Sun Myung Moon was born on January 6, 1920 in Sangsa-ri, a small rural village in North Pyongan Province in northern Korea.

As a boy, he studied at a Confucian school and was a keen observer of the natural world. Around 1930, his parents became fervent Christians and the young Sun Myung Moon became a Sunday School teacher. At that time, Japan ruled Korea and the Korean people were subjected to forty years of humiliation and cruelty.

Korea in the 1930s was known as a land of fervent Christian faith. Even today, it is well known that Korea is home to the largest Protestant churches in the world. When Reverend Billy Graham visited Korea, he was so impressed by the vitality of her churches that he predicted that one day Korea would send missionaries to revive the West.

Before World War II, the center of Christian activity was Pyongyang, which was called the "Jerusalem of the East." Among the spirit-filled churches were many with strong messianic expectations and some of these received revelations that the Messiah would be born in Korea.

From "Hometown," Chongpadong Church, Seoul, Korea, February 12, 1989.

The basic things we learn are in our hometown.

I had many brothers and sisters and lots of relatives. We had many beautiful customs.

For example, when one relative married and brought his bride to the village, for many days the family members would take turns according to their closeness to the relative to give feasts. So for many days I could go around without feeling hungry. The hospitality and happiness people displayed was beautiful.

I can see now that the things I learned with my family and my relatives and neighbors gave me the education and strength to build up the Unification movement. You cannot imagine how much I long to return to my hometown.

This desire was very strong in me even from very early on when I went to school in Seoul. In my first summer vacation I naturally longed to go home but I didn't. I denied the longing and purposely did not go home.

I didn't eat lunch but brought food to the poor people in order to share their suffering. I didn't return to my hometown in order that I could share the loneliness of people and of God.

When I doubt people, I feel pain.

When I judge people, it is unbearable.

When I hate people, there is no value to my existence.

Yet if I believe, I am deceived.

If I love, I am betrayed.

Suffering and grieving tonight, my head in my hands.

Am I wrong?

Yes, I am wrong.

Even though we are deceived, still believe.

Though we are betrayed, still forgive.

Love completely even those who hate you.

Wipe your tears away and welcome with a smile

Those who know nothing but deceit

And those who betray without regret.

Oh Master! The pain of loving!

Look at my hands.

Place your hand on my chest.

My heart is bursting, such agony!

But when I loved those who acted against me I brought victory.

If you have done the same thing, I will give you the crown of glory