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Unlocking the Chinese Realm: Apostle David O. McKay and Latter-day Saint Encounters in East Asia, 1852-1921
"Unlocks a spiritual and academic feast of story and soul, history and insight regarding China and her neighbors." — R. Lanier Britsch"The history of the Church in China is one of the most important and least well-known chapters in Latter-day Saint history. . . . Highly recommended!" — John Hilton III"An indispensable volume that gives a wonderful examination of key past events that shaped subsequent direction and efforts in the Chinese realm." — Dr. Po Nien (Felipe) Chou
In Unlocking the Chinese Realm, historian Reid L. Neilson offers a comprehensive account of Latter-day Saint early encounters with China and its surrounding regions. Spanning from Brigham Young’s 1852 call for missionaries to Hong Kong through Apostle David O. McKay’s 1921 dedicatory prayer in Peking, the book traces nearly seventy years of evolving religious aspiration, cultural encounter, and global vision. Drawing on diaries, reports, and periodical accounts, Neilson illuminates how McKay’s prayer symbolically “turned the key” to China, consecrating the nation and its people to receive the restored gospel while reflecting broader Western attitudes toward the East at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Blending biography, theology, and global religious history, Unlocking the Chinese Realm situates McKay’s mission within a longer narrative of Latter-day Saint engagement with East Asia—from early Hawaiian and Californian contact with Chinese migrants to later apostolic rituals of dedicating lands in preparation to share the gospel. With detailed analysis and rare archival sources, Neilson reveals how McKay’s 1921 act echoed across generations of church leaders and members, shaping the faith’s hopes for China and its diaspora well into the modern era. This deeply researched study opens new perspectives on the Church’s international expansion and the sacred geography of global Christianity.
In Unlocking the Chinese Realm, historian Reid L. Neilson offers a comprehensive account of Latter-day Saint early encounters with China and its surrounding regions. Spanning from Brigham Young’s 1852 call for missionaries to Hong Kong through Apostle David O. McKay’s 1921 dedicatory prayer in Peking, the book traces nearly seventy years of evolving religious aspiration, cultural encounter, and global vision. Drawing on diaries, reports, and periodical accounts, Neilson illuminates how McKay’s prayer symbolically “turned the key” to China, consecrating the nation and its people to receive the restored gospel while reflecting broader Western attitudes toward the East at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Blending biography, theology, and global religious history, Unlocking the Chinese Realm situates McKay’s mission within a longer narrative of Latter-day Saint engagement with East Asia—from early Hawaiian and Californian contact with Chinese migrants to later apostolic rituals of dedicating lands in preparation to share the gospel. With detailed analysis and rare archival sources, Neilson reveals how McKay’s 1921 act echoed across generations of church leaders and members, shaping the faith’s hopes for China and its diaspora well into the modern era. This deeply researched study opens new perspectives on the Church’s international expansion and the sacred geography of global Christianity.
482 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
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About the author
Reid L. Neilson
41 books6 followersReid Larkin Neilson is the managing director of the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church / Mormons) since 2010. In 2015 he additionally became an Assistant Church Historian and Recorder.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 25, 2026
Although this book is full of history of China and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, I found it to be very interesting. I learned many facts I didn’t know before. I think it is a wonderful resource to keep reviewing. I received an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The history of the Church’s global mission is often viewed through the lens of individual apostolic journeys, few of which loom larger than David O. McKay’s 1921 world tour. In his latest work, Unlocking the Chinese Realm: Apostle David O. McKay and Latter-day Saint Encounters in East Asia, 1852–1921 (Greg Kofford Books, 2026), Reid L. Neilson offers a topical and deeply researched examination of the Church’s early efforts to establish a foothold in China.
Neilson has spent over two decades publishing on the Church in the Pacific and Asia, and this volume feels like the culmination of that long-term scholarly investment. Unlike a documentary history, this is it is a richly illustrated, topically organized narrative that situates the Latter-day Saint experience within the broader context of Western attitudes toward the "Orient" at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Biography vs. Specialty Study
Last year, readers were introduced to a broad view of McKay’s international influence in the biography Building a Global Zion: The Life and Vision of David O. McKay. Given the proximity of these publications, a central concern for many will be the degree of overlap. While both books necessarily cover McKay’s 1921 world tour, they serve distinct purposes. Where Building a Global Zion provides the wide-angle lens of a full life, focusing on McKay’s overall vision for a globalized faith, Unlocking the Chinese Realm functions as a high-powered zoom lens focused on the dedication of China for the preaching of the gospel in 1921. Neilson contextualizes the 1921 trip not just as a biographical milestone, but as the climax of a specific, multi-generational effort to engage with East Asia that echoed into the years that followed.
A Topical Deep Dive
Rather than a strictly linear travelogue, Neilson organizes the book topically. This allows him to explore the "pre-history" of McKay’s visit in satisfying detail. One chapter focuses on the 1852 mission to Hong Kong—a fascinating, if difficult, early attempt at missionary work. Others look at the mission to Japan and Alma O. Taylor’s crucial fact-finding mission to China. Because of this structure, there is an occasional but necessary chronological overlap, which Neilson manages well to ensure the reader understands the shifting geopolitical and ecclesiastical landscapes of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The standout contribution of this volume is Neilson’s analysis of the apostolic ritual of dedicating lands. For many members, the dedication of a country is a familiar concept, but rarely has its history and theological significance been treated with such rigor. Neilson’s chapter on the history of dedicatory prayers is a masterclass in ritual studies, exploring how these acts served to symbolically "turn the key" and consecrate a nation and its people for the reception of the gospel.
In Neilson’s telling, David O. McKay’s 1921 prayer in Peking (Beijing) was not an isolated event but the culmination of decades of preparation. Neilson illuminates how McKay, as a young and vibrant apostle, viewed his mission as a preparatory act—consecrating the "Chinese Realm" in a way that resonated through subsequent generations of Church leaders.
Visual and Historical Richness
The book is richly illustrated, providing a visual dimension that makes the historical accounts of Taylor, McKay, and their contemporaries feel immediate. Neilson’s work is particularly effective in showing how these early encounters were shaped by broader Western attitudes toward the East, and how those attitudes evolved into the modern era: Neilson does not shy away from the broader cultural context of the era, examining how McKay and his contemporaries reflected—and sometimes challenged—the prevailing Western attitudes toward East Asia. The book is particularly valuable for its concluding insights into the decades following 1921, tracing how the "key" McKay turned continued to shape the Church’s hopes for China and its global diaspora into the modern era.
The final chapters of the book move beyond 1921, briefly tracing the legacy of McKay’s dedicatory prayer through the subsequent decades and into the present day through both subsequent dedicatory prayers in Asia and missionary work in portions of China. This gives the book a sense of continuity, showing how the foundations laid in the early 1900s still resonate in the Church’s current relationship with China and its global diaspora.
Conclusion
Unlocking the Chinese Realm is a rigorous and engaging study. It provides the specific historical scaffolding that a general biography cannot, making it a valuable companion for anyone seeking to understand the details of the Church's entry into East Asia. Reid Neilson’s decades of research have resulted in a work that is both intellectually satisfying and an enjoyable read for those interested in the unfolding of the international Church.
Neilson has spent over two decades publishing on the Church in the Pacific and Asia, and this volume feels like the culmination of that long-term scholarly investment. Unlike a documentary history, this is it is a richly illustrated, topically organized narrative that situates the Latter-day Saint experience within the broader context of Western attitudes toward the "Orient" at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Biography vs. Specialty Study
Last year, readers were introduced to a broad view of McKay’s international influence in the biography Building a Global Zion: The Life and Vision of David O. McKay. Given the proximity of these publications, a central concern for many will be the degree of overlap. While both books necessarily cover McKay’s 1921 world tour, they serve distinct purposes. Where Building a Global Zion provides the wide-angle lens of a full life, focusing on McKay’s overall vision for a globalized faith, Unlocking the Chinese Realm functions as a high-powered zoom lens focused on the dedication of China for the preaching of the gospel in 1921. Neilson contextualizes the 1921 trip not just as a biographical milestone, but as the climax of a specific, multi-generational effort to engage with East Asia that echoed into the years that followed.
A Topical Deep Dive
Rather than a strictly linear travelogue, Neilson organizes the book topically. This allows him to explore the "pre-history" of McKay’s visit in satisfying detail. One chapter focuses on the 1852 mission to Hong Kong—a fascinating, if difficult, early attempt at missionary work. Others look at the mission to Japan and Alma O. Taylor’s crucial fact-finding mission to China. Because of this structure, there is an occasional but necessary chronological overlap, which Neilson manages well to ensure the reader understands the shifting geopolitical and ecclesiastical landscapes of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The standout contribution of this volume is Neilson’s analysis of the apostolic ritual of dedicating lands. For many members, the dedication of a country is a familiar concept, but rarely has its history and theological significance been treated with such rigor. Neilson’s chapter on the history of dedicatory prayers is a masterclass in ritual studies, exploring how these acts served to symbolically "turn the key" and consecrate a nation and its people for the reception of the gospel.
In Neilson’s telling, David O. McKay’s 1921 prayer in Peking (Beijing) was not an isolated event but the culmination of decades of preparation. Neilson illuminates how McKay, as a young and vibrant apostle, viewed his mission as a preparatory act—consecrating the "Chinese Realm" in a way that resonated through subsequent generations of Church leaders.
Visual and Historical Richness
The book is richly illustrated, providing a visual dimension that makes the historical accounts of Taylor, McKay, and their contemporaries feel immediate. Neilson’s work is particularly effective in showing how these early encounters were shaped by broader Western attitudes toward the East, and how those attitudes evolved into the modern era: Neilson does not shy away from the broader cultural context of the era, examining how McKay and his contemporaries reflected—and sometimes challenged—the prevailing Western attitudes toward East Asia. The book is particularly valuable for its concluding insights into the decades following 1921, tracing how the "key" McKay turned continued to shape the Church’s hopes for China and its global diaspora into the modern era.
The final chapters of the book move beyond 1921, briefly tracing the legacy of McKay’s dedicatory prayer through the subsequent decades and into the present day through both subsequent dedicatory prayers in Asia and missionary work in portions of China. This gives the book a sense of continuity, showing how the foundations laid in the early 1900s still resonate in the Church’s current relationship with China and its global diaspora.
Conclusion
Unlocking the Chinese Realm is a rigorous and engaging study. It provides the specific historical scaffolding that a general biography cannot, making it a valuable companion for anyone seeking to understand the details of the Church's entry into East Asia. Reid Neilson’s decades of research have resulted in a work that is both intellectually satisfying and an enjoyable read for those interested in the unfolding of the international Church.
March 25, 2026
Unlocking the Chinese Realm: Apostle David O. McKay and Latter-day Saint Encounters in East Asia, 1852-1921
By Reid L. Neilson
Reviewed by Adam Oliver Stokes
There are a plethora of resources on the history of the Latter-Day Saint church in North America. Church history is something that the church itself has done almost since its very inception (e.g. Joseph Smith’s history in the Pearl of Great Price) and that it does very well. However, as with all things, there are gaps and holes in even the best of endeavors. This is certainly true in regards to church history in non-Western countries and realms.
It can be argued that while there is a rich history of LDS missionary activity in these places, few historians or scholars have attempted to provide a balance account of such history in a way that is accessible to the general public. Hence, Neilson’s work here on the Chinese branches of the church was a welcome corrective. I was initially attracted to the book because of its mention of President McKay who in my own personal opinion is one of the most fascinating and significant figures in the history of the church. While McKay and his mission to China is indeed the focus of the book, I found Neilson’s project very informative in regards to Chinese LDS history in general and in providing a vivid picture of Chinese culture and society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Neilson is also to be commended for his honesty and bluntness in discussing LDS missions in Asia. He notes victories and significant moments-most notably the dedicatory prayer given by McKay which served to inaugurate 20th century LDS efforts to evangelize among the Chinese. At the same time, he also discusses the setback and failures on the part of McKay and his missionary partner Hugh Cannon. He notes similar difficulties in efforts undertaken before McKay’s era with the first LDS missionary to Hong Kong in the 19th century, James Lewis. It would have been very easy for Neilson to have created hagiography about his subject matter and it can be argued that earlier treatments of McKay and his work in Asia have done exactly this (I am thinking of one of my favorite LDS movies dealing with the life of McKay) yet this is a tendency the author deliberately and ultimately avoids.
Unlocking the Chinese Realm ends with an update on the current status of the church in China noting that the Chinese government has placed considerable restrictions on religious proselytizing of any kind. At the same time, Neilson notes that the congregations that do exist in China are active and thriving and that recently a new temple was announced. In this respect, McKay and Cannon’s efforts have born persistent fruit in spite of opposition.
By Reid L. Neilson
Reviewed by Adam Oliver Stokes
There are a plethora of resources on the history of the Latter-Day Saint church in North America. Church history is something that the church itself has done almost since its very inception (e.g. Joseph Smith’s history in the Pearl of Great Price) and that it does very well. However, as with all things, there are gaps and holes in even the best of endeavors. This is certainly true in regards to church history in non-Western countries and realms.
It can be argued that while there is a rich history of LDS missionary activity in these places, few historians or scholars have attempted to provide a balance account of such history in a way that is accessible to the general public. Hence, Neilson’s work here on the Chinese branches of the church was a welcome corrective. I was initially attracted to the book because of its mention of President McKay who in my own personal opinion is one of the most fascinating and significant figures in the history of the church. While McKay and his mission to China is indeed the focus of the book, I found Neilson’s project very informative in regards to Chinese LDS history in general and in providing a vivid picture of Chinese culture and society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Neilson is also to be commended for his honesty and bluntness in discussing LDS missions in Asia. He notes victories and significant moments-most notably the dedicatory prayer given by McKay which served to inaugurate 20th century LDS efforts to evangelize among the Chinese. At the same time, he also discusses the setback and failures on the part of McKay and his missionary partner Hugh Cannon. He notes similar difficulties in efforts undertaken before McKay’s era with the first LDS missionary to Hong Kong in the 19th century, James Lewis. It would have been very easy for Neilson to have created hagiography about his subject matter and it can be argued that earlier treatments of McKay and his work in Asia have done exactly this (I am thinking of one of my favorite LDS movies dealing with the life of McKay) yet this is a tendency the author deliberately and ultimately avoids.
Unlocking the Chinese Realm ends with an update on the current status of the church in China noting that the Chinese government has placed considerable restrictions on religious proselytizing of any kind. At the same time, Neilson notes that the congregations that do exist in China are active and thriving and that recently a new temple was announced. In this respect, McKay and Cannon’s efforts have born persistent fruit in spite of opposition.
March 18, 2026
Reid Neilson’s "Unlocking the Chinese Realm" is smooth, easy to read, and a great addition to the growing corpus of global Latter-day Saint history. He outlines the history of the Church's interaction with China and its people, as well as with other East Asian cultures, culminating in the 1921 dedication of the Chinese Realm by David O. McKay.
The book primarily focuses on Western missionaries and leadership, with some mentions of key Chinese saints throughout. However, Neilson does a great job of establishing a broader historical context at each point in the book. For instance, his comparison between LDS efforts in the Pacific versus Hong Kong is interesting, showing how the educated approach of Protestant missionaries often fared better in urban China, while the Restoration message found more immediate traction in the Pacific due to the willingness of the Elders to integrate more with the natives.
Neilson is not afraid to discuss the Saints' racial ideas and prejudices. One of the most surprising things I learned was about the 19th-century racial tensions surrounding Chinese immigrants in Utah. Neilson doesn't shy away from the fact that early Saints often neglected to proselytize these local populations due to prevailing prejudices, which allowed Protestant enclaves to form instead in their populations in Utah. Another interesting example is the discussion of how early Latter-day Saints had no sacred etiology for people of East Asian descent, but as they began to consider preaching in Japan, some assumed the Japanese had Israelite descent, thereby tying them to the Book of Mormon explorer Hagoth.
Perhaps the book's strongest feature is the appendix. It is replete with primary sources, allowing the reader to engage directly with the historical record without having to hunt through archives.
There is certainly room for a future volume focusing more on "bottom-up" history. Specifically, how local East Asian converts understood and adapted the theology. Neilson has provided the definitive framework for the institutional encounter. This is a notable, approachable, and professionally executed history that is valuable to anyone interested in the internationalization of the Restoration.
The book primarily focuses on Western missionaries and leadership, with some mentions of key Chinese saints throughout. However, Neilson does a great job of establishing a broader historical context at each point in the book. For instance, his comparison between LDS efforts in the Pacific versus Hong Kong is interesting, showing how the educated approach of Protestant missionaries often fared better in urban China, while the Restoration message found more immediate traction in the Pacific due to the willingness of the Elders to integrate more with the natives.
Neilson is not afraid to discuss the Saints' racial ideas and prejudices. One of the most surprising things I learned was about the 19th-century racial tensions surrounding Chinese immigrants in Utah. Neilson doesn't shy away from the fact that early Saints often neglected to proselytize these local populations due to prevailing prejudices, which allowed Protestant enclaves to form instead in their populations in Utah. Another interesting example is the discussion of how early Latter-day Saints had no sacred etiology for people of East Asian descent, but as they began to consider preaching in Japan, some assumed the Japanese had Israelite descent, thereby tying them to the Book of Mormon explorer Hagoth.
Perhaps the book's strongest feature is the appendix. It is replete with primary sources, allowing the reader to engage directly with the historical record without having to hunt through archives.
There is certainly room for a future volume focusing more on "bottom-up" history. Specifically, how local East Asian converts understood and adapted the theology. Neilson has provided the definitive framework for the institutional encounter. This is a notable, approachable, and professionally executed history that is valuable to anyone interested in the internationalization of the Restoration.
March 17, 2026
How did The Church of Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin to emerge from its pioneer, American and Northern Europe centrism to become a truly cosmopolitan church? This short volume from Reid L. Nelson will provide a large, small piece of that story in telling the missionary tale of East Asia, particularly the start and stops of proselyting China. This book can be organized into four parts: (1) an introduction and reflection on the initial missionary attempt in China; (2) the opening of Japan and its consequences; (3) David O. McKay’s dedication of China and the accompanying world tour with its after effects; and (4) a rich collection of appendices. I find the latter material to be much stronger, but all work together to create a work well worth visiting and revisiting.
The Appendices are worth the price of the book alone. The raw text of the missionary reports, to stirring oratory of the 1921 Dedicatory prayer, the moving stories, and the timeline essentially summarize the essential contents of each of the preceding chapters extremely well. Reading the documents unaccompanied by commentary or context provided in the actual text of the book allows a greater appreciation for the lived events those documents represent. I recommend reading the specific appendix related to the chapter you are about to read, and then reread the appendix after the chapter has provided context and some analysis.
The concluding chapters on the actual dedicatory prayer offered by then Elder McKay are top-notch. Chapter 4’s introduction and discussion of the ordinance of Apostolic Dedicatory Prayers. The author’s tendency to delve into historical commentary, instead of sharing the context or setting the scene, is the weakest part of the reading experience. I am all for helping situate a modern reader into the foreign country which is the past. However, this book’s strength is sharing a historical story in its context, not making amends for any perceived racism or nationalism or human failure.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book! It is a riveting piece of Latter-day Saint history for a part of the world members often think about.
The Appendices are worth the price of the book alone. The raw text of the missionary reports, to stirring oratory of the 1921 Dedicatory prayer, the moving stories, and the timeline essentially summarize the essential contents of each of the preceding chapters extremely well. Reading the documents unaccompanied by commentary or context provided in the actual text of the book allows a greater appreciation for the lived events those documents represent. I recommend reading the specific appendix related to the chapter you are about to read, and then reread the appendix after the chapter has provided context and some analysis.
The concluding chapters on the actual dedicatory prayer offered by then Elder McKay are top-notch. Chapter 4’s introduction and discussion of the ordinance of Apostolic Dedicatory Prayers. The author’s tendency to delve into historical commentary, instead of sharing the context or setting the scene, is the weakest part of the reading experience. I am all for helping situate a modern reader into the foreign country which is the past. However, this book’s strength is sharing a historical story in its context, not making amends for any perceived racism or nationalism or human failure.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book! It is a riveting piece of Latter-day Saint history for a part of the world members often think about.
March 22, 2026
This book was a really good read. Not exactly a gripping read, but it engaged me more than I had expected. The author is a very high quality historian who has written some nice histories ranging from pretty good (a history of the LDS Church and the 1893 world fair) to excellent (his work with Scott Marianno on Andrew Jenson, and their book on the history of the Salt Lake Temple). I liked this one quite a bit, and it gave quite a few details on LDS missionary activity in east Asia that were insightful and new to me.
The book starts out with a history of the Church missionary efforts from the early Brigham Young days (1851-1854). It is very frank about unsuccessful missionary efforts by Hosea Stout and others in Hong Kong, Canton, and Japan. I appreciated the candor with which the author assessed these early efforts, contrasted them with mildly successful efforts of early Protestant missionaries. The approaches were extremely different, and the honest assessment was very informative. Latter-day Saint proselytizing approaches were extremely successful in Europe, by contrast, and the author did an excellent job of putting the East Asian missionary efforts in accurate and helpful context.
The next third of the book focused on later missionary efforts to Eastern Asian countries and the South Pacific before 1920, most interesting of which was the opening of the Japanese mission, and its limited success. Heber J Grant and Alma O. Taylor’s story of opening Japan, as well as their work in assessing whether Korea and China were ready for missionary work was great. The level of detail in this section was excellent!
Finally, the last third of the book focused on David O Mckay’s and Hugh J Cannon’s worldwide mission tour, focusing on the dedication of China to the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It also examined in detail the influence of that prayer and the worldwide tour on later missionary work in those regions. The level of detail in this section was excellent, filled with great contextual details.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in LDS history, especially to learn more about the Church’s non-America-centric mission history.
The book starts out with a history of the Church missionary efforts from the early Brigham Young days (1851-1854). It is very frank about unsuccessful missionary efforts by Hosea Stout and others in Hong Kong, Canton, and Japan. I appreciated the candor with which the author assessed these early efforts, contrasted them with mildly successful efforts of early Protestant missionaries. The approaches were extremely different, and the honest assessment was very informative. Latter-day Saint proselytizing approaches were extremely successful in Europe, by contrast, and the author did an excellent job of putting the East Asian missionary efforts in accurate and helpful context.
The next third of the book focused on later missionary efforts to Eastern Asian countries and the South Pacific before 1920, most interesting of which was the opening of the Japanese mission, and its limited success. Heber J Grant and Alma O. Taylor’s story of opening Japan, as well as their work in assessing whether Korea and China were ready for missionary work was great. The level of detail in this section was excellent!
Finally, the last third of the book focused on David O Mckay’s and Hugh J Cannon’s worldwide mission tour, focusing on the dedication of China to the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It also examined in detail the influence of that prayer and the worldwide tour on later missionary work in those regions. The level of detail in this section was excellent, filled with great contextual details.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in LDS history, especially to learn more about the Church’s non-America-centric mission history.
March 17, 2026
I was excited when I heard that this book release was on the horizon. Seeing that the impossibly prolific LDS Church historian Reid Neilson was the author was great news. Every book he writes has the highest quality to it; his book from a few years back Pacific Apostle: The 1920-21 Diary of David O. McKay in the Latter-day Saint Island Missions was one of my favorite books about the Church in the Pacific that I've read. This book, Unlocking the Chinese Realm, continues that same quality and depth of insight. In fact, I see this book in some ways as a continuing of that one; this book tells the story of David O McKay's apostolic travels around the world from a century ago. In many ways, that trip shaped his time as prophet and his views of the Church as international. But this book is even more than an account of those travels he made (along with stake president Hugh J. Cannon, the son of LDS leader George Q. Cannon). It also contains the history of early missionary work in Japan and China, as well as among the Chinese saints in other parts of the world (the Ah Ching family in Samoa gets a fair amount of attention here, for example). Further, the book gives a history of apostolic blessings, dedicating whole countries to the work of sharing the Gospel. The book contains so much fascinating information. To top it all off, its appendices are excellent. I enjoyed learning more about Hosea Stout and Alma Taylor from their own words in the appendices.
In sum, I highly recommend this book to those who are interested in the spread of the LDS Church throughout the world, and especially in Asia.
In sum, I highly recommend this book to those who are interested in the spread of the LDS Church throughout the world, and especially in Asia.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The question "When will China be opened?" has long captured the imagination of Latter-day Saints. Reid Neilson's "Unlocking the Chinese Realm" offers a compelling answer: it already has been — just not in the way most members expect. That reframing alone made this book worth picking up for me.
Neilson is no casual observer. As a former managing director of the Church History Department and Assistant Church Historian, he brings decades of archival expertise to a subject he clearly loves. His preface makes clear that this book is as much a personal labor of passion as it is a scholarly contribution, and that energy carries through the writing.
The historical discoveries are genuinely surprising. I knew that President Nelson had cultivated meaningful relationships with Chinese leaders through his medical career, but I was far less familiar with his activities as an apostle. Learning that Russell M. Nelson and Dallin H. Oaks — the previous and current presidents of the Church — were sent together on assignment to China some 35 years ago felt like uncovering a remarkable footnote in Church history. And the 1921 dedication of China for the preaching of the gospel by David O. McKay is equally striking, predating even Melvin J. Ballard's celebrated dedication of South America in 1925. The scope of early apostolic vision for the Chinese people is something most members simply don't know about.
Like many readers, I found some chapters more engaging than others — the modern developments and contemporary Church presence in the region held my attention more than some of the earlier historical groundwork. But that's less a criticism of Neilson than a reflection of where my own interests lie, and readers with a deeper appetite for nineteenth-century missionary history will find plenty to love throughout.
In his preface, Reid highlights a talk given by Elder Oaks at the BYU Marriott Center in 1991, where he extended an invitation that has stayed with me: to open our minds and hearts to the Chinese people's way of thinking, their aspirations, and their impressive accomplishments — to deserve to be their friends. That spirit runs through every page of this book. If you share any interest in the future of the gospel among the Chinese people, "Unlocking the Chinese Realm" is a meaningful and rewarding place to start.
Neilson is no casual observer. As a former managing director of the Church History Department and Assistant Church Historian, he brings decades of archival expertise to a subject he clearly loves. His preface makes clear that this book is as much a personal labor of passion as it is a scholarly contribution, and that energy carries through the writing.
The historical discoveries are genuinely surprising. I knew that President Nelson had cultivated meaningful relationships with Chinese leaders through his medical career, but I was far less familiar with his activities as an apostle. Learning that Russell M. Nelson and Dallin H. Oaks — the previous and current presidents of the Church — were sent together on assignment to China some 35 years ago felt like uncovering a remarkable footnote in Church history. And the 1921 dedication of China for the preaching of the gospel by David O. McKay is equally striking, predating even Melvin J. Ballard's celebrated dedication of South America in 1925. The scope of early apostolic vision for the Chinese people is something most members simply don't know about.
Like many readers, I found some chapters more engaging than others — the modern developments and contemporary Church presence in the region held my attention more than some of the earlier historical groundwork. But that's less a criticism of Neilson than a reflection of where my own interests lie, and readers with a deeper appetite for nineteenth-century missionary history will find plenty to love throughout.
In his preface, Reid highlights a talk given by Elder Oaks at the BYU Marriott Center in 1991, where he extended an invitation that has stayed with me: to open our minds and hearts to the Chinese people's way of thinking, their aspirations, and their impressive accomplishments — to deserve to be their friends. That spirit runs through every page of this book. If you share any interest in the future of the gospel among the Chinese people, "Unlocking the Chinese Realm" is a meaningful and rewarding place to start.
March 17, 2026
This book is not really aptly named, since Mormons didn't really "unlock" anything related to China in the major period covered by the book until they established a mission presence in Hong Kong in the 1950's. Nevertheless, the author is an excellent historian and establishes and contextualizes the cross section of Mormon history and east Asia very well. Because the history is rather sparse, the author is able to flesh out what history there is with plenty of detail and historical perspective, including sociological reasons why the Mormons were so successful in the islands of the Pacific and not elsewhere in east Asia.
The writing is easy to follow and the book is well-footnoted (including some notes I wish were in the main text) and references a valuable collection of sources one may go to for further research into the topics it covers. It also contains transcriptions of many of the central events and documents the book covers in its several appendices.
The only major place I would say the author stumbles is where he veers into devotional, rather than scholarly, territory. This, unfortunately, includes the "highlight", or main focus of the book -- dedicatory prayers. The author tries to turn the practice into an "ordinance" with a recognizable and unchanging core. Fortunately, this problem is mostly isolated to chapters 4 and 5, and also in spite of his rhetoric, he marshals enough sources to basically make the opposite point he is trying to make.
It can be frustrating when misguided religiosity turns otherwise sound scholarship into slop. However, given that a big part of the audience is going to be active Mormons, this is probably a selling point rather than the opposite for a lot of folks. See my blog post on the book for more details if you wish.
I asked for a digital copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes, but did not receive any cash or discounts or other incentives to influence my opinions stated here.
The writing is easy to follow and the book is well-footnoted (including some notes I wish were in the main text) and references a valuable collection of sources one may go to for further research into the topics it covers. It also contains transcriptions of many of the central events and documents the book covers in its several appendices.
The only major place I would say the author stumbles is where he veers into devotional, rather than scholarly, territory. This, unfortunately, includes the "highlight", or main focus of the book -- dedicatory prayers. The author tries to turn the practice into an "ordinance" with a recognizable and unchanging core. Fortunately, this problem is mostly isolated to chapters 4 and 5, and also in spite of his rhetoric, he marshals enough sources to basically make the opposite point he is trying to make.
It can be frustrating when misguided religiosity turns otherwise sound scholarship into slop. However, given that a big part of the audience is going to be active Mormons, this is probably a selling point rather than the opposite for a lot of folks. See my blog post on the book for more details if you wish.
I asked for a digital copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes, but did not receive any cash or discounts or other incentives to influence my opinions stated here.
March 17, 2026
My parents served as missionaries in Japan and Hong Kong in the late 1960s, so I approached Unlocking the Chinese Realm curious about the Church's complex history in Asia. Neilson frames their experiences against a rich cultural and political backdrop.
He traces 1850s efforts fueled by millennial urgency but yielding scant success in China—overlooking Chinese railroad laborers in Utah and Japanese immigrants—while conversions sometimes thrived among South Pacific Chinese before Utah itself. Though focused on 70 years of LDS proselytizing that lagged Catholic and Protestant missions, Neilson contrasts mainland China's stalls with stronger growth in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
This echoed my parents: Father's minimal Japan language training but youth baptisms; Mother's brief Cantonese start in Hong Kong, cut short by politics for the Philippines' rapid expansion. These ties made it deeply personal.
Thoughtful, well-researched, and readable—perfect for Latter-day Saints with Asian mission ties or global Church history fans.
He traces 1850s efforts fueled by millennial urgency but yielding scant success in China—overlooking Chinese railroad laborers in Utah and Japanese immigrants—while conversions sometimes thrived among South Pacific Chinese before Utah itself. Though focused on 70 years of LDS proselytizing that lagged Catholic and Protestant missions, Neilson contrasts mainland China's stalls with stronger growth in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
This echoed my parents: Father's minimal Japan language training but youth baptisms; Mother's brief Cantonese start in Hong Kong, cut short by politics for the Philippines' rapid expansion. These ties made it deeply personal.
Thoughtful, well-researched, and readable—perfect for Latter-day Saints with Asian mission ties or global Church history fans.
March 17, 2026
Reid L. Neilson provides an account of the Church’s earliest attempts to establish a presence in East Asia. A major focus of the book is the 1852 Hong Kong Mission
Neilson details the overwhelming obstacles that led to the mission's closure after only a few months, including pollical instability, severe hardships including challenging environmental conditions, and debilitating illness. They also encountered several communication barriers which caused the closure after only a few months.
I like how It is written topically rather than chronologically, as the writing makes it easier to follow. Neilson is able to focus on East Asia Latter-day Saints having great success. He is able to document this book well while at times he is having trouble documenting the book in some parts of it.
It is really not until the 1950s that the LDS Church really establishes anything in China under David O. McKay. As of right now it seems like with any religion. It is hard to share your beliefs in Asia and I am interested how the LDS Church moves forward in evangelizing in China.
Neilson details the overwhelming obstacles that led to the mission's closure after only a few months, including pollical instability, severe hardships including challenging environmental conditions, and debilitating illness. They also encountered several communication barriers which caused the closure after only a few months.
I like how It is written topically rather than chronologically, as the writing makes it easier to follow. Neilson is able to focus on East Asia Latter-day Saints having great success. He is able to document this book well while at times he is having trouble documenting the book in some parts of it.
It is really not until the 1950s that the LDS Church really establishes anything in China under David O. McKay. As of right now it seems like with any religion. It is hard to share your beliefs in Asia and I am interested how the LDS Church moves forward in evangelizing in China.
March 18, 2026
My parents served as missionaries in Japan and Hong Kong in the late 1960s, so I approached Unlocking the Chinese Realm curious about the Church's complex history in Asia. Neilson frames their experiences against a rich cultural and political backdrop.
He traces 1850s efforts fueled by millennial urgency but yielding scant success in China, overlooking Chinese railroad laborers in Utah and Japanese immigrants, while conversions sometimes thrived among South Pacific Chinese before Utah itself. Though focused on 70 years mostly lacking LDS proselytizing compared to Catholic and Protestant missions, Neilson contrasts mainland China's stalls with stronger growth in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
This echoed my parents' experiences: Father's minimal Japan language training but youth baptisms; Mother's brief Cantonese start in Hong Kong, cut short by politics for the Philippines' rapid expansion. These ties made it feel almost like a work of family history.
Thoughtful, well-researched, and readable—perfect for Latter-day Saints with Asian mission ties or global Church history fans.
He traces 1850s efforts fueled by millennial urgency but yielding scant success in China, overlooking Chinese railroad laborers in Utah and Japanese immigrants, while conversions sometimes thrived among South Pacific Chinese before Utah itself. Though focused on 70 years mostly lacking LDS proselytizing compared to Catholic and Protestant missions, Neilson contrasts mainland China's stalls with stronger growth in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
This echoed my parents' experiences: Father's minimal Japan language training but youth baptisms; Mother's brief Cantonese start in Hong Kong, cut short by politics for the Philippines' rapid expansion. These ties made it feel almost like a work of family history.
Thoughtful, well-researched, and readable—perfect for Latter-day Saints with Asian mission ties or global Church history fans.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews