Byung Kyu Pak, 58, was born in Hampyung, Chunnam, Korea, to Bong Un and Yi Nuun Seo Pak. He married Young Ji Rhee, and they are the parents of three children. They are members of the Wandang Ward, Seoul Korea North Stake. Pres. Pak is serving as a member of the ward temple committee. He is a former temple president, regional representative, president of the Korea Pusan Mission, stake president, district president, and branch president. He has been working in the Church Educational System for the past 23 years.

Sister Pak was born in Hampyung, Chunnam, Korea, to Cheol Bum and Bok Ryae Kim Rhee. She is serving as a Relief Society teacher. She has also served as a Relief Society president and secretary, Primary president, temple matron, and served with her husband when he was mission president.

No burning bush, but Spirit burns brightly

 Date: 01/03/98
  BY BYUNG KYU PAK

Lord taught great lesson in another way    -  Byung Kyu Pak is president of the Missionary Training Center in Seoul, Korea. He and his wife, Young Ji Rhee Pak, are members of the Wondang Ward, Seoul Korea North Stake. He is a high priests group instructor.

SEOUL, KOREA -- Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. - Ex. 3:1-5

These verses remind me of a personal experience I had a few years ago.

There are two maple trees standing in front of the Seoul Korea Temple on either side of the front door. When fall comes and the leaves of those trees turn red, they look as if they are burning, especially under the landscape lighting at night. The sight of those “burning” maple trees reminded me of the burning bush in the above scripture.

From 1990 to 1993, I was blessed with the calling to serve in the Seoul Korea Temple with my wife. Naturally, during the time that I was serving in the temple, I could see those trees far more often than I had before. Seeing those “burning” trees that often gave me the desire to have an experience when I could hear the voice of the Lord.

One day while I was helping some patrons in the temple, the words of the hymn “Thy Spirit, Lord, Hath Stirred Our Souls” kept ringing through my mind. Especially the following phrase: “And feel thy nearness here below. No burning bush near Sinai.”

I pondered that experience. I had never doubted the truthfulness of the latter-day work, especially that of temple work. So I thought to myself that my desire was not appropriate. Maybe my attitude was that of seeking an additional sign.

However, the Lord has taught me in a different way. That was a great lesson to me.

I know that Moses was a prophet and that he spoke with God face to face. He led the people of Israel “through the Red Sea on dry ground.”

I love to read the Old Testament. It always helps me to be a better person and feel closer to Heavenly Father.

NEW TEMPLE PRESIDENT:  BYUNG KYU PAK 
 Date: 07/07/90

Byung Kyu Pak, 53, Young Dong Ward, Seoul Korea Young Dong Stake, called as president of the Seoul Korea Temple, succeeding Pres. Spencer J. Palmer. Pres. Pak’s wife, Young Ji Rhee Pak, will serve as temple matron. Pres. Pak is a Church Educational System area director. He is a regional representative, former mission president, stake president, high councilor, district president and branch president. He received a bachelor’s degree from Foreign Language College of Korea and master’s degree from Chunam University. He was born in Hampyung, Korea, a son of Bong Woon Pak and Yi Nyum Seo. Sister Pak is a visiting teacher leader and Primary president; she has been a Relief Society president, president’s counselor and teacher. She was born in Hampyung, Korea, a daughter of Cheol Bum Rhee and Bok Rye Kim. Pres. and Sister Pak are parents of three children.

LDS Church News, Deseret News.  1988-1998. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Publishing Company