosexuality exists. This is a destructive force which violates universal law. The simple proof of its destructiveness is clear when you consider what would happen if everyone in the world were to live as homosexuals for one century. All humanity would simply cease to exist! Homosexuality is a satanic force which is exactly opposite universal law. It brings destruction rather than creation.

The universe exists in continual give and take action, turning from the inner to the outer core of existence and back again. The power of the entire universe goes into the tiniest embryo and then the embryo sprouts and gives itself to the entire universe. This is the ultimate form of give and take.

Each individual is a tiny being compared with the size of the universe. However, each individual feels the need to link himself with the whole universe. Why do we have that need? There must be a reason for it. It is because the vast universe is truly linked with each tiny life. The universe relates itself with each embryo, each person's origin; then each embryo expands itself to the universe. The universe comes within you; you relate with the universe. Like a continually moving spiral from inside to outside.

Once each individual life expands itself to the universal level, the natural movement is to remain within that spiral motion, going back inside toward one's source.

Suppose the individual decides to take off on his own, toward a different direction? When such a thing happens, the ideal is destroyed. It is within the ideal that each individual must be able to unite himself with both the largest, universal things and the smallest, most particular things.

If an individual takes off in his own direction, he might say, "I just want to do anything I want to do. This is my universe and it exists for me to indulge myself to the utmost." The more such a person would move, the more destruction he would bring to the universe. If enough people followed his example, everything would be destroyed. The order and harmony of the whole world would be ruined by such a "freedom-loving" attitude.

When life expands outward it does not go in a random direction but must move parallel with the motion of the entire universe. That turning in and out motion is comparable to a coil through which electricity can flow unhindered. There need be no loss of energy or diminution of life. Our universe is not consuming itself but is always maintaining its own existence through the vitality of this give and take. It is like the waves of the ocean which come crashing to the shore; first they are high and strong, then they disappear into the water but the ocean itself is never diminished by the waves.

Did you know that the earth itself is constantly breathing? When it exhales it is about one foot smaller and when it inhales it is one foot larger. Every day it is breathing, even though you can't feel it. This is universal law.

Whenever there is movement it creates a certain shape or form, such as the triangle or rectangle. This form will not be destroyed unless the movement ceases. The force of give and take is always contained within the particular form it sprang from. Each individual carries within him the original pattern he inherited from his parents. It is obvious that everyone has a certain physical appearance which he received from his parents, but some people want to say, "No, I am a totally unique, self-sufficient being." However, he still came from two parents whose traits can always be found within him.

Everything within the universe comes under this law of origins; it is a very interesting thing to observe from the viewpoint of Principle.

Can you imagine that a bird would ever exist and sing all by itself? No, birds naturally live and sing together in harmony. Male and female naturally blend their voices in song. When deer run across a field, the male deer normally runs in front and the female follows immediately behind him. This is according to the pattern of harmony and is totally natural.

In any kind of literature, whether it is Korean, French, English, or whatever, much of its beauty is in the way the author uses adjectives, the words of description and comparison. "Dew-like morning," or "Dove-like eyes" are samples of the use of adjectives. The ability to use such descriptions comes from the universal law of parallel or comparable existences. If you simply say something is beautiful it is not nearly as clear or as meaningful as if you compare it with something else. "Beautiful like a flower," "Lovely as a rose," are phrases in which we take an example from the universe and compare it with the subject we are talking about.

According to universal law, everything in the universe is in motion for prosperity and multiplication, never for self-destruction. The ideal we are trying to achieve is that for every movement or motion we make. we receive a corresponding benefit. If we do 100 activities, we want to gain 100 benefits from them. Certainly we do not do things for the purpose of losing. This is a clear explanation of the meaning of "ideal", that everything we do ought to create goodness or benefit for someone or something.

What is the ideal of the universe? Certainly anything which carries the universe toward its infinite, eternal benefit is considered ideal. Is there any way that mining a lot of diamonds would be part of the ideal of the universe? Suppose you panned millions of dollars worth of gold from a river; would that be considered part of the universal ideal? Certainly people have pursued such things with great fervor. In the Western movies, gold is always the source of conflict between people!

Perhaps the ideal of the universe can be found within the acquisition of great power. Some people have left the Unification Church because they felt a desire for personal power; but is that truly pursuing the ideal? Would you sacrifice everything else for the sake of education and knowledge? Some people feel their lives are worthless unless they can go to Harvard, Yale, or some prestigious school.

What is the truly ideal action which always benefits the entire universe? It is the action of true love. What is true love and what distinguishes it from all the other types of love? True love is always welcomed by the universe- everywhere, anywhere.

Can you produce your love for me and show it to me on your palm? Can you see magnetic fields? You can prove scientifically that the north and south poles are pulling each other, but can you actually see the magnetism? True love exists in the realm of the invisible, as well. You know it exists; you can even prove it, but you cannot see it.

From the beginning point of true love, everything good can happen. From there the ideal world can begin. As we have said, the ideal of motion is for every activity to bring about a corresponding benefit. True love is the power by which to create that ideal of motion; wherever it exists. it always brings benefit and prosperity. Therefore the ideal world can be achieved by true love. It is only logical.

Why is true love so good? Everything begins from true love and is consummated in true love-it is the alpha and the omega of the universe. The motion of true love is unlimited; it can go anywhere within the universe. It can penetrate your whole being and be totally welcomed. You never want to reject true love; wherever it touches you. you respond with joy and openness.

Does the current American habit of husbands and wives maintaining their own separate savings accounts reflect an attitude of true love? Can you tell your spouse, "I love you, but don't ever touch my savings account!"?

Anything less than true love within the home is going to produce something less than the ideal, but most families do not understand the basic, true philosophy of true love. Some Americans protest to me, "Oh, you don't understand anything about America. We are a highly advanced and first-class culture. You have no right to talk about us!" However, by the rule of true love many things can be understood. Do you think true love affects the President of the United States? Is he immune to it because he is so great? Even God himself will never say, "I don't care about true love because I have omnipotence and I don't need it." The almighty God is completely vulnerable to true love. When He is approached with true love, He is helpless to resist.

Think about your life; why were you born and what are you here for ultimately? You are here for the fulfillment of true love. The ideal of existence is for every person to be glowing with the spark of true love twenty-four hours a day. As men and women, you are like the plus and minus of electricity which gives off a tremendous spark when a connection is made. Sparking brings light, heat and other phenomena. When two beings come together in true love, it is the most exciting element of our lives.

Men and women come together and "spark" with the power of true love, creating heat, light, and multiplication of energy. Then together they become a larger plus entity; as soon as a bigger minus comes along, they spark with that, always growing and multiplying energy. There is never the destruction of energy between plus and minus. That is the kind of life which Divine Principle is taking you towards.

In the Unification Church we always talk about plus and minus. We speak of the unity between mind and body to produce a "spark" of prosperity for the individual. Then a man and women must "spark" together to produce a family; the family spark becomes a society spark, which becomes a nation spark and so on, all the way up to the level of the universe.

Reverend Moon has brought this message to the world and because of it the world looks at him as a very controversial religious figure. Rather than feeling bad when people describe me as controversial, I welcome it very much! The strong controversy exists because I have brought a tremendously magnetic force field to this world. When people come close to that magnetic field, they are like small iron filings clinging to a magnet. It is the same when your parents try to pull your legs and drag you away from the Unification Church: you refuse to budge. Likewise when society exerts pressure on you. Thus many different explanations of this phenomenon have come up in society: "Brainwashing" for example.

When the teachings of the Unification Church hit you, the spark occurs and a new kind of ideal is born within your heart and mind. A new kind of personal prosperity becomes yours and no power can separate you from that.

In electricity when the plus and minus circuits come together, all impure and foreign elements are burned up in the heat of their union. All that remains is the genuine, pure conductivity of electricity. Likewise, that is what happens when you are contacted by true love and you spark with it. All foreign elements of sin will be burned up; you will be cleansed and become a truly sinless person.

Like a spiral you are involved in a never-ending motion; going in, going out, circling always within the universe and vibrating with the universe. True love never stands still but is always in that positive motion. This is the answer to the question, "What should I pursue in my life?" Now you know what is the true goal of your life.

What is the central force moving God's providence along? Certainly the central theme of the providence has been true love. With true love alone can God fulfill His own ideals and purpose. True love alone can harmonize everything, activate all things, unite and move everything in the universe. How wonderful that is! True love is so powerful and wonderful that once you have the hope of acquiring it for yourself nothing else really matters to you. The taste of true love gives you power and determination to pursue it further.

All machines on the earth will eventually wear out; even a brand new Cadillac will run for years but will eventually deteriorate. The human body is the same. If you over exert any part of your body it will eventually break down. The whole body is destined to die. Well, then, is God's creation destined to end in decline and destruction? If God is almighty and eternal, He must have created something which, the more it moves and exists, the more it grows and increases. There must be something which doesn't break down but always continues from greater to greater levels of prosperity. What is it that would enable a person to be anchored for thousands of years but never get bored, as long as he has it? You know the answer is true love.

"True love", two simple words which describe the pinnacle toward which all the pursuits of mankind have been striving. Throughout human history, all the great philosophers and sages sought to understand the ultimate truth of life but usually they tried to be too sophisticated in their approach and could not find it. Once a person has acquired the knowledge of true love, he doesn't need any other philosophy. The more movement a person of true love makes, the greater the benefit; he never declines. A person is anchored for eternity and can never get bored within the universe. You will never get tired of living in true love.

Once I observed a young couple on the beach; they were obviously deeply in love. They sat with their heads pressed together for the longest time. In fact, I was timing them to see how long they could sit like that. After thirty minutes they were still together, but I couldn't stay any longer because I had a plane to catch. Maybe they are still pressing their heads together even now! If that is just the imperfect standard of secular love and it is that strong, imagine how much more powerful true love is!

Love in America today has become very cheap, but if even the cheapest love can bring a man and woman together in bliss like that couple, what about the "most expensive" variety of love, true love? It can do so much more for men and women. You could sit with your heads together for hundreds of thousands of years and never get bored! If true love is capable of doing that for you, what else under the sun could you want?

The ideal we are describing is simple but very dramatic and romantic. True love is totally flexible; it fits the needs of every individual perfectly. None of the billions of people in the world will be dissatisfied with the presence of true love; each person will be fulfilled.

The purpose of the Unification Church is to train each of you and graduate you with a "license of true love." Regardless of where your license is printed, the important thing is who signs it. The Ph.D. candidate can never receive his degree until the professor in charge signs for him. You want to receive the signature of God and the True Parents on your true love license. Reverend Moon is like the professor in charge of the members of the Unification Church. The subject of learning is true love; I push you out into situations in society that will train you and season you as true love champions. You do not sit in classrooms but learn through activities. The purpose of all those activities is to enable me to sign your true love certificate.

As an ambitious candidate for your certificate of true love, how will you respond to my pushing you and giving you more and more burdens? Will you accept it willingly or will you complain against it" when the major leaders come to visit Mother and me at East Garden. they are always grateful to see us initially. However I always grind them down-keeping them up until 3:00 a.m., for instance for three or tour days in a row. Soon they are all worn out because their scale of thinking is different from mine.

True love can overcome anything, so nothing is more important than finding and dwelling in true love! I always sacrifice sleep for the sake of true love. Sometimes I can get up early and speak to members and at midnight I am still sitting in the same chair, having spoken all day. However, I never get bored with such activities because every minute of the day is exciting when true love is present.

I have the absolute conviction that anybody who lives his life in total intoxication from true love, forgetting everything else, must receive protection and support from the entire universe. My way of life is constantly evoking such give and take action with the universe. This is what the Unification Church is all about.

The essential truth of the universe is contained within one seed. Without the "skin" of love, nothing in the universe could survive but would be destroyed. Seeds germinate in the warmth of the springtime sun. The spring sunshine is a symbol of true love which gives life to everything.

Why have so many religions come and gone throughout history? It is because they have not been able to live up to the demands of true love. True love can never decline or be destroyed. Religions talk about true love but they have not been able to give a crystal clear understanding of what they are talking about; their understanding has been somewhat hazy and unclear and therefore they have been weakened.

You members of the Unification Church, do you need your marriage partner? Why do you say yes? Is it just for the sake of your own satisfaction? No, you know that you need your spouse for the fulfillment of true love. In an electrical circuit, do you ever see a positively charged wire rejecting a negatively charged one, saying, "That wire is ugly; I don't want to connect with it!" No, you will never see such a thing. Actually an "ugly" wire would probably be bent and twisted and would therefore have a greater area for the electricity to travel through, whereas a simple straight wire would be far less interesting. When you love your ugly spouse with true dedication, that is truly the best realization of true love. You will become a universal heat conductor, giving warmth and light to the entire universe.

According to natural law, whenever an object must overcome some tremendous obstacle, its path will be very smooth after that. Likewise, after tremendous joys it is normal that things will level out. This is the wavelike motion which is a part of natural law. It is natural for air to go from being very dense to sparse; it makes a wavelike motion, as well. When a boat is on the ocean, its motor must work very hard to move through rough waves, but then it is very easy to move over smooth seas. Married life is often like that-up and down, intense and smooth, dense and sparse. Those couples who come together in sweetness and lots of romance will experience difficulties in a later time of their marriage. However, if you have to overcome difficulties in the first part of your marriage, your later life together will be beautiful. Everything comes into balance.

Because I am aware of this secret of balance in the universe, I always push young members to take on difficulties and suffering during the first part of their church life, because they will be taken care of by the law of nature. When you get older you will automatically have a smoother, prosperous life. I am pushing you up a steep mountain, but it is definitely exciting.

While we are on earth, we want to cross the highest possible mountain; then we want to go down deep into the ocean. Out of all religions in history, membership in the Unification Church is the toughest. I deliberately make it a challenging and difficult course for you. There are other religions that are much easier to belong to. I have no awards to give to easy-going people, but I have great medals and prizes in store for those willing to go this path. The easy-going person should go somewhere else, because he simply won't make it within the Unification Church.

I am 62 years old now but I have the same mental capacity as a young person. You may think I am an old man but I do not feel old at all. Although some have endured worse physical suffering, no one endured more mental anguish than 1. Why do I always put myself in the position to receive such negativity, in Korea first, then Japan, now the U.S., as well as making myself a target for international communism? Why do I choose to live in such a way, since no one is forcing me? It is because I want to hit the peaks of human experience so that no one can ever compete with me. I want to set a record of going higher and down deeper into life than anyone else. Do you accept that I have set that record?

I have worked for ten years to establish Ocean Church. Do you like Ocean Church? I went to Provincetown and pushed the members to get up at 3:00 a.m. and go out onto the ocean. They hated it, although they didn't say anything; I know they simply do not understand such activity, or why I did it. We went out onto the ocean all day, then even after midnight we didn't come back. Nobody likes it when I lead the Ocean Church members. My family seems to suffer, the leaders don't like it, the members don't like it. So why do I still push you in that way?

My body is not made of iron. 1, too, get tired and fatigued, but I always think of the future of mankind. My actions are always for someone else's benefit, so because of that I can go on and on, beyond my physical limitations. I don't get tired or discouraged.

My favorite thing is true love. I am in love with true love and you yearn to be with me because you also long for true love. Since I embody true love you always want me to come and visit your homes and centers. You want to wear the clothing that I buy for you, not because you don't have clothes but because they represent true love.

Because of my relationship with true love, I am always with you wherever you are; we can always have give and take. I am only one person, but there is something different about me. The missionaries in Africa can feel a communion with me every day. They can see me through true love and there is no distance or boundary between those who share true love.

The motion of the universe is one circling motion, in and out, from the center of the spiral to the outside. Everything within the spiral is connected. Everywhere within the spiral of true love, God is omnipotent and omnipresent. God is not everywhere randomly, at whim, but only in the sense of true love. He has always wanted to dwell everywhere here on the earth, but He couldn't do that in reality because Satan and his power have dominion. God can only dwell directly in the places where true love prevails; in those places He is truly omnipresent and omnipotent.

God has total vision into the future where true love reigns; time and space present no limitations. Regardless of the vastness of spirit world, with true love you can connect yourself anywhere there with true love.

Is it good to be willing to die for the sake of true love? Jesus said, "He who seeks to lose his life for my sake will gain his life." Another way to say it is that those who are willing to die for the sake of true love will live in true love forever. Those who live for their selfish purposes will die permanently.

According to Principle, we must love our enemy with a heart of true love; without that it would be impossible. There is actually no room for the concept of "enemy" within the realm of true love. We can conclude that all beings in the universe relate with each other within the universal "glue" of true love. As I mentioned in the beginning of this sermon, God, mankind and all things of creation can come together under the power of true love.

According to Principle, the world is first in order of importance, then the nation, then the society, then the family, and finally the individual. Today however, the world embraces the exactly opposite way of thinking. Many people put themselves first in their lives, calling it "individualism" and do not care much at all about the world, their nation or their society.

Looked at from the overall point of view, individualism is totally wrong because it is self-centered. On the other hand, if a person is concerned about his own self perfection or completion, that is justifiable. Everyone has an innate desire to perfect himself. Thus, taking care of oneself is not totally evil from God's point of view. If the goal of an individual is to perfect himself or herself in order to form an ideal couple, the universe will accept that.

Most people do not understand how to direct their natural desires for self-fulfillment and instead create all kinds of chaotic ways of living. Each person is designed to become a perfected, God-centered individual; then he can find his partner and create a family. From the base of the family, both the vertical and the horizontal worlds come into being. Before you create your family, you are a plus or a minus being but you are without a true point of reference with the center. Once plus and minus join into one, you merge for the first time with that universal center. Therefore, we need to get married not for our own personal pleasure but more importantly to gain harmony with the universe. When you are joined with the universal plus and minus, you form around you a universal circle.

When a man and woman embrace in true love, each feels completely fulfilled; they have everything they want. They actually "own" the universe because they are relating with the entire universe. That is an experience which can never be bought with money. As a couple, you become a seed or representative of the universe and through your love you create an embryo. That embryo becomes your child, a new life which blossoms forth for the universe.

Have you ever wondered why God didn't create women with beards? Women represent the virgin earth, prior to Creation. Men are like the vegetation which God planted on the earth-plants, trees, flowers. The process of creation made a complete circle, coming at the end to the creation of women. Why were women created last? The alpha of creation was the virgin soil of the earth; the omega was the virgin "soil" of the woman. Therefore, you have no beards because you are like the earth, before seeds were planted and without vegetation. It all falls within a logical system and framework.

The skin of women is soft, smooth, and pliable, almost like clay. Clay is a basic material of the earth, out of which artists create sculpture and many useful materials are made. Men are like the bones, so when men and women come together, they make up one body. If both were like bones, that would not be complete, or if both were like clay it would be formless. People naturally seek their opposite-men like to receive the soft, tender touch of a woman and women like the feel of a masculine, hairy man. A man isn't attracted to a woman with a lot of coarse, rough hair on her face and body. This is because of the law of complementation; we are drawn toward those things in each other which we don't have.

In school, little girls usually learn how to draw and write earlier than boys; this is because girls have a natural sensitivity and gift of observation. They are also capable of imitating well. Boys, however, pick up a drawing pen and just make all kinds of strokes which don't look like anything else. They don't want to imitate anything but simply want to express themselves. Men and women have different proportions. When a woman sits down she has a natural cushion; she doesn't even need a chair! Men are more developed in the shoulder area. Man is like a triangle which is broad at the top; woman is a triangle which is broad at the bottom. The Western business suit for men is actually more parallel with the natural needs of a man; thus even in the Orient men are wearing Western type suits. Because of the proportions of a woman's body, it is usually easier for her to move and sit in a skirt; trousers are more restricting.

It is natural that a woman should take care of the home while the man should be going out into the world. It seems much more natural that a woman come to the door whenever you go to visit a home; when a big man comes and opens the door, it seems less inviting. Men are more easily capable of driving trucks, firing guns, using heavy machinery; women more naturally do well at detail-oriented tasks, such as typing, bookkeeping, sewing, etc. This is a reflection of the law of nature. Nature is a great teacher. The things of nature do not violate the law at all; if they did, they would quickly be extinguished.

Look at the birds; the male is larger and more dominant, while the female is smaller and follows the male. It is not always possible for the female to keep up with the pace of the male; therefore, she has a nest to stay in. Likewise with women; you need a comfortable home to stay in and take care of. When you go out and try to keep up with your husband's pace, you may have to take 15 steps to his 10; therefore you get more tired. It is natural for you to want to get back home where you can rest.

Sometimes I receive the criticism that I am "anti-woman" and "pro-man" but that is not true. I am simply pro-natural law. At this time, many women are trying to take over the societal positions and responsibilities of men; but you are not equipped to do that. You have your own strengths and virtues. Unless you can understand the reality of natural law, you can never understand or make sense of all the crazy things going on in today's world.

Let us return to the topic of the seed. According to Divine Principle, having children is the natural and desirable result of the love of husband and wife. If you have felt that you did not want to have children, this sermon will teach you why it is so valuable that you do so. Without a child, you and your spouse cannot enjoy the heavenly four position foundation; you remain as a triangle, without a vertical line from God to that fourth position.

The Oriental viewpoint is that parents should live for their children; the children are all-important in the family. The Western viewpoint emphasizes men and women just living for each other. Therefore, the Oriental way is more vertical, the Western more horizontal The vertical way is safer and more stable. There must be an axis for any circular motion; a spinning top always turns on its axis. Therefore, the motion of the universe is determined by its vertical, central axis and everything in the universe turns around that axis.

The give and take of men and women originated from the universal give and take of plus and minus. Spiritual values, things of truthfulness and beauty, are at the center of the universe. We naturally pursue experiences of goodness and beauty in a big way because the center of the universe is one of bigness, goodness and beauty.

Whenever there is a turning action, the result is the appearance of a circle. Even when a triangular shape turns around and around, it appears as a whirling circular object.

Children are the result of the combined effort of a man, a woman, and God. Why do we need God in the relationship? It is because we want to create a rectangular, four-position foundation. You need God, the children, and the relationship between man and woman to produce the ideal. As man and woman come closer, God, too, comes closer. When you unite in love, God is involved too; likewise, the child you create is involved in that action. Therefore, all four positions are brought into unity through the act of love.

God is big, good and beautiful; by the same token, you see your husband or wife to be big, good and beautiful in your life. You look at each other as the image of God. Your children, likewise, reflect that same nature which is big, good and beautiful.

What power can create bigness, goodness and beauty? The power of true love alone. Therefore, the heavenly four-position foundation is the focal point of the teachings of the Unification Church. Within the four-positions, every subject and object has three directions in which to relate. This motion creates the rectangular shape.

Why should you love your children more than even your spouse? Even in the secular world, the importance of the vertical relationship between parents and children is very apparent. In American society, you see that divorcing couples often struggle over custody of the children. Why do people never want to divorce their children? It is simply because the child is in that object position to God; God and the child dwell in that vertical line of relationship and there is only one vertical line. It is possible to make all kinds and levels of horizontal relationships, but there is always only one vertical line of relationship. In a way, by holding on to your child, you are holding on to God.

Within the Unification Church, you always put your relationship with God first, then your children, and finally your spouse. We can conclude that the Oriental philosophy toward the family is closer to the Heavenly standard than the Western way. This is not because I am an Oriental person; I am only interested in teaching Heavenly tradition.

For the embryo within the seed to blossom forth, it needs the warmth of the sun. By the same token, in order for a true and valuable human life to blossom it needs the warmth of love coming from God. During the teenage years, a young person is very sensitive and poetic and romantic. Life is very exciting to him. Often the mind of the teenager is full of fantasy; and as soon as the energy of love touches him, he immediately responds and is ready to act on it. The teen years are the time of preparation for the response to love.

One individual represents the entire universal force. Men and women bring down the power of heavenly love between them. They feel that, instead of two units, they were meant to be one unit, one entity. Through their love, germination of the embryo occurs. The action of physical love is an expression of harmony between the two different plus and minus physical human shapes.

I want you to understand that love is not yours; it belongs to God. Love is truly God's property. When you are in love with your husband or wife, don't ever think that it is just between the two of you. When you embrace each other, also remember that you are embracing God and you are sharing God's love. Men and women started out from the same origin, God, divided into their separate existences, and then, through the expression of their love they are brought together into the center with God. Each wants to swap positions freely with each other; a man wants to be able to take the position of the woman and vice-versa. They want to share everything.

Love between husband and wife thrusts them in two directions: toward the center, or unity with each other, and toward the future-to the ideal and hope of future goals. God is in the same position-His love moves in two directions-toward mankind and toward the future realization of His goals.

The child in the womb lives with the constant heartbeat of its mother. His life throbs with the love of God, with the heartbeat of his mother, and gradually his own little heart begins to beat. It is the parents who are closest to true love who will produce a child of the greatest goodness and beauty.

God's providence has been moving toward this day of completion, the time of fulfillment of true love within the family. It is a mandate from God that men and women come together as husband and wife to bring forth children who will take dominion over all creation with greatness, goodness and beauty.

To summarize, the act of love between husband and wife should not be conducted with a selfish attitude. It is actually the most public action which is for the sake of the universe, mankind and God!

As parents, you must have purity of heart and a sense of gratitude toward God. It is not so valuable to have great ambition and say to God, "I want to have a wonderful child who can become a powerful person and take dominion over all creation." What you need is simply purity of heart and through the sanctity of your love, your child will reflect the highest ambitions of anyone.

The fruit of the providence is certainly the fruit of true love. Who shall harvest that fruit? The husband and wife together. Once you make the harvest, you store it in Heaven's storehouse.

A child is a representative of God and his parents. He can see the manifestation of true love in his parents and he can know that he is the fruit of their true love. The mother is like the railroad tracks, the father is like the railroad car and the children are like the cargo riding inside. All they have to do is just move toward the goal. This means that the parents must be the example of true love for the children. When that is the case, you don't even have to say "I love you"-your every day actions are the living manifestation of your true love. Your children will be totally devoted to you and will never want to abandon you; even if they go away, they will have to come back.

It is human destiny to search for true love. Even after the fall of man, the traces of true love still remain so everyone is seeking for it. Mankind has always tried to find that original source of true love. In form, everything for the ideal world already exists; our task in building the ideal world is to make everything true-true parents, true children, true couples, true ideal. This is the most significant aspect of our movement.

The true, ideal world means the world of true love. When that is accomplished, everything will be fulfilled. Everything will be okay. That is the goal of the harvest of the providence-for everything to be okay. We are looking forward to the harvest of that seed of true love; we are working every day to create that true love seed.

In the electronics field, such companies as Sony can say "everything is okay" when it comes to their products. No matter how sophisticated the equipment that breaks, the Sony Co. could take care of it. By the same token, we want to have a spiritual "Sony Co." that can take care of everything spiritual-don't you want to be a member of that kind of church? Such a church would be a true love church, a church of ideal love.

The church of true, ideal love is one in which God is totally satisfied and vulnerable to being moved by His children. In such a church, God is everywhere-in the bathroom, in the kitchen, etc. Body odors would not offend God. In true love, everything is okay.

You are consummating your family life now. The most important question you must face at this time is what kind of harvest are you going to make? What kind of child do you want to bring to this world? When your mental, spiritual or physical condition is not prepared, how can you pursue your spouse? You have no right to do so. If your spiritual or physical situation is not proper at the time of your child's conception, you will have much regret after he is born. That child will be the reminder of your situation over and over again. You do not want to bear that kind of pain. You don't want to be in the position to be constantly reminded of how poorly you treated your husband or wife; your child will exhibit signs of that and remind you constantly.

Are you ready to pray, "God, I am ready to bear a true child for this world"? Actually, nobody can pray such a prayer because nobody is truly ready or worthy. The alternative is to pray, "I am not worthy, so I am throwing myself into my mission. I will work hard and take on persecution and suffering, but I will do it with a truly grateful heart and never quit." That is one way in which you can move God.

When husband and wife work hard in your Home Church area, bearing rejection after rejection but never cursing the people, you can pray together in tears for the sake of the people. God will look at such a couple and think, "They deserve a true child-so I am going to bless them." He will tell them, "My son and daughter, don't worry, I will give you a child who will vindicate you and take his proper dominion over all things. He will be the source of your glory."

God is looking for suffering people who have such noble hearts-it doesn't matter in which country, whether it is large or small-He wants to see people who truly represent the suffering heart of the parents to this world. Korea is one nation in that position; it has suffered much tribulation, yet it clings to its hope and faith in God. Within that nation, God called on me to represent His heart to this world. Actually, if anyone could curse the Korean people it would be me because they have given me a harder time than anyone else. However, I am not in such a position to curse Korea. In America, likewise, I have been misrepresented and mistreated but I am still reaching out m compassion toward this country.

I knew that God would bless me with better and better children further and further down the line and that is what has happened. Those children who were born in this country were bestowed with superior blessings. Each child has been greater and greater in their devotion and filial piety.

You should be pulling your beloved's hands, not into the bedroom but along the road of tribulation for the sake of God. God called Abraham and told him to leave his country immediately. Do you think Abraham went gently to his wife and allowed her to get lots of sleep before he obeyed God's command? No, he must have shaken her awake and pulled her out of bed to follow him. If she asked "Where are we going?" he would have answered, "Don't ask. Just follow me." Abraham didn't even know where they were going.

You women should look at your husbands as if they were in Abraham's position. Don't demand an explanation from him when he pushes you to get up and out of bed; just trust and follow him. Usually when someone is trying to explain all the details about the providential path, the providence has already gone on ahead without him! Your husband might tell you, "Don't ask questions, just follow me. Beyond that horizon, wonderful things are waiting." You should follow him without having any idea what kinds of things are waiting.

Perhaps when you and your husband get on the other side of that mountain where wonderful things were supposed to be waiting, there will be a howling wolf instead. Then your husband might say, "Don't worry, we must cross over another mountain and then we will come to Canaan, that wonderful land." Even if the wife is not so cooperative, the husband must somehow persuade her to go with him over all the mountains. Do you men understand? That is your job. Actually, in some cases the husband is the one who is confused and not sure of what to do or where to go.

Sometimes you have to give an ultimatum and tell your spouse, "All right. You can stay here, but I'm going ahead." Do you rascal men hear me correctly this morning? So many men feel they have to discuss their missions and mandates from God with their wives first before doing them. But you must feel, "I must talk with God alone; let my wife follow me."

You know that I have taught you American women many things. You love and trust me, is that correct? From now on you must truly be different from all secular American women. Think of it: if I had been the sort of man who always cleared things with my wife before acting on them, there would not be any Unification Church today! I am speaking now of my first marriage. That woman was very brilliant and capable. She told me, "All you need to do is just love and pay attention to me and our child; I will make you happy. Just stay here; why do you have to go to North Korea, anyway? You have no guarantee that you will survive there!" However, I did not listen to her; I only discussed with God and obeyed God's commands. Even more than Abraham, I left everything behind and went directly to North Korea as soon as God directed me. I didn't even go to visit my own home town there in North Korea-that is not why God sent me. I went to North Korea in order to do exactly what God commanded me.

When I came to the United States, there was opposition, too. People said to me, "Father, you have success now here in Korea. Why must you go to another strange country and suffer there?" At that time, I left Mother behind and brought only those missionaries who could translate for me. So again I left my wife and children behind and took off for a foreign land. My immediate family felt unhappy, but I didn't pay much attention. Mother felt that she would like to accompany me everywhere I went, but I had to leave her behind. I was coming to a place similar to a spiritual "combat zone." I had to go to all fifty states setting up the holy grounds in forty days' time.

In that way, I was able to demonstrate my love for this country. I wanted to be able to say, "I love this country more than anyone else, even any American." In the process of giving true love to this country and its people, I incurred persecution on the worldwide level. Although I received so much opposition and hostility, still I loved this nation with a father's love. Therefore, no one can compete with such love.

At this time people are wondering why Reverend Moon is spending so much time and energy trying to promote the memory and image of General MacArthur, especially through the movie Inchon. Julius Caesar was the emperor under whose rule the messiah, Jesus Christ, was crucified. MacArthur has been nicknamed the "American Caesar;" but he was like a heavenly Caesar. The kind of character which Caesar embodied was authoritarian, not democratic. Caesar, in the position of emperor, should have been able to love his people and his public mission; of course, he could not do that. Caesar did not love God, first of all.

On the contrary, MacArthur showed his trust in God through the Inchon landing. Without trust and faith in God, it would not have been possible. There is much more that could be said about this, but I want to wait until some future time.

At this time in history, Reverend Moon has promoted the memory of MacArthur, thereby stirring up people throughout this country. I want to see the image and spirit of MacArthur welcomed here. When that happens, I myself will receive a kind of liberation because Reverend Moon's position is parallel to that of MacArthur. When this movie is released all over the country, America's perception of Reverend Moon will become different. When people see that .'Moonie movie" and gain inspiration from it, they will have to change their minds about Reverend Moon. When General MacArthur and Reverend Moon become one, it is symbolic of America and Korea becoming one. It's almost like achieving the impossible unity between Jesus and Julius Caesar-such a thing is almost unthinkable, but if such a thing had occurred, human history would have been different.

This is the time of the revival and resurrection of General MacArthur. That great soldier of America was actually rejected and fired; but now Reverend Moon has come and led the revival of MacArthur's spirit. In modern history, the only person who achieved the status of a true hero was General MacArthur. Some people name Winston Churchill as a true hero, but he was limited to the European area, not the world level. However, the Korean War was a worldwide conflict between the United Nations and the combined forces of the communist nations.

Julius Caesar controlled the entire civilized world during his time. If MacArthur could have gained unity with Truman, he could have created a different kind of "Roman Empire" of modern times. If he had been allowed to advance beyond the Yalu River and liberate all of Korea, Manchuria, and even China, he could have destroyed communism in Asia. Certainly he could have become president of the US on that foundation. Undoubtedly, the history of this country would have been very different.

Therefore, America must restore the memory and the spirit of MacArthur. When his spirit prevails here, this country can re-discover a true dream, an ideal. Where can a true ideal be found at this time? Nowhere else but in the Unification Church. If General MacArthur had heard and understood the ideology of Unification Church, what do you think would have happened? Don't you think one world under God could be possible?

I want to bring General MacArthur to the attention of American young people. If they see Inchon and read the program, they will be inspired to think, "I want to be like General MacArthur." Three characteristics of MacArthur are very distinct through the film: he was a man who loved God, loved humanity, and hated communism.

There is a part of the movie program which states that a national movement to promote General MacArthur's anti-communism needs to arise here. MGM, the distributors of the film, protested strongly saying, we won't be a propagandistic company." There was much discussion back and forth, and finally we said, "If you don't accept it, we won't allow you to distribute the movie." They surrendered at that point.

Inchon is a movie that will ignite a new fervor in the hearts of American youth. All together, approximately $60 million was spent on this project. This was not done for the sake of making money. If even 100 young people become inspired and strive to emulate the spirit of General MacArthur the money will be very well spent.

The words I have spoken will not vanish throughout history. I want to register for history these remarks at Belvedere about McArthur long after I am dead, this movement will continue and prosper; it will become the leading force for the world. There shall be a museum in which all the words I have spoken and written will be preserved for people of the future to see. The day will come when the name and spirit of Reverend Moon will be justified and glorified. At that time, those who persecuted me will be regarded by mankind as traitors. Therefore, I am not perturbed by having to go to court or by any other experience. I am considering the future; for the sake of 100 years from now, I can never be a coward or try to beg for mercy from unjust accusers. I have not done anything wrong and history will prove it.

This is why I have been carrying on many different activities at the same time as this court battle has been going on. This year we began the Minority Alliance International for the sake of Black, Oriental and other ethnic groups. Then we carried out the Conference on God, an idea which was impossible for most people to even think about. We had the Youth Crusade for God, with people from different religions coming together. Then The Washington Times was created. The Professors World Peace Academy was greatly expanded. Then, on July 1, there was the blessing here in America; soon another blessing will be held in Korea. On September 17, Inchon was released. All these things have been done within one year.

Those people who are neutral about Reverend Moon and the Unification movement will soon be swayed toward positivity. Do you think the Unification Movement is going up or down in this country now? Certainly, it is going up. Do you think Inchon will lead America toward further corruption or toward her resurrection? I love and forgive America and I am demonstrating that through the Inchon film and everything else. As long as you Americans are strong and faithful to the ideal, this nation will have hope; you are the only hope of this country. You cannot falter; you must go out and teach this nation the truth and bring it resurrection.

Religion is not for the purpose of destruction; it is for the purpose of living and salvation. I have come here as a foreigner and have given this much; you as native Americans should do one hundred times more. I want to push you harder so that you can achieve your potential for this country; you can be doing far more. Do you welcome my pushing you? You have got to educate this country out of its ignorance.

My role is not just to teach Americans; America's role is to teach the world. Therefore, I am doing all this here so that you, in turn, can teach the rest of the world. I know that if you cannot do the job, God will mobilize other forces. There are many professors who appreciate what I am doing and they can be the ones to teach the truth in their own classrooms. If that happens, you will be in a shameful position because you will have failed your mission. I don't want you to be in that position and therefore I am pushing you hard at this time, seemingly ruthlessly. I want you to fulfill your mission. If you can accomplish just one kind of record-even if you can only say you suffered the most-that is at least something you have done at this historic time.

Every year at the Science Conference, the chairmen want to meet with me, but I have not yet granted them that request. Those people admire me and respect me, while many average people look at me with tremendous disrespect. What is your position? You call me Father so in order to be in that kind of position, you must be a defender of the family, standing up against opposition and fighting the negativity. Otherwise, you are not truly in the position to call me Father. If you feel that you cannot go beyond certain limitations because of your own reputation and your own job, can that be enough?

In America, Reverend Moon is in the position of "No man." Your job is to make him a "known man," to educate the public about him. You American women, will you listen well to your husbands? You fierce American guys, do you want to lead your wives well? You must maintain your subjective position, even in love. You must have your own dignity. You women must help your husbands maintain their dignity; if your husband comes to you with a whining, self-pitying attitude, you should kick him!

Your love relationships now must set the tradition for the future; they must not contain anything dishonorable. The tradition you set now will be the model for the world in the future; if your standard is crooked now, people in the future will have a crooked model to follow. That tradition has been walked by God, True Parents, and now it is your turn. Millions of people will have to follow that standard; that is why I do not want to compromise it in any way. It must be a dignified tradition.

Husband and wife, you must have a disciplined life not a loose one. Your sexual relationships have an impact upon the universe itself. You must bear beautiful, healthy fruit through that; otherwise, you are offending the universe.

I would like to see flowers of hope, the ideal, and future prosperity blooming through your children. Our love exists on an entirely different level than the kind of love which people get from prostitutes. When you approach your spouse, you should do it in the name of God, True Parents and humanity; you must maintain your dignity at that time. Are you confident that you can do that? Although you may have been in the church for 3 or 7 or 10 years, that can't be enough to wipe out the memories of the past if your life was open and undisciplined before you joined. You must become totally new men and women, eliminating all traces of the past; otherwise you are not worthy of loving each other.

We are raising a serious question here: how can we create an ideal couple? Let us harvest the most beautiful seed in the form of our children, as the fruit of God's providence. You must pledge to God that you will love your children; nothing else can matter. Your education, your money, and all those secular worries cannot be important. First things must come first and you must establish the tradition of true love.

When you women come here to Belvedere, you are always very quiet and obedient before me. As soon as you get out of here, however, do you revert back to being typical American women? I want you to understand that God knows exactly what you need. God knows me completely, and He is still pushing me out further and further.

Satan is always trying to exploit your weaknesses, but you must be strong and have no weaknesses for him to exploit. The ideal of the Unification Church is the greatest one, but if you fail to practice it, it will bring the greatest tragedy to you. You want to enjoy the sweetest part of the ideal first, but I push you to taste the worst suffering first. Once you overcome those difficulties, you will be completely separated from accusation from Satan. In that position, God will give you the three blessings.

Do you feel regret for having given so much effort and time doing your work for God? At this time, you must continue to work hard and suffer together with your spouse and family and you will become the subjects of the Completed Testament Acts of the Apostles of God's Kingdom. Even though you may work so hard you feel completely exhausted and cannot go on, you will not be finished. You will receive the true, unending admiration of all the people of the future, year after year.

That is why Mother and I have lived with the same spirit, year after year. Mother has given birth to so many children and her body is not the same as it was; she endures incredible suffering. However, I still push her to go together with me everywhere. Do you object to that or do you approve of it`? You approve? Does that mean you want Mother to suffer more ? No, but you understand the Principle and you know the reasons why I must push her. 1, myself, am over 60 years of age and I don't really have to work as hard as I do, but that is not the way I want to live my life. I cannot sit complacently in a reclining chair for even one day.

God is telling me that I should take it easy now, since the age of the children has arrived; I could just offer guidance and not work so hard. However. I will not live that way. Do you think God will say, "You have broken the law: I asked you to rest and you did not rest, so I am going to punish you'"? No, there is no such law in God's kingdom. Even though God may be telling me strongly in front of all the angels in spirit world that I should take it easy. inside of Him He is filled with pride. He is thinking. "Reverend Moon is really my champion. I am so proud of him."

Now I am treating you the same way. When I send you out on some mission, you respond quickly with, "Yes, I will do it!" and you set out with enthusiasm to do it. Then you should complete it and come back to me asking, "Okay, I did it. What's next?" However, I have never yet seen one member or one leader come to me with that spirit and say, "My mission is accomplished; what's next. Father?" Furthermore, usually your attitude is a quivering, fearful "What's next?" Where do you stand? Are you always afraid of what I am coming up with next?

Unless you Americans restore that kind of aggressive, pioneering spirit, this country will decline and some other forces will be able to take over this country. Look at the lesson of Japan: that tiny little nation is the number one competitor to the United States. Thirty years ago, Japan would never have been regarded as capable of such a thing. The great U.S. corporations thought they were untouchable in the world market, but now Japan is ahead in many markets, such as automobiles, electronics, etc.

I would like to hear you black people asking me what's next, because it is your time to rise up. I must tell you that what is next is that you must go out and give more, suffer more for the sake of God and humanity. What is next? The real Moonies are what's next on the horizon. More than anybody else, the Moonies are the people who are ready to suffer and give ourselves for the sake of God and humanity. According to this criteria, no one can compete with us. That will be our pride. We have a definite path in this life, like a certain railroad line. You may not have a first-class cabin or seat, but you must somehow stay on that train, even if you are just hanging on.

I am running swiftly and every corner of the world is emitting protests, like barking dogs. Controversies are swirling around me and my activities. This is truly a sign that I am not standing still but am moving swiftly- running along the path. Some people have depicted me in the ugliest possible ways. It is like the graffiti vandals who have painted the outside of the New York subway cars. But once you get inside my "railroad car" you see that it is beautiful, golden and clean-it is a royal car. Precious stones and glittering walls are on the inside.

When passengers enter that car, they can feel the regal elegance and totally enjoy being there. However when those passengers, namely the Unification Church members, look outside the windows they see all the swirling protests and controversies. They can become so confused that they even try to run out of that car while it is moving. If someone does that on a real railroad car, it is surely fatal. Likewise, if you pay attention to the secular world and get affected by it, you will be a victim of the secular world. When you come to Belvedere, you should not be thinking. "When I was living in the 'outside world' I slept till ten o'clock every Sunday. Why should I get up now at 4 in the morning?" You should not compare your life now with the past.

Even women are going to Ocean Church now and are being made boat captains. Are you women wondering, "How can I possibly do such a thing?" and comparing your past life with this? On the contrary, you should go out to the seashore and wait for my boat and tell me, "Father, I want to be the first captain!" That is the winning spirit.

At the leaders' conference last week, I integrated all the fifty state centers with Ocean Church. Everybody in the church will be giving at least two weeks a year to Ocean Church. If you are a very fat person, you may tip the boat over-but still you have to go to the ocean for two weeks! Perhaps I will send all the husbands to Alaska in the winter time and the wives to Alabama in the summer time. How would you like that? You must be able to bring salvation to people in every climate-hot, cold, northern and southern.

When the parents work with such a spirit, the children will automatically follow. Do you want your children to be universal, world citizens? Or do you want them to be small-minded? You must train yourself first.

What, then, is-the harvest of God's providence? The children of your families are that harvest, that fruit. Can you do it properly? We will see the result. I asked all the blessed couples to send their children to Korea for their schooling, but one mother in England protested, "Father, Korea is not our culture. Our children cannot survive there." I directed them to send their child, anyway. but they soon took the child away. Is that right or wrong? I am sure that among you there is the same kind of thinking and that is why I am announcing this now. You need the right kind of training.

Suppose I asked a white couple to trade places with a black couple. Suppose I asked them to go and take care of each other's children with true love? We need that kind of capacity to change and become parents to other people's children. Suppose I asked all American men to swap missions with German men. If you say no, you are distancing yourself from the ideal of Heaven and you cannot inherit the Heavenly tradition. Suppose I asked all Tarrytown members to stand up and trade places with African members, taking their missions.

Are you thinking, "Finally the blessing came and we can be husband and wife and take a honeymoon!"? Any honeymoon without God's tradition will produce great problems. I would like to see that you are in the position to inherit God's tradition. This kind of tradition has to be lived by the Moonies first, not the secular world first. Would you say that even Moonies cannot live it? Or would you say, "Yes, we can welcome such a tradition"? If you can do that, it means that you can inherit the world and take true dominion over the world. Those who are rejecting and shying away from the Heavenly tradition are actually digging your own graves, because the world and universe will move away from you in the future.

It's a great world and we have great hope for the future, but it is not easy to live properly. Husband and wife and family are important, of course, but the Unification Church cannot truly settle down yet. Certainly Reverend Moon has not settled down yet. Nothing of what I have established here in America has been for the sake of my own future-not even for the sake of the Unification Church. If God commanded me to, I would leave here without even telling you good-bye this afternoon. You might think, "How can you be so impersonal and cruel, Father?" But it is not cruelty to obey the providence of God without hesitation.

I want you to understand that you are the pioneers of the tradition of the future. You are making the mold for others to fit into. I want you to prepare your home and clan for every eventuality. Those of you living close with me feel more to the bone this tradition. You must be ready to learn and take over the tradition.

Almost everybody who was important in God's providence had to leave his own hometown. Jacob had to go away and you, too, must go into enemy territory at one time or another. The best way would be to marry with a person who represents your enemy. Those who marry interracially, especially white and black, are accomplishing this and bringing together two extremes.

I want to instruct you new wives how important it is that you breast feed your babies for at least the first 100 days; they need to receive their mother's milk. During that time when you are feeding your baby, you should be thinking, "My beautiful child, you are the child of God. When you were in my womb, I may not have given you everything perfectly, but now I want to give you everything-my love, my very body to nourish you." You should feel like asking that child for forgiveness, "When you were in the womb, I fought with your father and I had many unhappy moments. I complained against God's providence and being pushed too hard; I complained that the church wasn't taking care of me properly. I repent very much, so as the representative of God, please forgive me. As you grow, I will try my absolute best to be a Heavenly mother." You should pray, "God, please accept this child as Yours and bring him up as a great champion for Your Kingdom."

The heart-to-heart relationship between the child and the mother can be best formed through breast feeding. Since it was the mother who denied God first in the Garden of Eden, it is the mother who can restore the home and family. First you should repent to your child and tell him,

"As much as I love you, I will love your father, as well." Your child is the fruit of your blessing. When your husband must travel all around the world, busy with God's providence, he will come home and he will discover that his wife is becoming more and more beautiful, both inside and out.

Husband and wife should have heart-to-heart talks and confess your shortcomings to each other. The wife might tell her husband, "I complained about this and that, but can you forgive me?" The husband will say, "Of course. When I hear you confessing to me, I am moved to confess my sins, too. I was very mean and unkind to you and I am very sorry. I have not been so good, but can you forgive me?" Your child will be like a representative of God in your midst, bringing husband and wife together. You will see that once your baby is born, repentance and confession will come much more easily and quickly to you.

You must pray together, holding your child between you. Do your five o'clock Pledge service together, with your child. That will be your hour to have communion with God and True Parents and that should be how you approach it. How beautiful that will be!

Our children are the only hope of the future; they are going to be the stars of the Kingdom of Heaven. Those of you who pledge to bring to this world such exemplary children, please raise your hands. Thank you. From now on, I will look forward to your accomplishing this goal.

New Family Given By God

Sun Myung Moon
September 5, 1982
Belvedere
Translator - Bo Hi Pak

Those who received the Blessing on July 1, please raise your hands. Each person was born as a descendant of the fall. You have an awareness of fallen nature and of being part of a fallen generation, but other people don't usually have that concept. The secular world only knows that they are born from their parents to live their one life here on earth. What is wrong with living without any sense of being part of history? The problem with that point of view is that it doesn't prepare one to meet the final terminal of life, which is death.

No one wants to face death, yet it is inevitable. Death is ordained by universal law. In this universe there is someone who enacted universal law, so death comes under that Creator's realm. How shall we live correctly and wisely in order to avoid the tragedy of final death? We are limited people and cannot forecast even one day in advance. How, then, could we know the day of death in advance and prepare for it? We cannot. We have to rely instead on some truth and principle to guide us and prepare us to meet death properly.

If there is a God in this universe, His goal for mankind cannot be simply death. Neither do men want to meet a catastrophic end. If there is a way of eternal life instead of death, the Creator must want to lead us to that path. God will guide us with a firm hand and we should follow His direction. Both God, the leader, and mankind, the followers, should seek to solve the problem as quickly as possible, not drag everything out until the final day. If everyone desires a quick solution, we can live with confidence and find a solution. Human beings need strong, organized leadership from God, who knows how to get to that ultimate goal. He knows all the threats and obstacles to it.

Of course, everyone would like to be traveling on a super highway where all the signs are clear and the way is obvious. But that is not the situation. In the Bible we read that the gate to life is narrow and difficult to pass through, while the gate to destruction and despair is wide and easy to enter. This is true because of the fall of man. For that reason, God initiated the work of religion. God has given us religion as a manual or guide to lead mankind in a certain direction in order to reach the gate of life instead of death.

So far, the religious goal has centered on individual salvation, but then where is family salvation? A good answer would be that family salvation begins after individual salvation. Then what about the tribe or clan salvation? That will begin after family salvation. What about the race or nation? That level will be saved after completion of the tribe's salvation. What about world salvation, as well as salvation of the entire spirit world, including hell? That will begin after all the other levels are completed.

When can God feel the fulfillment of His joy? God will declare His joy after He finishes cosmic salvation. What, then, is the relationship between God and mankind? Do you feel to the bone that it is one of Father and child? Is it really your Father, God, who is in heaven? As the child of God, do you know what your Father is doing right now, how much agony and grief He feels looking at the world, and what effort He is making to bring salvation to mankind?

Why did religion come into being? Religion is the instrument or the means by which we can reach the maim of God and participate in His joy. In that realm we can receive liberation from death. Who governs the realm of death? Satan is indeed the master of death, governing its darkness and dungeons.

What is the difference between those who belong to the satanic empire of death and those who belong to life? The people are different in those two empires. How are the worlds of life and death different? What is the difference between America and Great Britain? Britain has a queen, for one thing. But the people of both countries speak the same language, and British faces are similar to Americans. What is the real difference?

There is an invisible sign on the foreheads of the British which says, "I am British." There is a national spirit that only the British have, shaping the way they think and act. Those who are citizens of Great Britain are concerned about the benefit of their own country. They may find some very beautiful item in an American museum, and their first reaction is to wish it were in a British museum. When a British citizen discovers wonderful things in the world, they would like them to glorify their own country, their homeland. Isn't that true?

When an American sees something precious and valuable, where would he want to bring it? He would want to take it to his hometown. People always long for their roots. Where does this trait come from? No one is taught such things in school. Each individual has the innate desire to relate the good things in the world with himself and his home.

Perhaps someone is wild about gold and goes around the world collecting pieces and nuggets of gold. Is there some limitation to how much he will want? Will he ever think he has enough, or will he always want more and more? Does human greed have any limit? What would you do if you gathered a mountain of precious stones? You would go crazy trying to keep thieves away! After something precious like that, your worries and agonies would become immense. Even with your life you could not successfully defend your mountain. There are many thieves with weapons stronger than anything you might have.

There is no satisfying human greed. Even in the midst of dreadful paranoia, a person might go on trying to amass more possessions, whether gold or jewels or whatever. But imagine that you found something better than gold or diamonds, something you would swap all your wealth for. Perhaps it is something you can hide completely, so it is not in danger of being stolen. It's light and easy to carry. Even a million thieves would not discover your precious item. Something like that would have to be invisible first of all, so thieves cannot see it. Is there such a thing-invisible, precious, and priceless? Yes. It is God and true love, of course. God is our Father-Father and true love. Nothing else would satisfy everyone. From this, all the joy of the universe begins.

A new family needs a husband and wife. Do you sisters have good husbands? You don't seem very confident! Do you rascal brothers have good wives? What makes them good? You call them good if they love God and True Parents, don't you? It is only through God and True Parents that true love can flow. God is our invisible, true Father on the vertical plane, while we have the True Parents on the horizontal plane.

In my last sermon I talked about the absolute vertical line and the absolute horizontal line. We must link the vertical and horizontal -- one line is our spiritual Father in heaven, the other is the physical True Father on earth. What is the difference between them? One is the absolute vertical, and the other is the absolute horizontal. Between them there is a perfectly perpendicular, degree angle. When they are harmonized them is an eternal circular motion. It has no end. The motor turns but no power turns it; it just ignites. Once perfect vertical and horizontal begin give and take and create circular motion, them is no end. It is eternal. Plus and plus repel each other, likewise minus and minus, but plus and minus pull each other. Once there is a small impetus or spark, the whole begins to turn.

Therefore, we need a vertical father and a horizontal father. Why do we need both the invisible God and visible True Parents? Love has dual characteristics -- one is invisible, the other visible. Between the two, invisible love is the central and subject position. When you love someone, the invisible heart or mind exists first before you take certain loving actions. You do not take action and then think of love.

Why do we regard God as most important of all beings? Because He is subject, even though He is invisible. When you practice the two kinds of love, you are doing all fight-love for the invisible Father and love for the visible Father. Visible love, which exists in the horizontal realm, is love in the dimension of time, while God's love is in the realm of eternity. We can expand horizontal love without limit, but there is only one point where that expansion can begin: at the perpendicular, 90-degree point. That is the mediation point where the love of our invisible Father and our visible parents can begin.

Once you know this, you can use the opportunity to grab that love and hide it in the most secret place in your heart. From that point, you are free to initiate universal action. Everything is free. Then you can expand the circle as much or as little as you want; you are totally free. How can you do that? Since the vertical line has no limit, it can accommodate your direction. God's true love will want to follow you. The supply of true love is only limited by the size of your love. When your love is fused with God's invisible and True Parents' visible love, the intensity of your love will determine its scope.

Isn't that great? Would you rather have gold pieces the size of a continent, or hold onto this kind of love? Perhaps you prefer true, invisible love because it is mom convenient to carry around? You pragmatic American people! Is that the only reason?

You said universal love has more value, but why? True love is like an ID card. When God sees it, He will give you carte blanche over the whole world. You can demand anything and everything without limit with that true love. I know how greedy you are and what requests you will make. "I want You, God! Please come and join with my true love right away." God will say, "Yes, I will!" God will come down to your true love at your request, and so will True Parents. Even if you kept God and the True Parents in a small bag, they would not feel suffocated. Inside true love, God and the True Parents feel incredible joy.

When lovers come together, they hold each other tightly and they actually seem to get smaller; they almost want to crush each other. It is the same between you and God and True Parents. In the intensity of your love, you will all be compressed into a small ball, like a marble. That is good because the smaller the ball, the faster it can turn. When God comes closer and closer inside that ball, the speed intensifies, going faster and faster.

When you run fast, you breathe hard. The faster you move, the faster you breathe. God wants to experience suffocating, breath-taking love inside that tiny marble ball. How wonderful that is! All you need is one, invisible little thing called true love. With that ID card you have a free pass to go see kings and queens, or even thieves and murderers and melt their hearts. Don't you feel good just thinking about it? When it is real, how much better it is!

Now you should be able to answer whether your spouse is a good one or not. Your wife or husband is the conducting wire of true love to you. You should think, "My husband may not be so handsome, but all he needs are two qualities: love of God and love of True Parents." Through that, true love can come. Your husband or wife is the conveyer belt between the visible father and invisible Father.

Most people tend to think a lot about physical appearance and want to marry someone like a Hollywood movie star. Can you tell the difference between a true diamond and an imitation? In appearance a man-made diamond is mom organized. A natural diamond has certain irregular qualities that have to be made the best of. The important thing with men and women is the original quality.

I know that each of you has some false areas as well as your original qualities. Who has more original qualities men or women? Men are not as changeable. For example, they tend to wear the same suit every day, while women think, "I wore red yesterday, so I have to wear a different color today." Something which is not genuine, an imitation, has more of the changeable quality. Don't hate me for saying this. I'm only telling the truth. I have nothing against American women!

From God's point of view, the most handsome man and beautiful woman are those who can draw the straightest line of love and thus be the best conveyer belt. The question is whether that straight line is imitation or genuine. If that line is drawn with 24-karat gold wire, the purest kind, its conductibility is 100%. Would you prefer a thick line that was only gold-plated on the outside, or a thin fine of pure gold? You have seen men who come from rich families and look handsome but who are really only gold-plated. Wouldn't you women prefer a poor husband of genuine gold?

Outside our Church we see many beauty queens Hollywood stars, models and cover girls. But many Unification Church women look like ghosts! Do you want a wife with the gold on the outside or the inside? You men are looking for the genuine qualities of heart. You won't find it in those movie stars or cover girls. What changes most quickly -- the outside or the inside of a woman? What about men? Do you find men and women with unchangeable qualities in the Unification Church? Is that good fortune or bad? Yes, it's good!

You are looking for a good wife or husband. That means a man or woman of God. Can you find many such people in the secular world? Why not? It is because they don't have True Parents. Men and women in this world are looking for sensational love, which is changeable, but in the Unification Church we are looking for unchangeable love. We aren't thinking so much about whether our spouse looks like a ghost, but whether he or she has that genuine gold wire inside.

Can you find that unchangeable love within one year? How do you know love won't change after one year? You have to live together ten or twenty years to really discover your mate's unique, unchanging qualities. Those are the qualities that will intoxicate you and last for all eternity.

Marriage is a journey that men and women begin together. Where will it end? Can you imagine living for 10,000 years? Compared to eternity, that is just the beginning. Some people realize that. Others think, "Boy, one month is eternity! I can't even stand to look at my wife." Marriage is like exploring a gold mine. In one month or one year you can barely find one sewn of gold. There may be all kinds of foreign elements in it, so unless you dig deeper down, you won't know what's there. That is the adventure of married life.

There are two different kinds of appearance. A Broadway stage can look like a golden palace, but them is nothing behind the facade. On the other hand, a simple mountain may look plain, but when you dig into it you discover limitless resources inside. I always ask whether genuineness can be mom frequently found in an attractive person or a homely one. You greedy guys always think you can be genuine and handsome, too! Actually, there are always exceptions, so you can be the exception! But generally the unchanging qualities are more often found in the homelier-looking people.

We see women wearing elaborate cosmetics, false eyelashes, high heels and beautiful dresses. They may change their costume three times a day in order to parade down Fifth Avenue. Is that the ideal for a woman? What about a man with flowing hair and mustache, wearing a fancy breast pocket handkerchief going into a bar to find girls? Is that ideal? Then consider a man who smells bad, even from a distance, and who only has two teeth; perhaps he is almost blind, too. Could someone like that be genuine 24-karat gold? You have to focus your concept of an ideal man and woman.

A 24-karat gold wire can conduct electricity even if it is crooked and has all kinds of loops and twists. Would you prefer such a gold wire, or a perfectly straight one? As long as they are of genuine gold, their conductibility is just the same. If the amount of energy passing through is the same, why go after the straight wire? When you unwind the crooked wire, you have a greater amount of gold! The important thing is the genuineness and purity of the gold.

A pure gold person will probably be ugly. There are exceptions, but usually this is true. After listening to this explanation, you sisters who are proud to have the ugliest husband in the Unification Church, raise your hands! At night he may be uglier than in the morning because he is tired from living the sacrificial way of life for God. Perhaps your husband doesn't worry about you or the children as much as doing the will of God. Is he an impossible husband?

From all the usual standards of appearance and education, your husband may seem impossible, but the important question is whether he is genuinely living for the will of God. However ugly that person may be, his gold can be refined by dressing him up and educating him and teaching him manners. The handsome man, on the other hand, would more likely think it is dumb to live for God and True Parents and not for himself. Which type of husband would you want?

I experienced this very thing in my own life. My first wife was outstanding as an individual, but she only thought of her own well being and our family. But I was looking for a woman who would take care of everyone else first. I wanted our home to be open for public service and a place of God's love, but she could not live like that. If I listened to that woman, would I be here today teaching you this message? I knew that my wife had a very difficult task to truly live for the sake of others, but to follow her direction would have lead to permanent death. I could not possibly live that way. When she knew she could not change my mind, she just left.

I could not leave God's destiny. I know this from my own experience. This can also happen to you. You must keep your two eyes focused on God and True Parents. Please be like spearheads and penetrate to the goal.

What kind of spear is your husband? Does his handle look worn out? The important thing is the spearhead; if that is genuine gold then you have a lot of hope. No matter how sharp the spearhead of true love, it does not hurt or destroy but embraces. It can penetrate anything else. When your husband penetrates the true love of God, it will bring happiness and prosperity and everything good to you.

Am I handsome or ugly? I would describe myself as a cruel man for pushing you out so much. There must be something wrong with your eyes if you still think I am handsome! But you know that I am pushing you out so that you can find life and true love. If I were doing that for my own wealth and glory then I would be a monster. If my motivation were anything other than true love, then the closer you got to me, the uglier I would look. Your heart would turn cold and you would depart. You have found that I look stem and merciless, yet still you want to be close in order to find love and beauty.

Do you think Mother is a very fortunate and happy woman to be married to me? In one sense she is fortunate, but them is untold suffering behind her appearance. I know her suffering because she has virtually no freedom. She does not determine her own schedule. She has no freedom to sleep whenever she wants, but only when I allow it. It is not easy to be my wife. My life is absolutely public. Yesterday Mother didn't feel very well, but I had said that we would visit Washington, DC, so she just obeyed and followed. She had a headache and felt dizzy, but do you think Mother slept all morning? Absolutely not. Do you still think Mother is a happy woman?

I went to Washington yesterday and visited the members at The Washington Times, and Mother was there with me every minute. You know my sermons don't last just ten minutes but go on for hours, and Mother was there the whole time. I'm sure she was thinking I could give a great message in just a short time, but she sat and listened for hours. Even this morning I'm sure she would like me to give a short sermon because there is a celebration scheduled today at East Garden. Mother is concerned that I will get too tired. She feels anxious when I go on and on, but still she obeys and sits calmly Mother does not have an easy life at all. You may think she is the happiest person under the sun with nothing to worry about, but that is not the case.

Mother knows that she must follow my will because everything I do is for the salvation and benefit of others. I care about the lives of The Washington Times people so I talked a long time to them. Mother knows this so she supports me. I just came back from Gloucester. After a whole summer on the ocean I was very fatigued and would have liked to rest. I could have sent Bo Hi Pak here to give the sermon this morning, but I came anyway, pounding on you again! I come here to give the milk of life to you, almost like spiritual breast-feeding. When you drink it like a child, your eyes and ears, as well as your spiritual mind, open up. Wherever I am, when Sunday comes I want to bring resurrection to you.

When you come to Belvedere expecting to see me, the air is tense with anticipation and you feel keyed up. But then if I am away and someone else speaks instead, you feel let down. I know exactly what happens, so I push myself to come here every Sunday morning. I couldn't rest at East Garden while the church leaders spoke here in my place. It is impossible for me to even imagine that. I push myself up no matter how tired I am.

No one gives me money to speak like this. I receive no honorarium. I understand that because of the system at The Washington Times, our members have to get paid and, because of that, other members want to work there. Let them go and see how long they could maintain themselves. It is a sort of heretical system in the Unification Church tradition. I allow it because I am realistic enough to know how to deal with the secular world. Do you prefer the heavenly system instead?

In the traditional heavenly way, there is no danger, but there is a risk involved in going the way of the secular world. You must take extra caution. If you go the traditional way then your husbands will go out for the mission and the wife must support the family. Does that sound better than having your husband get a paycheck from the Times so that you can stay home all day? The secular way may sound sweet, but I have walked the heavenly way.

Now you know what a genuine wife and husband are all about. I want you to understand that your husband or wife is not your private property. You come out of the fallen world, yet your mate comes as a gift from heaven, through True Parents. You must be able to read the label that comes on your spouse. That label tells you where that item comes from. "Made in Heaven." That gift is given to you in order that you might consummate true love. It is impossible for love to be consummated by one person alone.

This is the Principle. Husbands and wives, look at each other as representatives of God and True Parents. Your duty is to love each other, and by doing so you are loving True Parents and your Heavenly Father. By loving his wife, the husband is loving True Mother. The wife is loving True Father by loving her husband. As you love each other, you are loving God and True Parents. Your journey is to eternity, and the achievement of true love is our goal.

Even if your husband or wife cannot make it, that does not give you the right to give up. Think, "You may abandon me, but I will not abandon you or this path." There is no such thing as abandonment in God's world. Our way of life requires us to be patient and persevere. If you are abandoned, that is not your responsibility. Think, "Because God exists, I have hope. I will return to Him one way or another." That is the meaning of the Blessing given on July 1.

I am giving you men and women a mandate. You are destined to live this central life where the vertical and horizontal lines cross, where you can find the invisible love of God and the visible love of True Parents. You are destined to consummate that love and expand it to the world. Of course, there are difficulties on this path. Whenever my boat, "New Hope," leaves port it is in good shape and everything is functioning smoothly. But something invariably happens. Maybe a storm will come up, or the engine will develop trouble. A crewmember may make a mistake and overlook something. But the important thing is to cope with any situation and persevere to find the solution. Instead of panicking, take care of the matter and go on.

At first glance your husband may not seem so attractive, but then look at him from the point of view of his father and mother. You should be competing with his parents to love that man more than his parents do. The wife should be able to do this because his parents couldn't know true love. You are in a position to know true love, and it should be much more intense and sacred than that of his physical parents.

You must feel that you are superior in love to any other couple in the secular world. You must be more united and pure in your love. You men and women must live up to this credo I am giving you this morning. This is exactly the same covenant Mother and I fulfill. Sometimes I look at Mother as a daughter, sometimes as a mother. I want to love her more than any other person loved her, including her parents, because I represent true love. From that point on, the true love of God can be linked to us. Everything is discussed and organized in matters of love. The dispensational matters don't have to concern Mother, but in matters of love everything is openly discussed and we are united. Purity must always be preserved.

I want to share an episode that happened in Gloucester. I was out on the ocean for two days and nights, without sleep, and I lay down exhausted when I returned. Mother asked Mrs. Lee, a 36-Couple wife who was helping in the house, to give me some massage since she is an expert in Shiatsu. I was lying down on the floor, and Mother was on the bed, while Mrs. Lee was giving me a massage. I was dead tired, like a log, almost unconscious. Whenever I reach over at night, naturally the person I touch is always Mother. In my semi-conscious state, I reached over and caressed who I thought was Mother. But it felt different, so I woke up to see what happened, and it wasn't Mother at all!

The next morning when I got up and remembered what had happened, how do you think I felt? How do you think Mrs. Lee felt? Such a thing can never be permitted. I just woke up Mother and told her, "I had an accident," and asked her to take care of the matter. Mother received the news very calmly and absolutely believed me. She told me not to worry. Mother told Mrs. Lee what I had said, and then we met together with Mrs. Lee. She was completely understanding and her comment to me was, "Father, I knew exactly what happened and I feel very honored!" Mrs. Lee also said that from a professional point of view, it was understandable. When you massage a certain point, the person's arm will automatically come up.

I see the episode as a beautiful one because there was complete purity and trust between each person, with nothing to cover up inside. I am telling you this story because you are now husbands and wives, not just single men and women. All kinds of misunderstandings can be created if your motivation is unclear. But love and purity must prevail. There are no secrets in true love between husband and wife.

You are your spouse's bridge to the love of God. You are the extension of God's love. The husband is the extension of my image, and the wife the extension of Mother's image. That is how you are to unite all mankind, making a complete circle of love. When two circles come together, truly a new home is born which is an educating ground for the love of Father and Mother and God. The women represent the post of Mother's love and men represent the post of Father's love; together they represent God's love You should be absolutely clear that you are making a heavenly home where love can come, where a true husband and wife can be born.

Do not consider that you are a true husband and wife simply because you were sprinkled with holy water on July 1. You must be sealed by God. You represent God and True Parents and must become masters of love. Until then you cannot be sealed as true husband and wife. All the people around you will bear witness to your love, including the angels. Under those circumstances you will give birth to a child, like Adam and Eve who were surrounded by angels.

God, Adam, Eve, and the angels were all meant to rejoice together over the birth of each child. In the same way, when you are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, your child will be celebrated by everyone. People will say, "Behold, this beautiful couple gave birth to a beautiful new child."

Whether you are Japanese, German, British, American or whatever doesn't matter because we are wiping out the past. We have only one citizenship that matters. Our country is the Heavenly Kingdom, and the precious historical contents of its museum are what we will offer to God. You are creating your contribution to that museum the family period, tribal period, national period, world period, and cosmic period. At that point, you completely enter the direct dominion of God where God dwells with you. Your family should enter God's museum as a unit. Do you have confidence in this?

I want you to be absolutely free of self-centeredness. Considering your past, when you present your body to your spouse, you must feel humble, meek and ashamed because your body and mind are not quite ready to become containers of true love. You should feel repentful. Your children should be able to say that their parents are truly saints. Educate your children through your own example, and help them to feel inspired by your life. Your children should say they never saw their parents fight. Mother and I are under the same law. Under no circumstances do we show strain or tears in front of the children.

You are trying to create a precious treasure for God's museum. That task begins with your holy wedding. You sisters want to become true daughters, wives and mothers, don't you? Who will acknowledge your accomplishment and sign your certificate? Your husband, True Parents and God must sign your certificate. What is the criteria we will use to decide? It all centers on whether you have true love. The center of true love is God, True Parents and your husband, and you must serve these three. Never think that you possess true love by yourself.

Only through true love can you have any relationship with God and True Parents. You brothers want to become true sons, husbands and fathers, don't you? Who shall sign your certificate? Your wife, God, and True Parents. It is not enough for your wife to say that you love her. True Parents and God must also recognize your true love. Thereafter, anywhere you go on earth or in heaven, you will be welcomed. Once you reach that level, no matter how poor you are, you will never starve, and your children will never desert or betray you. That is the center of the force of the entire universe, and it will protect you according to natural law. You will never be destroyed.

If you live in the world with a selfish point of view, you will not go anywhere. When you reach out to hold your wife's hand, you should first ask whether your hand has received the love of God and True Parents. If your conscience says no, you have no right to hold your wife's hand. If your eye does not deserve the love of True Parents and God, it is a thief's eye. When you embrace your wife, do you have that pure, unselfish love which represents heaven and earth?

The love between husband and wife should sprinkle fragrant goodness all over the world so that the rest of the universe harmonizes with you. Everything in the universe should welcome your love, and the consummation of it should be a new child.

Your children will be the ones to eulogize you when you go to spirit world. At that time, they should be able to bear witness to their parents and say that you were truly righteous and lived for the sake of God and True Parents and the family. Your children should say their mother was truly a great mother, wife and daughter of God. Your children should be able to say that their father was a true father, husband, and son of God. That is the end of the first chapter of your life, and then the next glorious chapter begins in the spirit world.

Your children will be the ones to ask God to take care of their parents. When God hears such a prayer He will be moved to fulfill their request. That is the goal of our families. If you have nothing to be ashamed of when you come before God, True Parents and your family, then you have nothing to be ashamed of in all of heaven and earth. In the true home given by heaven, everything becomes yours when you become God's and True Parents'. Keep this invisible, priceless treasure in your bosom.

Before you joined the Unification Church, I am sure you did things that you would be ashamed of in front of your parents and brothers and sisters. Without knowing the truth, you acted unwisely. This is why you want to cleanse the past through the engagement and wedding ceremonies, making yourself into a new person. There is no solution other than true love. You have to follow it. Now God is giving you a new home; do you know the priceless value of it? I want you to know what a precious position you are in. Even Jesus Christ, with all the power and authority of the Messiah, could not cross over this barrier, but you have done so. How very precious that is.

Does your husband or wife belong to you? Are they your private property? You must become the master of true love so that you can become true wives and husbands, true sons and daughters of God. If we do not see things from God's point of view, then the small matters of everyday life can become problems. But when you see the broad path, then everything else can be solved. Do you think Mother and I truly love one another? Will my children testify to this? Will God and spirit world testify to it?

Have I given you too much tough material this morning? Did my sermon interfere with plans you had for your future family life, perhaps a cozy apartment with no interruptions and lots of love and joy? I preached the wrong sermon for that! I'm sorry, but I have to do it. Do you thank me or hate me for these words today? Within this principle of true love you have total freedom of conscience and you can be truly happy. For eternity you will not be able to praise each other enough. Was this Blessing given to you freely or was it earned by you? It is given by heaven, as God's gift. Why does God give it to you? He wants to see true love consummated within you and your home.

Some of you lived very dishonorably in the past, with no moral standards. You are grateful to True Parents for teaching the right path. From now on, however, you cannot make a mistake because you know the truth. You shall become righteous husbands and wives. Religious people of the past made tremendous sacrifices to bring you into this position to consummate true love. They were like the fertilizer for your victory because they helped create the atmosphere for today. God has been suffering for 6,000 biblical years, persevering in incredible agony to see this one true couple, the True Parents. I am looking for American couples who can be visited at any time by God and True Parents.

From the anchor of true love, you can extend your line anywhere. Your boat can go freely anywhere in the ocean as long as your anchor is connected to this principle. You can have a free pass to the highest palace in heaven. One thousand years from now we will all be in spirit world, and if you want to go in to greet the True Parents, you must present your ID card of true love. Otherwise, you cannot enter that East Garden in heaven, If you have that ID card, though, you can be with True Parents at any time, rejoicing and having fellowship with them.

Where is God then? In spirit world God is still invisible, but you can feel His presence perfectly. Just as your conscience guides you now, God is present in your heart, guiding you in spirit world. By then you will truly feel the value of having followed the True Parents here on earth. You will be victorious in heaven and earth and feel deeply grateful to God and True Parents. That precious thing can only be achieved through the foundation of the family I have described. In order to achieve such a family, I gave you the Blessing.

Your smile should be a universal one which can correspond with history. Love goes beyond time. In describing this world of true love, English is inadequate. There are no words to describe the manifestations of true love. You must feel to the bone how precious one man is, one woman is. The love organs of man and woman are the final terminals of the love of True Parents and the love of God.

It is almost like you are fishing for each other with true love as your bait. Men are hooking women and women are hooking men. Even if blood is coming out of your mouth because of the hook, you still feel good. Build this role of husband and wife from now on. Do not be excited by the sensation of physical love, but first by the spiritual contents of love. Then the physical side will follow, subject and object, and be sanctified.

If you have been skeptical and wishy-washy so far, can you commit yourselves now to living up to the purpose of Heaven and the True Parents? Thank you all.

Why We Have an Ocean Church

Sun Myung Moon
September 5, 1982
East Garden

SunMyungMoon-820905.jpg

Those who do not wish to continue in the Ocean Church mission, please raise your hands. I would like to speak about the ocean providence today. Until June 1981, Master Marine built 150 boats, and when they finish building 300 of these, the factory can move to Alabama. Once it moves to Alabama, it will make small and major fishing vessels in the fiberglass division. In the future, boats up to 100 and 120 feet will be built, the basic plan being to create a boat that can take Alaskan waters. This boat would have the fundamental design for other boats that could fish in Southern or Eastern waters.

At the same time, we originally planned to create thirty Ocean Church centers along the coast line of the United States. Then, thirty major boats, each something like a "mother ship," could have been sent to each center. In one year's time you should have gained enough experience to captain those boats. On October 1, 1980, I gathered all the members in Gloucester and gave the details of the vision of Ocean Church. Were you there? The original plan was for you to go to a major port and begin training young people. Each One Hope boat was to be used to interest young people in the vision of fishing and the ocean. If they were responsible, we could have even turned over the boat to them, a minimum of five young people per boat.

The initial stage or foundation was for each center to utilize and be responsible for ten boats. With five youths per boat, you should be training fifty young people by now and they could have been working with Ocean Church members. Our plan was not just for fishing, but to create a network of people with a vision for the ocean. The problem has been our understanding of Ocean Church. Why do we add the word "church" after "ocean"? Ocean Church is a church movement because it is founded upon and guided by a belief. That belief is a philosophy, meaning that our main concern is internal or spiritual. That is the essence of Ocean Church. The future is for those who develop their spirit; they are the ones who can truly take care of creation, of the world.

Basic Structure of the American Movement

I designed the basic route for the core of our movement who come through the Seminary at Barrytown. After graduation, they should first go to CARP and train on the campus. Then, automatically they should come to Ocean Church. That is the plan for educating the leadership of our movement: from UTS to CARP to Ocean Church. After that kind of well-rounded training, the seminarian should go on to state leadership. Every state must have that kind of leader.

Anyone who wants to qualify in the future for state leadership must first qualify for leadership in CARP and Ocean Church. The movement is growing beyond the level of the present state leadership. So far, no matter how clear and creative the directions were, they have not been digested and accepted. The message dwindled with each step, from the leadership to the members, until it no longer made sense when it got to the members. However, the leader who moves from CARP to Ocean Church and then to state leadership can understand and respond to my direction. They will be like a special task force, ready to respond and go whenever they hear new directions.

In the future, the Unification Church hierarchy, or means of leadership and direction, will be on the state level. It will not be a strict federal system, but more a state system. Each state will become a strong unit able to take care of its own situation and create its own direction. For example, there is a federal government in America, but each state has its own government as well. This is a source of strength for America. I would like to emulate that system in our movement. We will group together the states into regions of five states, which together would form one group. Therefore, we would have ten regions and each region would have its own director helping each state leader. All that would be needed then, would be a good connection between headquarters and the regions. The mission of headquarters should be small. There isn't so much needed by the central point, except to gather information from the local centers and be able to understand the whole picture. Then, headquarters can give general directions centered upon the work of each region. Each region would have an IW who would go to each state and see exactly what is going on, what is good, what needs changing, etc. They would report directly and only to headquarters. The IW should be connected with me and know about our tradition and way of life, as well as church administration. The mission of the IW is to go to each state so that the members are educated directly. In this way they can give guidance and counseling to all the members.

This is how a unified system can unfold across the country, even though each state takes the major burden of responsibility for itself. What shall our education center upon? Tradition. And what is that tradition? That tradition will include CARP tradition, Ocean Church tradition and state leadership tradition. We will educate members to become well rounded and capable to take care of others in any situation.

Why am I interested in that kind of organization? There are three categories into which people fit in this country: those who live inland; those who live on the coast; and those who are young, the next generation. The young generation includes high school and college students. Thus we need to have both a campus (CARP) and a high school (HARP) movement.

It's not possible to deal with those who are old minded, who are so set in their way of life that they don't want to move and change. We have to pioneer a new world with young people who look to the future and are excited by adventure. Young people are the most creative and productive group in the world. However, there is division there. There are those who are serious and those who are turning to free sex, drugs and all kinds of self-indulgence.

We are dedicated to creating young people who are morally clear. We have to clean them up and challenge them and channel their resources. That is CARP's mission. From 1978 on, there was almost no focus on state level church activities. CARP members were pushed so hard to create a strong CARP movement. CARP members have many enemies who are strong and willing to face them. In almost every college in America there have been strong Communist and leftist groups actively at work for many years. I knew there would be angry confrontations. On many campuses the leftist and more violent organizations almost took over. It has been and continues to be a real problem. The members of CARP have to confront that and show a winning spirit over the ideology and tactics of communist related groups on the college campus. In 1978, CARP was initiated in America, however, real activities on campus didn't begin until a year later. Before we set up our national network, we have to create a solid tradition of victory. The goal for CARP by the end of 1982 is to pioneer 300 campuses. I want to save your country. How about you? If we save America, the entire world can be saved. America is the microcosm and the world still looks to America and follows its example.

Since 1978, we have confronted many Communist groups on the campus and many of them have retreated. I am absolutely sure they can be won over. The first step is the university campus, for it is in the universities, where future leaders are being prepared, that one can begin to approach any nation. From America, the CARP movement will grow all around the world. I would really like to see CARP expand, especially in Germany. The greatest sight would be to see young people in CARP come together and break down the Berlin wall and reunite the country in true peace. I would truly like to see this accomplished through what I call the "women's force." Women are the spearhead; when women move forward, the opposition cannot stand. That is vision. Can you understand?

Relationship Between Ocean Church and CARP

Since CARP and Ocean Church are growing up side by side, they should work together. They should have a spirit of cooperation. CARP members can ask their college student friends to come with them to their boat and this will create a great deal of interest in the more adventurous students. Then, Ocean Church members can take the students out and teach them about our vision for the future. College students will be very excited by this kind of program and plan.

The inland movement should be linked to the coastal movement. That is CARP and Ocean Church. Most college students are inland, but through Ocean Church, they can be introduced to a whole new horizon. We have the system and the program, the plan and the vision. So, why not? We can go to the college campus and form a club. We can let them be responsible for a boat in the same way that I've already outlined. We can just say, "You can have them!" All they have to do is get ten people and form a club. Many students would work day in and day out to use such a boat.

Up to now detailed directions have been given, but they were not fulfilled. Ocean Church members, have you done any of these things? You should be seasoned fishermen by now so that when the university students come, you will be able to intoxicate them with a sense of the ocean and everything within it. You should be able to take them on the journey of their life and teach them how to fish.

When a big boat of ours comes to each port, you can take them out on the One Hope and show them the boat. You can tell them that if they want to, and if they work hard, they can surely have a boat like that in the future. Many young people would go crazy to have that kind of goal. You can give them something to dream about, something to live for.

You can let them fish on the weekends on the big boat. During the week, teach them by taking them out in the One Hope. They can use their weekend work towards their college expenses. They can study for their MA degree and Ph.D. degree with their earnings. What a great opportunity for them. They can graduate with intellectual and sea going skills; with intellectual, mechanical and spiritual skills.

That's the vision and the goal. What has happened? The years have been virtually wasted. Why don't you work towards these goals? I have to tell you again and repeat everything. It's disheartening. The major leaders in our church should become an advisory group and feel responsible, either for the failure or success of Ocean Church.

What do you CARP members think? Are you excited to exist side by side with Ocean Church or are you reluctant? Young people are still very much wanting to get into life. Think about it. Locate the boats at different schools. Come up with the ocean going youth. If you can't find such youth, then CARP members should take up one boat and show the way. Ten CARP members should have two boats. They can attract young people to come out and use the boats. It can become a program of great pride in that school. CARP can even give scholarships based on someone's performance in the program. These boats meet with the spirit of young people. They are sharp, modern and powerful. I wanted a boat that would move like a knife in the water and cut right through the waves. I designed the boats for the sake of young people, to excite their hearts and minds. This is the love that I have for young people.

I expected Ocean Church to take off, but it hasn't quite done that. You are clunking along. We are in an emergency all over the world, so I cannot waste one minute. When we first started to build these boats, we knew nothing about it, but we created an absolute miracle. Master Marine started from scratch. Members came from all over the world to work on those boats. Why? I wanted Ocean Church to go to the entire world. Therefore, once a member is successful here, he can go to the rest of the world. Ocean Church members are responsible to win the support of local governments. From the mayor and police chief to the governor. They will look at your work and proclaim you. Will your parents be negative about that? Not at all. The problem is that Ocean Church never took off. There was an eight year plan prepared for Ocean Church. I had hoped you would complete the program in that amount of time and be able to move on to the international level.

I had expected Ocean Church to be so successful that everyone would envy Ocean Church. Ocean Church members are well educated and many of you came from the seminary. Your experiences in Ocean Church should make you into great leaders for this country. You should deal with college professors, teach them our principles and show them our vision. Give them lectures. You can do that; it's not a strange thing for you to do.

I made up my mind. I know that you can become such people. Even the Ph.D. graduates must come to Ocean Church; they have to go this course. By training in this way, we will surely develop the kind of leadership that can truly teach this nation and show it the way into the future. I sincerely want to see you become those men and women. Look at the path I have walked. I have trained myself as a fisherman. Why? Not for myself, but to save the nation. I have determined to find the way over and beyond communism. I have been fighting all my life against communism. America must not be lost to this ideology. That is why for more than thirty years I have given every inch of my life for this cause.

I have already studied and pioneered your course. CARP members, do you know your mission? Communism is seeping into America through the college campuses. You have to expose that and confront it. Ocean Church members, drugs are coming into this country through the ocean. You have to protect the true freedom of this nation. You have to protect its original dignity.

This is a monumental task. When Americans wake up to their situation, they will look around and ask, "where is the person who can lead us out of this?" Someone has to come and revitalize Christianity so that it can truly stir the conscience of the people. God has directed me to do that. You are seminary graduates: Go out and work all day long on the ocean and then come home and teach at night. This is exactly what I have done for you. Now, are you awakened? You don't like Ocean Church? You don't like CARP? This is how we will save the nation. Do you think the government will praise me and come after me for help? They will do exactly the opposite. Knowing that, you have to be tough.

Around the world, brothers and sisters are sweating blood. They are literally sending blood money to this nation, to save this nation. You are riding the boat and the wind is blowing hard; you should yell at the wind, "I am going to go forward to justify the blood money of my brothers and sisters!" This is their hope in you. Seminary graduates in CARP, raise your hands. Are you ready to go to Ocean Church? Your accomplishments in CARP will come with you to Ocean Church. I appreciate your willingness to follow this course.

Taking Responsibility for America

Even so, I am so deeply disappointed. At Provincetown this year, the members were reluctant to go out. I had to do all the pulling and pushing to get people out. You are young; you should be exclaiming to me, "Father, forget about the high winds, let's go out!" When you know you are going out, you have to work hours ahead of time, get everything ready. When I come, the engines are out of order, the bait isn't bought and the hooks aren't the right size. How can you hope to move the world with such a sluggish approach to things?

What are you worried about? Your life is taken care of. God has already given you your destiny. You should just be serious about fishing. Someday your wife and children will depend upon your work for their life. Don't you know that? Most of you just look for excuses not to do things. Do you understand exactly how I feel? Do you think that I want you to bring money to me so that I can steal it and take it back to Korea? It's exactly the opposite. I am bringing money from overseas to help you get this project started. The government can't even see that much. They are so blind they want to kick me out of the country. However, I am determined to help you, to help this nation.

I would like to have some comfort somewhere, but there is no relief. The government is persecuting me and that is difficult. However, if you don't fulfill the simple responsibility given you, that's even worse persecution. Go to your campuses and ocean cities. Do it and it will be accomplished. Just give everything that you have and go out.

Where were you before I came? Many of you were just like human trash. Were you thinking about America or saving humanity? Were you thinking about spirit world and eternal life? Were you thinking about the quality of your own life? Did you have any real concern even for yourselves. Did you ever think about the will of God? Far from it.

What have you to fear? You are free. You are American citizens. You have the right to work twenty-four hours a day for the sake of your country. Can they put you in jail for that? They chase after me day and night, but they will not come after you. You are born here, but you cannot feel what I am feeling for this nation. You cannot feel the emergency this nation is in. This is what pains me more than anything else. You have no idea. We have to have a heart-to-heart understanding. I want a firm foundation before I depart from America. Are you tired? That word doesn't exist for us. I should have been tired years and years ago. I am over sixty years of age. I am almost at the age of retirement. And yet, I am going at twice the rate you are.

When I first met Mr. Masters, I noticed his hair was completely white and thought he was an old man. I treated him kindly and didn't push him too much. Then I found out he was only fifty-six and I thought, "Oh, I should have really pushed him much more, he is only a young man!" Why is this man here from Britain? Does he have a separate destiny from you? No. The world is only one world. America is not just by itself. No nation is just by itself. We share whatever happens. However, America will choose her own destiny. I am always thinking about other nations that can fulfill this role if America fails. Sodom and Gomorrah received judgment from God. They were given many chances to decide their own destiny. Finally, Lot and his wife had to leave. God told them to not look back, but the woman did and turned into a pillar of salt.

If I leave this country, I will not look back, not even once. Do you want to see the day that I pack up and leave this nation? What stops me from leaving this violent nation? You do. Looking at you living this way of life and giving your absolute heart keeps me here. Many countries are even begging me to come. In South America and Africa, many countries are asking for me to come. Shall I go?

Someday I will go, but do you want me to go in a way that abandons America?

If you want to succeed in this nation, you have to pay indemnity. That is my way of life. I will never change one iota of it. When God told Abraham to go, he had to leave. Abraham couldn't say, "Well, what am I going to do about expenses?" He had to take off right then and there. I am a serious man. If I have to leave America in that way, I will not return, not even if the State department realizes something and asks for me to come back. I will have to cut off and that would be absolute.

Now do you understand the importance of CARP and Ocean Church? Master Marine members, do you know how important those boats are? Master Marine members, what kind of heart do you have about your work? Ocean Church, I had expected you to realize some of the great potential of your mission already. All right then, today is the day you receive new direction. You have to remember this day deep within your heart. Your mission is so vital that the survival of America hangs on you. You have to feel this to the bone. There is no other way for this nation.

If you participate in this crusade and lift this country up to serve God and mankind, will you be forgotten? Will your grave be left unattended? Do you think this country will think of you someday? I can answer that one clearly. You will become old and tired and want to hide, but the public will search you out and make you serve even further. Can you think about just getting married and taking care of only your own family? I have treated you like royalty. You were men and women without any concern for the world, just at the bottom of life, but I picked you up and glorified you. You have been given an education. I have been lifting up your heart and spirit so that you could lead this nation. What more can I do for you? What more can you expect from me?

The survival of this nation, the hope of the free world is on your shoulders. Just go on for ten or twenty years. That is all I am asking of you. Then you will see. This nation will be desperate and needing you. You will be able to bring this nation up. Can you feel tired thinking of that? You will be in your prime when you are forty or fifty years old; that is the prime of life when you still have energy, but also experience and wisdom. Don't just be a drop out. You will see. In ten or twenty years' time, you will harvest the fruits of all your efforts.

I am now fishing for striped bass. This fish is very difficult to catch and that is why I have pursued it. The whole area talked about me all summer long. While I was fishing, no one could even find any striped bass, but I caught them every day. You have to be like that. People have to respect you for what you can do. I never said a word, but my actions caused everyone to talk all summer long. Be like that. Just have a single minded goal and work day in and day out for that goal. What kind of man am I? Then what kind of person should you be? I want to train you to be great men and women. Absolutely.

In Provincetown and Gloucester, I did most of the work, but when everyone was talking, they didn't say, "Reverend Moon did this and that." No, instead they talked about the Moonies taking all the tuna and striped bass. I want it to be like that, because all my efforts are for you. I want to push you up and up. Look at this little brother here. He just works on the New Hope engine and cuts smelly fish all day. His hands are dirty all the time and his clothes are smelly. No one even sees him, but if they did they wouldn't want to be near him. Ten years from now he can be the mayor of Los Angeles. Why not? Why not? If he takes responsibility and works desperately, he will grow and become a person to whom others give great respect. Just work, don't talk, don't look for comfort. People will then notice you and they will ask you to take care of things beyond your imagination.

Look at Bo Hi Pak. When we first decided to start the media providence he didn't even know what a newspaper was. But now there is the Washington Times and it will produce far more than its own publication. Who did that? Bo Hi Pak? No, not at all. He just worked, uniting with me and following Heavenly Father completely. Then a miracle could happen. When you make up your mind, you can become somebody. I am that kind of person. I can start any kind of company. What if I came looking for you and wanted you to be the president for that company? I want you to be capable people who can take on any task. That is why I push and train you so hard. This is a true father's love.

Testing Ground for Future Leadership

Ocean Church and CARP are a testing ground. I am looking for future leaders here. When you prove yourselves, you will then have to take care of international things. No one else is doing this with the youth of the world. In Russia and Red China there are already newspapers which have criticized me, so I know that I am making an impact. I know that they are even afraid of me if that is their reaction. Do I look fearful to you? Then why do the Communists fear me? To you, I am like a father, but to them I am a fearless and relentless fighter.

I want to design a martial arts program which is so tough that when members go through it, they will beg to come to Ocean Church. Then, when they leave martial arts and arrive on the boats, I will request that the same program be taught on the boats! They will be so shocked and want to jump into the ocean, but there will be a welcoming guest there: the shark. The shark can take care of you very well. No problem. Then, what would you do? Would you jump in, or would you survive and really learn martial arts once and for all? That's the kind of training I want you to have in life.

Cuba is right around the corner. Ocean Church may have a confrontation with them. You may be harassed by them. You have to be prepared for that. In Japan, when we made a declaration against communism we also prepared thirty gun shops around the country. We gave them a direct message. "If you come out to fight we will defend ourselves." These guns are just air rifles, but they can at least stop someone if need be. We had to do at least that, otherwise the Communists would resort to violence.

Anyone can buy these rifles and have them in their homes. The Japanese government was really worried that open fighting would come about, but our goal is not to come out in violence. Our goal is to overcome the ideology of communism. However, people have to have self-defense if they are ever attacked. This makes the Communists think very hard. They didn't dare to come out in violence, not even one time. Finally, the police in Japan said, "Reverend Moon is a wise man. He made a great strategy to stop the Communists from street violence."

In the meantime, we have been making an ideological offensive against communism in every CARP campus. Communist theory has no comparison with Unification teaching. They tried to win on the Japanese college campuses by debating, but they lost to the point of humiliation. Our truth was so compelling and so clearly beyond theirs. Also, our Japanese members worked so much harder than they did. Finally, they could only resort to their own bottom line. They came at us with violence. They wanted to take to the streets and fight and intimidate us. Often they charged and attacked our CARP members. We stood up to that. We never wanted to attack first, but absolutely we defended against their attack. The Japanese CARP members studied the best Korean martial arts and they were ready to die. Many of them were attacked, but they defended themselves.

Don't you think that American CARP needs that? Wherever you go, communism is the same. If you aren't prepared they will attack you and hurt you. Don't wait until then to say, "Oh, we should have been ready." Then it's too late. Without a deep resolve, you cannot fight for the sake of God's will. This is what I am teaching the members. Look at us: only one theological school is teaching martial arts and that is our own theological school at Barrytown.

You cannot go on unless you realize that this is a life and death matter. The American government is pushing me down. Fine, let them try. The time will come when the senators and governors will convey their deepest apologies to me. I am going on in spite of everything they do to me. No matter what hits me, I go on and even grow larger and larger. This is true of Unification Church. No matter what, it will never be crushed. Do you have that inner resolve? If so, Unification Church will go on forever.

The Era of Video Education

This summer, the Blessing for 2,100 couples occurred. I want every couple to be a success, a champion for God. Should you follow me or ignore me? If you don't go this way, who will suffer? I am not going to be the one to suffer in the ultimate sense. However, you will suffer greatly if you don't fulfill. I know that so well and that is why I am so serious to instruct you about the Blessing. Anyone who doesn't take me seriously will end up following those who do. I am not a "maybe" person. There is no such thing with me as "maybe so." I am the truth. You have to clearly know that.

In Madison Square Garden, there were more than 2,000 couples, more than 4,000 people walking upon the platform and dedicating themselves. These people were not brainwashed; they were intelligent and serious people. What can America think about me? They have to consider me more seriously; they have to consider us more seriously. Actually that battle is over. People can see so clearly that our ideal is truly great. Our marriages have a serious responsibility to uphold this ideal. When people watched the Madison Square Garden event they were deeply moved; they felt something great had happened. We can put that on tape and show it without sound. People can watch in silence. I think that will be more effective. Just by watching our marriage, people can understand what we are all about. You don't need to explain what is going on, if they are sensitive people. You Blessed couples should have a tape of this wedding in your Home Church home. You can show this tape to everyone in your area. They will watch and look at you very differently after that. You can become very popular and in demand. People will even want to pay you to see the video.

American people will view that tape and become so intoxicated that they will feel as if they are living in a dream. When they finish watching, they will wake up from that beautiful dream and they will become positive towards you. They will think, "What wonderful people these young Moonies are. They are the hope of the world." You should keep a video of your wedding at least for your own sake and for your children's sake.

Apart from theology, this is a great gift to America. Everyone who finds out that you are a Moonie will want to see the tape of your wedding. They will be so curious. Then, they will see you, your spouse and your family and when they see how you began they will have tears in their eyes. Their own families will be in such a state.

You know, almost one half of American families are breaking apart. They will see your family and want to stay with you.

The Moonie couple will be the showcase of the model family. In front of every Moonie home should be a big flagpole with a flag twice the size of a normal American flag saying, "Moonie couple lives here." The pro-Moonie relatives will have a flagpole too saying, "Moonie relatives live here." Then, when people come to visit you, you can first show them your wedding tape. After they are completely intoxicated, they will just sit there. Then you can show them a six- hour tape with all the contents of Divine Principle.

People are so curious in Japan about what the Moonies are doing that they now pay to come to our video centers. Most of them are young people and intelligent college students. They know that the future is vital, so they want to study a new idea and see if it is connected to the future. We made over 1,200 tapes and these can be watched at any time. Every month, over 100 people are signing membership. I want this to increase ten-fold, so the Japanese members are making 12,000 tapes and showing them all day and night.

When this project first began, Mr. Furuta who was then president of Happy World said to me, "It's impossible and will cost millions of dollars." Then I said, "Do it!" Somehow they found a way to do it, and after trying it for one year, Mr. Furuta came back to me and said, "You were absolutely right and now we are gaining 100 members each month."

Ocean Church you have to realize how to do this. All you have to do is set the tradition. Once there is a foundation, anyone can inherit the way to success. CARP members, you should create video centers with an entire curriculum. Great teachers and artists will come to us and we will help them express their ideas on tape. We can get the highest quality people and create an entire curriculum from them; we can educate young people in America in every field...business and philosophy, music and religion; any field.

Japan has shown the way. We will do this in America and then take it to Germany, England and all over the world. People can educate themselves in any area of their interest. The top scholars can teach any interested person directly. Even poor people can get a degree from a university. After taking a video course, they can go to the university and take an exam and earn their degree that way.

In order to do that, we have to create cable and broadcast television. Through satellite courses we can educate anyone in the world. Initially it may be hard to attract attention to this kind of education, but eventually people will line up to come. We can serve the entire world in this way. Thousands of people can earn their degrees this way, satellite degrees.

The Standard of a Champion

I am a very different kind of man. My mind is very different isn't it? Do you want to spare me or use me all up while I am here with you? I am getting older. You don't want to spare me? All right then, we need a spare tire for when I am all used up. You have to become Reverend Moon's spare tire. That's only fair isn't it? I want you to become a "spare" of me.

You really are different people now aren't you? You Americans look and see differently than other Americans, because your vision is for the whole world. Because of your connection of heart all over the world, people will want to come and work with you. You watch and you will see it happen. Maybe now you don't realize how you are connected, but because of me, you are linked, hooked together all over the world.

I didn't set out to be a famous person. I would rather be hidden behind the scenes, but year by year I have attracted the attention of the world. When I go fishing in Provincetown, people are looking everywhere for Reverend Moon and asking, "Where is he?" Usually, I'm right there and they don't know that it's me. That's different from you isn't it? You Americans like to show up and be seen. You really love to be in front of the television camera. It is quite the opposite for me. I enjoy it when people don't even recognize me.

What if I offered an exclusive interview? Would they jump on that or ignore me? You are right. People are just dying to find out about me. There are people asking Colonel Pak all the time for some way to interview me. People are just dying to interview Reverend Moon. One person was just begging Colonel Pak to get an interview with me. She works for an internationally famous magazine. When I said, "No," and Colonel Pak relayed that to her, she just replied, "Well, I understand." So far, Colonel Pak has refused many magazine editors already. They never get angry, they understand. They sense that I am not that kind of person. What is the speediest form of transportation in the world today? You say "jet, rocket, Apollo and Concorde." That's fine, but then, you Unification members should be 100 times as fast. How can you do that? With spiritual, mental speed. They can go to the moon one time. In that amount of time, you can go back and forth ten times. If they learn one thing, you learn 100 things. If they lecture one hour, you lecture ten hours. If they work or run for one hour, then you work and run for ten hours.

You look at the seasoned fisherman and say, "He is catching more fish than I am." Well then, determine to go beyond him in three years' time.

Look at him and say, "You work during the day; I'll work day and night." Say to yourself, "I'll go beyond the record that anyone set; I'll set the new record." Work more hours and do more things than the other fishermen. In that way, build up for three years and then you will overtake anyone. Eventually, everyone will come and look at you.

In the same way, I came to America and said, "I will love America more than any other American ever has. I will love America more than George Washington." Then I had to think seriously, "How can I be superior to such a man?" My answer was that I can teach young Americans why they should love America. I can teach them the spiritual significance of their lives. I can teach them the will of God. I can teach them the mission of this nation.

I can do this in a systematic and organized way. I shall restore the youth of this nation. I determined I would do this. Not even George Washington thought of these things. No matter who has set the record in the past, I have determined to break that record in serving America. When I came here I traveled by car on the highway and went to each state. I went through all fifty states without a break, dedicating holy grounds. After that, I returned to many of those states and spoke to the public. Throughout the speaking tour, I traveled without stopping and pushed myself to exhaustion many times. All the speaking campaigns were like that.

Ocean Church is not a random whim. I have a vision for America and Ocean Church plays an integral and important part in that. My mind is very deep. Everything that I do has a purpose which covers thousands of years. When Allen Hokanson gets in the New Hope and drives, he has a purpose, but when I take the New Hope out my purpose is much wider and greater.

No matter who set the record in the past, I am determined to break it. On that foundation I have begun and made the American movement. Do you believe that I truly love America more than anyone else in its history? If I go to the spiritual world, will I receive guidance from George Washington, or will George Washington come to me and receive guidance from me? If that is the case, the President today is in the same situation.

The Lonely Position of True Parents

Do you think that I live inside the house looking at trees and birds all day long? Do you think that's my way of life? I want you to know that those people who lived rich and carelessly are in a completely different position in the spiritual world. They are deeply ashamed. When you review my life, you will see a life of deep suffering. My standard has been incredible, going beyond poverty and pain. I have suffered every humiliation possible, but my mind was never changed from loving God.

I have never taken comfort, even in East Garden. Instead I have used this place like all the others, as a place to shed tears. Constantly. You have never known this; however, throughout my life I have wept and wept for God, and God knows. God knows precisely how Reverend Moon has lived. Therefore, even when I die, God will preserve a shrine for me. God will never forget what I have done all my life for him.

You've been destined to meet me. When you met me you felt something. That is an invisible tie. It is because God knows about me. Still, I am teaching new things every day The leaders have known me for twenty or thirty years. Even so, every day I have new ideas, new material for them. I am still a mystery for them. You think they know me and are accustomed to meeting me every day, but this isn't so. They are almost fearful to meet me because they don't know what I will do next. They still don't know exactly what I think. You like me, but even if you feel close, you don't feel completely familiar with me. You also feel some dignity, some awesome power within me. I live in this house as a lonely man. No one truly knows me. Not even Mother or the children.

So, if I instruct you, don't take me lightly. The Japanese members know not to take me lightly, but the Americans haven't found that out yet. The Japanese follow without question and this is a great strength. This is fidelity. Many people have criticized what I did in Korea and Japan. They criticized me for taking so much from Korea and Japan and using it all for the sake of America. They didn't understand why I did that. After all these years, the vision has begun to take shape and form. Now, people are seriously looking at my work and they are truly awed. Christian scholars and theologians just shake their heads in disbelief. Our vision is so great.

Don't you really want to know about me and be close to me? Then you have to walk a very rare and unusual way of life. You have to follow my instructions and walk a narrow way of life. You have a destiny. Now, many very famous scholars are asking the leaders, even the members, if they can see Reverend Moon. How about you? Do you have that same desire? Do you want to meet with me often? Have you ever thought, "I am not worthy to receive direction from him. I shouldn't be in that position. People more prepared than I should be here. How honored I am." Have you ever thought about that?

Have you thought deeply in the middle of the night, looking at the moon, or in the early morning when the sun is just rising? Have you ever looked out over the ocean? Have you thought about your position, your destiny? Have you ever thought, "I am so special to be connected directly to True Parents. I can receive instruction and direction from them." Have you ever thought that the entire universe is envying you?

How much honor have you felt working for me? What about the disciples who worked for Jesus? At the time of Jesus, the people could not receive it, so Jesus could not teach the Principle. The disciples were uneducated men. They didn't know anything; they just felt something from Jesus and they tried to follow. They didn't even know how to help Jesus make any kind of foundation. He died truly alone. Completely alone.

Peter was his chief disciple. He was an unlearned fisherman, an almost primitive person, but today everyone honors him as a saint. You are the seminary graduates. Are you going to be less than Peter? If Jesus had left even one place in the Bible, just one word, two words actually, "True Parents," I would not have suffered as much.

If Jesus had taught in the Bible somewhere, even a little bit, about the fall of man, how the fall happened and how sin crept in, I would not have had to suffer as much. Now, 2,000 years later, it's an entirely new message. Today, I am teaching the way of life. People are reading my message and it will be the same message for those who come 2,000 years later from now. It will not only make sense for them, but it will truly be their "blood and sweat," their way of life. That's the standard I am teaching today.

Have you ever thought of that? You often say, "Oh, Father, you are always saying and teaching strange things." Naturally that is so, because I am speaking to an audience that will be here 2,000 years later. I am thinking, "even if I am in the middle of the mission and I work so hard that I drop dead, I will not regret it." How about you? Are you thinking like that? Do you have that determination?

Do you understand now? In particular, do you seminary graduates understand? You have a special privilege and responsibility. I want you to set and keep the record for the movement. You have to work more than average people. The time will come when I will go, and afterward, each one of you should record your own "Acts of the Apostles." You are deeply indebted in the sight of God. For three years I paid extra attention to the seminary. Almost every day I was there. I attended to almost every detail. Every extra moment I could find the time, I went to the seminary. That three year period of time is over and I have consummated my mission to the seminary.

I am never irresponsible toward you, but you are irresponsible for Ocean Church, irresponsible for CARP. As leaders, if you think nothing about the mission, you are unacceptable to God. If you just do everything that you want to do and then think about the mission, that's not acceptable to me; it's not acceptable to God. For twenty- four hours a day, I think of nothing but the mission.

You don't need any further message. You have the message. Every ounce of energy that comes out of your body and soul, invest that into your mission whether it be Ocean Church, CARP or Master Marine. Don't you think it's important? I am not tired. Every time my legs start to hurt, I scold my own body saying, "You leg, how can you complain? How can you not follow me? I will disown you! You have to help me do God's will." I push myself forward like this, sometimes I even hit my own legs.

I push to go out every day on the ocean. When the engine breaks down, I am disappointed, but feel that for some reason God wants me to stay on shore for that day. Then I search for that reason. That is the only way for me, but for you, sometimes without any reason, you just want to stay on the shore and take a rest and nap. My conscience will not allow that for myself.

The Extraordinary Course of True Parents

Do you want to follow me? Do you want to become a companion of the True Parents? Yes or No? "Yes." So when you go up to the spiritual world, everything will be shown. Nothing will be hidden. Therefore, what do you think? Do you want to be ashamed for eternity or proud? Then do something. Do something that no one else will duplicate. Do something unique. Do something that others cannot imitate. What kind of leader am I when I push seminary students to achieve the highest level of academic studies and then, after graduation, send them out on a boat in the ocean?

It seems crazy. Why do I do this? I want you to know those fishermen, dock workers and crewmen. Among those men are some strong patriots. I love America and I love the world. I want you to become like that: strong men who love their country and love the world. Then you will become teachers and you will restore the people in that field.

I don't want all of you to become fishermen for your entire life, but you have to reach into that realm of life and become teachers so that you can bring salvation to that area. You must become people who have a truly loving heart for these people. You must be one in heart, brothers and sisters centered on God, with the fishermen and workers in the coastal cities. What's wrong with that?

Sometimes I go out on a boat and there is no bathroom. After several hours I have to pass water and there is no place to go. I simply have to do that, even if others are on the boat. That's embarrassing in one way. I know that, but I myself have to walk ahead of you. I have to go first the way you have to go, to be a public person. By doing so, I am teaching the example and laying down the path. Don't worry and don't complain. Even if you are in a situation someday where you become naked and have to pass your stool in public, don't do it with shame. You have a great destiny and you will fulfill something. You have to do everything with dignity.

The saints in the spiritual world will then look down on you and they will acknowledge you as a serious and holy person. So when you pass your stool in a small boat on the sea, all your ancestors in the spirit world will look down and envy your position. They will say, "I wish I could go down there and experience that." Your descendants will also want to follow you and would buy their turn to go out on a small boat and somehow share that experience. In fact, you might have many people coming to your boat before the end of your life to do this thing and you might make a lot of money by charging a small fee to take them out. You are laughing, but in a way, this is no joke.

I can eat with my own fingers, without using a fork or spoon. I can eat out of my lap, using one hand to hold food and the other to eat with. It doesn't make a difference to me. If I have to do something like that to bring salvation to others, I wouldn't hesitate to eat out of my lap a million times. No matter what you think, my way of thinking is entirely different from yours. Do you want to think in a similar way to me? Do you want to make your thoughts parallel to my thoughts? When I landed in America in 1972, no one had heard of me, but I was determined that within three years I would turn this nation upside down, and then right side up. Millions of people have landed on this nation, but my first footstep was different. I planted my foot thinking, "No one else has ever come to this nation with my thinking and my mission. However, I'm going to do it and bring this nation to God."

If you had this same heart when you first went to the Ocean Church mission, Ocean Church would not be like it is today. If you listened to the weather report, you would know that it's rugged up in Gloucester, but calm down here in New York. Okay then, where do you want to go fishing? You have to develop your mind to at least think, "The East Coast is my area. I'm going to go up and down it and work every part of it." However you have to get there, find a way to get there. Fly by plane, fundraise for the money or just walk. Whatever you have to do, just get there. Then learn about that area, learn about the coast. Find out everything about the fish and how they are caught. Once you do that much, practice and improve every technique you learn. I do things so differently from you, because I think differently, see differently and hear differently. That's why my results are so different from yours. People say, "I cannot do it." I can never understand how people can say that. There is no such thing. If your life hung upon the one thing that you were doing, whatever it is, how would you do that? You would do it with desperation, if your life was in the balance. You would just apply yourself and give every ounce of yourself.

Do you follow what I am saying? My thinking is like this and far more. It is not ordinary thinking. When I arrived in New York, I took all the leaders to the top of the Empire State Building. I had just come to New York and didn't even know what was going on there. Yet, I told those leaders, "we will buy some of the major buildings in New York, maybe even this one." Within three or four years, we did indeed buy some large buildings. I even thought about buying the Empire State Building when the negotiations were going on, but it was too late for us at that time. However, another time will come. I know absolutely that "where there is a will, there is a way." I think through every problem, day and night, until I find the solution. I never let it go. My thinking is very different from yours.

What about you? What is changing within you? Did you just grow a beard and become different like that? Or did something change inside of you? If you really change inside, the result will show up. Where is it? What have you been doing? Well, your beards look very wonderful, outstanding. To me you look like Paul Bunyan. Did you put as much care into your boat? I would like to inspect and see which you love more, your beard or your mission. I dress in ordinary, simple clothes. I am ready to go to sea right now. I know that I was born for a unique destiny. I am going to live it out. What people say about me or do to me doesn't matter. I listen in one ear and let it go out the other. I am only thinking about fulfilling my destiny and completing my mission. That's all. That's how I think. Ocean Church is rare. There is no other organization like it in the world. Who created it? It is not that simple. Can you explain Ocean Church to others? Can you explain why it exists and its philosophy? I want to have a wives' program in Ocean Church. One day, I will announce that the wives will be the pilots for the boats. On that day, the husbands will have to train their wives. If they don't do that, their boat will be taken away from them. Anyway, these boats are not your boats. You are taking care of them, just as you would a church center. Unification Church has something of every variety. If you want something, send in to Unification Church for it. People around the world are beginning to see us like that. We should have a catalogue and if someone wants fisher women we will make them if we don't have them. You are Americans. I am Korean. You think, "Well, because Father is Korean he thinks like that." However, you should be even better than me here in America. This is your country. You are born here, your culture is here, your way of life is here. You should do more. You should break every record that I set here in America.

Shall we do it? "Yes." Well, are you just "yes" people or "deed" people? I cannot know just by talking this one day that everyone will do well. I cannot assume that. I want to have a closer look at you. The leaders of Ocean Church have been too good to you. They have been too kind and soft towards you. You need the "iron fist" method. This will bring you greater success, quicker success. You saw the movie, "An Officer and a Gentleman." That was really the "iron fist" method. I was sorry when I saw that, because I could have done so much more for that soldier than his sergeant did in that movie. That movie showed a great training method, but the morality was wrong. We have to go beyond that movie. Our training has to be more than the Marines, but our morality has to be as high as the saints.

So then, let us change from today and accomplish the mission completely. Thank you and may God bless you.

Master, Guests and Others

Sun Myung Moon
September 1, 1982
Belvedere
Translator-Bo Hi Pak

All of you have parents, and most have brothers and sisters. You also have a relationship with other relatives, your country and the world. We are born from our parents and we grow up in our parents' house. Where does that house belong? Every house is within a certain nation, and each nation is a part of the world. Those who know there is a spirit world also know that life continues there after this life on earth.

This cosmos we live in is vast, but it must have a center. We call that center God. We might say that God is the "super-center" of the entire creation, but under Him there are other centers. For instance, the earth has a certain center, as does the spirit world. Societies, nations and families also have their centers. The central figures on the different levels must have something in common.

If a person is asked what is his ultimate desire, normally he would reply that he wants to be in the best position, right on top. That is an innate human desire. Even if we are born in a humble place, we want to reach the highest level. There must be a way to get there. What is the shortest, most direct way to reach that goal? The shortest way is to go through the central figure. In your family, you go through your parents. In your nation, you go through the sovereignty.

Since you set out to reach that goal, the central figures must support you instead of blocking your way. If your family opposes your direction, they will try to block you head-on. But if your central figures are supporting you, it is like a tail wind helping you along. Your parents win push you to the national leader, your national leader will push you to the world, and the world leader will push you to the universe. Then you have no problem.

Suppose you went all the way to the top and became the central figure of the universe. No one would block you then. If God is the central figure of the universe, who is in a position to stop Him and refuse to allow Him to go through the family, nation, world and cosmos? The best way to get to the top is to make a relationship with the central figure. One should make some relationship with God.

We commonly talk about central figures in our church, but what is the definition of a central figure? He or she is the one who is the master of the house, whether large or small. The President of the United States is the master of this house of America. If the President wanted to visit the 70 million homes in the United States, would anyone refuse him? Normally, people would open their homes to him, and feel honored to have him. Is there any company or organization that would refuse to host him? The master of the house has freedom in every part of that house.

What is the role and responsibility of the central figure of the United States? He is responsible for everything happening within this country. He has to take care of whatever happens to the people of the United States. If something good happens, he rejoices with the people. If something bad happens, he tries to correct the situation so it won't happen again.

The central figure has a tough job trying to fulfill his responsibility and must work harder than anyone else. Although he may not want to see or hear some things, he must see and hear them because he has the responsibility to know everything about the situation. He cannot decide to take responsibility for the good things and blame others for the headaches. A good central figure lets others have the joy while he takes 'on the problems. A central figure who becomes a true master of the house doesn't make excuses and blame outside circumstances for his problems. He feels, instead, that he is not worthy of his responsibilities.

The person who can shed more tears and sweat in serving his own people is the good central figure. He must be the first person to shed tears, the first to sacrifice. If there is a need for sacrifice, even unto death, the central figure should be the one most willing to volunteer. This definition is true on every level, whether at work or in the family, the nation or the cosmos.

Everyone has a desire to go through the central figure, all the way to the top. What is the reason for getting to the top? Is it to escape hardship and sadness and only receive glory and wealth? The person who reaches the top must give and serve the same way be did on his way to the top. Then people will ask, "What's so good about getting to the top? If I'm going to suffer there, too, I might as well stay here!" It is important to know the value of getting to the top. If you are giving more and more on the horizontal level for the sake of the public, then something invisible is growing vertically as well. Therefore, you are gaining something.

In this universe there must be a perfect horizontal and perfect vertical line. If the earth is round, there isn't actually any "up" and "down." But from the Creator's point of view there must be some line, some standard somewhere. Human society has established certain reference points for measurement on the physical earth -- for instance, Greenwich Mean Time, or latitude and longitude. By the same token, there must be some standard in spiritual life. This central standard line must be established between two points of origin; then you can start to measure what is parallel to the central line. Once the central model is set, you can compare yourself and others to it.

The central line is unchangeable, so your relationship with the central vertical or horizontal line will determine your position and value. In relation to that absolute line, you can determine your own position and value, horizontally and vertically. What is in that central position? How about money? Power? Knowledge? Think about all the different kinds of people and cultures in the world. What kind of standard would no one complain against? Even if we excluded God, we could come up with nothing better than love as this standard.

You can't touch love or see it, so what's good about it? One thing is true -- when love starts to approach, even though you can't see it, your every sense strains in that direction. Your eyes, cars and hands reach out and your whole soul reaches in that direction.

In navigating the ocean a compass is needed which gives a point of reference so the location of the boat can be figured out. A boat may seem to be moving randomly on the ocean, but actually it is being steered according to dud one reference point. In that way the captain can always know where the boat is on the ocean.

Everything in our lives works like that. Every country has a constitution which is the center of all its laws. All the other laws will be set up according to that constitution. If a certain law doesn't parallel the constitution, it will have to be repealed. You can't convince anyone of the position of the United States unless they understand what is the central point of measurement.

In the realm of physics, scientists refer to many formulas which are like scales to measure and evaluate things. In our way of life, them must be an absolute central measure and formula by which all people can be evaluated. What is it? That formula must not change, even in a billion years. Some people have a simple answer: everyone else has to measure up to them! That's very convenient, isn't it? If you are the measure, then you can do whatever you wish.

Don't you think God foresaw the need for an absolute formula when He created mankind? God didn't want to be criticized for creating a formula that wouldn't work anymore after a thousand years.

What is absolute true love, then? It must be the kind of love that people everywhere can recognize and rejoice over. Absolute love has no limitation; it can travel anywhere and never tarnish or decrease in value. It must be welcomed by East, West, North and South. The movement of true love must be based on five absolute reference points at all times. Even if such movement is in the opposite direction, its ultimate aim is to connect to the reference point. Absolute love must have the kind of movement that always keeps in touch with the five reference points.

What if there is no movement and you are stationary instead? That means your position must be centered; in that way you maintain the four directions. Suppose love were a visible material; it would be totally round, and round objects must have a center. The distances from an four reference points to the center are equal; therefore, no one can complain or disregard it. Maintaining that relationship involves give and take and turning forever. This is what we mean when we speak of the ideal.

If you want to become the master of your house, what kind of master will you be? The master of love, or the master of money, power or knowledge? Do you women also want to become masters of love? Absolute love means freedom. After going through all the reference points, absolute love has no restrictions. It has absolute freedom to go everywhere. Absolute love will always lead you to the reference point. This is why you like absolute love: it brings you to the central points. You can go in any direction as long as absolute love takes you to those reference points.

Therefore, absolute love is universal. Within it everyone has every freedom and happiness. Absolute love can go through the tiniest hole. How can you go through the tiniest opening? Would freedom give you the power to do it? Can you take a vote on it? Absolute love is not confined or determined by democracy. You have to go through the form of true love. An effort is needed to thread something through a hole; it doesn't happen easily. However, the eye of love's needle is flexible; sometimes it gets bigger, sometimes smaller.

The important thing is that you don't give up. If you hit it right on the bulls-eye, the hole will get bigger and accommodate you; your whole body can go through! Maybe you think you will suffocate if you are inserted into that hole. Certainly courage is needed to go wherever true love goes. When you plunge in, you will discover that there is no suffocation but only more freedom opening up. What is marriage all about? It is a commitment, inserting yourself into a situation and not looking backward. There is no time to choose the color of thread; you just plunge in.

Will you break into pieces if you throw yourself in? Never. When you land, you will recognize that you are on God's territory where everything is prepared. It is a bold adventure. The most adventurous action in the entire world is the adventure of love. Once you determine the value and formula, you can measure what other people are doing. It doesn't matter where you travel in pursuit of true love-you will be natural and comfortable with white, black, or yellow people because true love is universal. There are all kinds of love. What about a love that only works with white people; would you like that? That is not universal love.

What are the principles of creating the vertical and horizontal lines of love? First, that love has to be needed by both God and man. God must be concerned about how the line is drawn. When does God want to start drawing that line in 1982, or 2000, or when? In the beginning God drew the line, but who else was there? The angels and then Adam and Eve, so God must have called a conference among them to talk about this. Should the line of love be relative to each one's situation, or the same for everyone? The situation common to all was absolute love.

Why should the vertical line come before the horizontal? No matter how straight you may think you're drawing your horizontal lines, unless you have a vertical reference point the whole thing can be tilted. The vertical line is your reference point for the horizontal line; they must intersect at a 90-degree angle. After having the central vertical and horizontal lines, we can draw any number of additional lines. Who should represent the vertical line -- man or woman? Maybe you will say I am anti-woman if I say it is man, but the Principle is not just my opinion. Even if you feel like crying, still you have to accept it! Without going through the Principle, you cannot be a landing base for absolute love.

There are many people in the world who never even think about this. There is only one place on this planet, here at Belvedere, where these things are being talked about. Almighty God in heaven knows everything already, so maybe He is dozing sometimes, but when I am speaking about true love at Belvedere, do you think God wakes up and takes notice? Are you interested too? Do you women feel good -- even though you may think you are oppressed here? I am pressing you down to push you into the land of absolute love.

The women's role is simple and easy, in a way; all you have to do is maintain a 90-degree line with men. Wherever men move, make a 90-degree line. Maybe you wish I hadn't let your husbands hear this, but men have their job as well. Their job is to parallel the central absolute line. Women are destined to follow men and be determined by their accomplishments. No matter how great a woman is, her destiny is determined by what her husband does. This is according to the Principle.

The man's job is to love the absolute God absolutely and also to love mankind absolutely. By doing so, he will parallel the vertical line. God will love that kind of man for eternity and protect him. It is in God's interest to have that kind of man prosper. God goes back and forth, up and down, to that dot of absolute love. That dot should rest upon the head of man.

Why are human beings the one species in the world that walks vertically? It is because we are spiritual creatures, connecting with vertical love. Therefore, men pursue the ideal and want to create big things and accomplish noble deeds. Many times women, because they tend to think more conservatively, don't like certain things men do. If a man wants to go away and do something crazy or adventurous, the women in his life usually try to stop him. If conservative women were in charge of the world, do you think technology would have developed this far, or would the oceans and outer space have been explored?

No matter how great you women are, you are compelled to follow the truth. By virtue of the fact that I am a man, I am in the position to appreciate you women. Our subject-object relationship is clearer than that between other men and me so what do I gain by giving you a hard time?

Would you be content with a tiny little accomplishment, or do you want a great one? If you want a great accomplishment, would you pull your husband back, or push him forward? If you pull him back, will you go up or down? You women must not have husbands who stay home at night just to keep you from complaining about them being out so much. Let your husband feel totally free to go and do anything that parallels the vertical line. Let him be confident that if he goes away for ten years, you will be there when he comes back. When he comes back after ten years, you may be living in a log cabin somewhere, but then you may eventually end up in the White House! Who knows what prominence he may bring to you? Do you want a henpecked husband who trembles in front of you, or a truly subjective, courageous and adventurous husband?

I spent the whole summer with Ocean Church members and gave them a tough time. They went to bed at midnight, and then were ready to go out again at 3 a.m. Maybe they weren't all that crazy about the ocean or thrilled to get up that early! But I am setting a standard, the vertical line, and if no one responds then there will be no horizontal line drawn at 90 degrees. Whether you like it or not, you have to apply yourself 100% to form a line perpendicular to the vertical. Anyone who makes that determination will prosper.

Coming to Belvedere at 6 a.m. is not easy. I know that 10 a.m. would be more convenient for you. But even if you don't like to come so early, you force yourself out of bed. Your being here sleepy is like being 60 degrees to the vertical, but it is better than nothing! Still it crosses the vertical line, and the vertical has something to do with you. However, if you did not respond at all, no matter how great the power of the vertical line, it couldn't do you any good. So you must apply yourself willingly.

There are two major differences between Westerners and Asians. Asians have a strong tradition of obedience, while Westerners are used to making their own choices. The misuse of freedom is prevalent in the West and that has brought great damage. The Western world can crumble very quickly under difficulties, but the Eastern civilization will decay only slowly. Also, the West has no way to recover once it crumbles, while the East has room to bounce back.

You will have freedom as long as you observe the absolute reference points. Then you can move in any direction; you can draw thousands of lines through the central point and they will be accepted. Patrick Henry proclaimed, "Give me liberty or give me death," but he wasn't talking about the misuse of freedom that we see in America today. Freedom according to the central reference point is different from license. Is my concept of freedom correct, or the secular concept we see Way? If you have every freedom except the freedom of love, your other freedoms have no value. 'Me ultimate application of freedom is determined by love.

Since the July 1 Blessing, I have been observing how the newly married couples have behaved. Actually, I have been detecting a bad smell from some people who seem to think they have graduated from the Unification Church. They think they don't have to worry anymore about doing God's will, but only about their own families. When you reflect on this principle, however, where is your vertical line? My general rule is that the wives should take over the responsibility for homemaking. Why is that? In that way your husband can go parallel to the vertical line in service to God and humanity.

A blessed couple can become one of two types. One will feel that no matter what, the vertical line comes first, and service to God and humanity is the law of their family life. Another type would focus on becoming parallel with each other, not the vertical line. Honestly ask yourself which type you are. Are you compromising with the vertical line? You know better than anyone where you are.

Some couples don't stop at worrying about getting an apartment and having a family. They go a step further and want the Church to support them, telling me that I should stop worrying about the restoration of the world and take care of them instead! I too am a family man; I have a wife and children, but still my primary mission is the vertical line assigned by God. I remember vividly how my first marriage did not work out because I would not compromise on this matter; I insisted on going with the vertical line. When my wife wanted me to worry about our situation instead, it could not work.

Nothing under the sun can keep me from following the vertical line -- serving God and humanity first. That is what has made me what I am today. If I had followed my first wife and been sympathetic to her and my child, I would not be here talking to you today. Because I sacrificed my life for God and humanity, great accomplishment could come. God knows why I made that sacrifice, and He has amply blessed me in return. That's why Mother and I could have great blessing in the form of 13 True Children.

You must become holy men and women who can be remembered by God. He remembers those who can go beyond their own suffering and put the mission and success of the dispensation first. Of course, He knows you need groceries in the house and your children need care. You women will move God's heart when He sees you in dire need but refraining from criticizing your husband. When He hears you saying, "Don't worry about me, Heavenly Father, but instead please bless my husband's efforts to do Your will," His heart will be melted. When you want to take responsibility for the family yourself so your husband can be free to work hard, God has to sympathize with you.

Your husband can succeed because of your prayer, and when he comes before God's throne, God will say, "Wait a minute. Where are your wife and children? They are the greatest ones." God will come down from His throne and bring you to His side and reward you first. God and your husband will stand together and bow down to you and your children who endured such sacrifice with a willing heart of devotion. That is the kind of wife and children I want.

The husband must be absolutely sure that he is suffering for the providence more than his wife and children are. That is the one criterion. If you are just enjoying yourself, that is no good. You must be enduring more for the sake of God and humanity. I chose that way of life and walked that path and I had the courage to do that because I knew the truth. I will not compromise. Even now I am totally committed to God and humanity, and I am sure I am receiving more persecution and working harder than anyone else. As long as I am doing this no power can destroy the Unification Church. I have already obtained the sign of the victor. Whether I will win or not, is not in question; it is already decided.

What kind of wives do you American women want to become? Your burden has actually become much heavier since you have married. Now you are bearing three crosses instead of one -- your husband's and your child's, plus your own. You may wonder what you will gain with all these extra tears and suffering, but behind you is the true love of God. No one can take that away from you. It is the true wife who can say to her husband, "Your job is to love True Parents and God. Go their way." Your husband should also be saying the same to you. When you get exhausted, still pursue true love. I have lived that way of life for years. At your age I lived exactly that way.

You know I love you, don't you? To me you are my children, so why should I put you through suffering like this? No parent would do that except for one reason: the only inheritance I can give you is true love, and in order to receive it you must know suffering. Once you have received that, you are truly free people. Wherever you go in the universe you shall be welcomed. Then you are participating masters of true love and have that authority. You can go in any direction to any central figure when you have true love, all the way up to God. Once you meet this criterion, you pass every test.

I look at Mother with this in mind. She is always concerned about my health. I am not a young man, and she worries when I'm out on the ocean all day. I understand her heart and I appreciate it, but at the same time, I must continue to move ahead with the providence. If Ocean Church will help the providence, I must continue to work until early morning.

At one point we were out at sea constantly for two days and nights, not returning to port at all, and I did not sleep for one moment. On the second night, members were sleeping beside their fishing poles. When I looked at them, I wondered whether I was committing a crime against them, but the key question was whether I did it for a selfish purpose. Since I did it for the sake of God's providence, I was helping them to become saints. They shall receive the blessing together with me. Therefore, you are not unfortunate people. You are the most fortunate for participating in this historical providence.

Still I am fighting my way along this road. Our legal battle is continuing and forces are trying to destroy me. But when I look back on my path, I see great accomplishments. Some day people of all colors of skin will come to respect me. Even as I was fighting the legal battle during the trial, I never abandoned the fundamental mission. For example, we accomplished several things-The Washington Times was begun, and we also held the historical Blessing of 2,075 couples at Madison Square Garden. From September 17, over 1,000 theaters will be showing the movie Inchon. All these works were conceived and carried out during my trial.

Everyone will wonder why I made Inchon; this is a question I want people to ask. Our critics will have a big headache! They indicted me and thought that was the end of it, but now they see our movie all over the country. In every respect, Inchon is a history-making movie. No film was ever re-made on location five times. This is the most expensive film in Hollywood's history. The most controversial fact is that I produced it. Why did a religious leader do this, Americans will ask. This film has one simple purpose: we want to make General MacArthur a hero for Americans. Young people today do not know who he was, or the true causes of World War II and the Korean War-how they started and progressed, and how they ended. By showing what a hero MacArthur was, a new spirit can come to America and the public can be educated about the providential significance of these wars.

Why did I do that, instead of some other moviemaker? First of all, it is because MacArthur loved God. The Inchon landing was an impossible strategic plan in a military sense. No sane general would normally have proposed or accepted it because the Inchon harbor has the world's highest and lowest tides in the course of one hour. That meant that within 45 minutes, 250 ships had to pass through the small channel into the harbor. It was an incredible impossibility. MacArthur could only do it with absolute faith in God. He believed and trusted that the Korean conflict was a holy war and that God would be with them. On that condition alone he came up with his plan and he offered it into God's hands.

Secondly, MacArthur loved mankind. Japan was the worst enemy of America in World War II, but after Japan was defeated, MacArthur worked hard to restore that nation. Out of his compassion he helped make the foundation for what Japan is today, Thirdly, MacArthur abhorred communism. Why? Because communism denies God and strips human beings of their dignity.

General MacArthur's spirit and my spirit are parallel, and I invested great amounts of energy to make this movie. With this film we can inspire America and awaken the people to the realities of communism. I'm sure that one thing is clear: this film will generate controversy. Let the demonstrators come! There will be conversations over breakfast and banquet table alike about this film Inchon and MacArthur. Some will be for it, some against it, but anyone who has not seen the movie cannot participate in the discussion. Wives will badger their husbands to go with them to see it!

Students in particular must see this film. In two hours they can learn about MacArthur's spirit. Their conversations will focus on the movie, pros and cons, about why they think MacArthur is a hero or not. I want to see such excitement coming from young people. Do you think we are wasting money in this endeavor? You fundraise for $5 or $10 at a time, so what do you think? Even at the cost of millions of dollars we must achieve this goal.

Gamblers in Las Vegas can lose millions of dollars overnight. But this is far greater than gambling -- it is a great adventure. Even if the movie doesn't recoup the investment we made, the money has been well spent for the sake of America and the posterity of this nation.

Why does my name receive top billing in the movie? From a secular, promotional point of view it is detrimental, but I still insisted. This movie has a historical purpose, not just for now but for the future. In a hundred or ten thousand years, the name of Reverend Moon will not vanish from history. When that movie is seen in the future my name will come first. History will remember that this film was made during my utmost persecution from the U.S. government. Even during the dirtiest fight, Inchon was made for the benefit of mankind. My spirit of victory over communism will remain on earth forever.

In a commercial sense, the easiest thing would be to leave my name out entirely. After the movie became a success, then we could talk about who produced it. This is pragmatic thinking. But my thinking is that we may not make money, and may even be set back financially, but if we don't put my name on it, this film will just disappear. Because Reverend Moon's name is on the film, it shall be immortal.

Right now people may be scornful of Inchon, but the more scorn we receive now, the more decoration we shall receive in the future. There are superstars in the movie, such as Sir Laurence Olivier and Terrence Young, the director. These people haven't protested the fact that Reverend Moon's name is listed first in the credits. Why should such big-name stars be silent about that? They know more than anyone else that the film is a product of Reverend Moon, not just financially but spiritually. Initially they protested when I wanted to make changes in the movie, but every time I did they could see the improvements. After five times, they were completely convinced of my capabilities. Even my suggestions on changes for the promotional posters were welcomed and praised by the Hollywood artists. Reverend Moon is a mystery man to these people.

Don't you women want your husbands to be more like me? I ask you that because it is exactly what I want to do -- mold your husbands into men who resemble me and live according to my standard. To do that job well, I need more than one or two years-I need at least 10 years. Both husband and wife need to be raised up in this manner, but which should come first? Therefore, perhaps I should take your husbands away from you for a while. Do you willingly offer him to me? You want me to train him in the fastest way possible, right? So you will all give me your husbands to train? No, thank you, I don't want that kind of burden! Are you men ready and willing to follow me? This is truly a wonderful day! You women are ready to give up your husbands so they can become more like me, correct? You may not like to have to, but you are willing-that is wonderful! Here you are, joyful, happy, laughing, even though you know you face hardships in the future. That is our wonderful way of life.

From now on, since you are part of a family unit, we might initiate special fundraising teams of wives. Even though people may oppose us and our activities, we can declare to the world, "We have a purpose and a goal. This is the way America will live, survive and prosper. Them is no other way. We have the ideology and way of life that will always protect us and our children. We are destined to prosper, without question. We shall not give in!" Is that right? "Right" means privilege, even authority.

What is the meaning of our topic, "Master, Guests, and Others"? By living this way of life, you will be respected and followed wherever you go, whether in Korea, Europe, or anywhere. All creation and all mankind want to be led by the person of true love, and they respect and admire that kind of person. Such a person is always selfless and conveys a parental attitude of love toward others. That is the ultimate formula we should accomplish.

Do you want to meet that kind of master, or do you want to become that kind of master yourself? To become one is not easy. In order to do that, you have to shed a lot of tears and sweat, suffering many backaches and leaches. Without enduring such difficulties, you can never become a master. The challenge to you men is great. When you hear my sermon this morning will you pursue your spouse, or God and the Church? Will you go together with me and resemble me? If you do that, you shall truly become a master, not just find a master.

So far I have talked about the master, but what is the definition of the guest? The master has one purpose, but guests can come for two different purposes. They either become indebted to the host, or they lift his burden. When you welcome a guest into your home, do not expect him to do anything for you or to help you. The guest is always a guest -- an outsider who comes and goes. People who come to visit you usually end up taking something from you, instead of bettering your situation. If you want to become a master, you need to look for a master and become his good follower. Do not look for a person in the position of guest. This doesn't mean that you should treat a guest harshly, but you shouldn't expect anything from him.

What about your physical parents? They are your guests, not hosts or masters. As blessed couples, you should be the hosts. Therefore, you should not be in a position to be influenced or dominated by them, but to influence them. We have to be very careful with any guests and give them a good impression. Do not talk too freely with them or you will create a problem. But if husband and wife want to talk together all night, that's all right because you are the host and hostess.

All others are what we might call strangers -- they cannot be trusted because they are unfamiliar to us. You have to know clearly how to distinguish between the three categories of master, guests and others and know exactly how to deal with them. I see the 2,075 Couples as representing the heart of Western civilization here in New York. The Blessing at Madison Square Garden is a historical event for all eternity, and through it you have entered the boundary line of God's territory. That boundary line is very important and clear.

Conclusion

I have described three categories to you -- master-or host and hostess -- guests, and others. The most important point to remember is that the vertical line penetrates three points -- top, center, and bottom. That vertical line is the beginning point for everything; that is God, husband and son. The horizontal line is where husband and wife and neighbor dwell. There is only one absolute reference point and it cannot be changed. For that reason, marriage in the sight of God means only one husband and wife. The law of love requires that husband and wife love each other and their children. Children must love their parents. By following this law, you always stay connected with the absolute reference point. Why should you all love God? By loving Him, everyone can be brought into harmony. That central vertical line becomes the axis of the universe.

The wife should always teach her children, "As much as I love your father, you must love him, too." Your practice of love will become their standard. The husband will say, "As much as I love your mother, you should love her, too." You can both say, "As much as we love God, you should love Him, too." You teach your children by example. That is the best and only way.

In that way you create a love center, and then the four-position foundation will truly come alive. The love between husband and wife is the core training to learn how to love God and children more. When the wife loves the children more than her husband, he should not be jealous; he should rejoice instead. If the wife loves God more than her husband, it is a poor husband who will complain. He should be grateful and call her a saint instead. The wife should also encourage her husband to love God more than her.

Setting that kind of example is your central responsibility. By loving God and your children more than your spouse, you shall find unity with the center. That is the original point for the ideal world of absolute love. It is the pride of the Unification Church that we are practicing this way of life. The purpose of creation and the will of God is to fulfill the heavenly four position foundation. We must dwell for eternity with God at the center.

Even if your husband were to die at an early age, you wives should transfer that tradition to your own children and it will continue. The same is true for you men. If God were here personally, He would say the same thing: love God and your children more than each other Then the vertical line will be the center of everything in your life.

This universal principle applies from God down to everyone. Wives live for the sake of God, husband and children. Husbands live for the sake of God, wife and children. The children live for the sake of God and parents. God lives for the sake of His children. This is the realm of total giving. Do you understand?

Concentrate on the central line and fulfill the ideal that you have been taught this morning. Become a master, a true host. Do you welcome it? Will you do it? Thank you very much. God bless you.