In Memory of Sister Jennifer Schulz

Born Nov. 25, 1972, of Salt Lake City, Utah - Died May 5th, 1995,  Isahaya, Japan

May 4th, 1005

Jennifer Schulz - Our beloved daughter, Jennifer, who was serving a mission in Japan, was transferred home to Heavenly Father to continue her mission. Jennifer was born November 25, 1972, Salt Lake City, Utah, to Helmut and Elfriede Schulz. She was a very loving, kind, giving, life-loving person, who always loved to help others and loved to serve Heavenly Father. She is greatly missed.

Survived by  parents, sisters, Carola Michel, Kerstin Sparks, all of Salt Lake; Ramona Roberts, Orem; and Melinda Schulz; brothers, Roy and Daniel Schulz; grandparents, Kurt and Martha Schulz, all of Salt Lake; and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Germany.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 12, 1995, 12 noon, at the Brighton 1st Ward Chapel. Friends may call at the Cannon Mortuary, Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and from 10-11:45 a.m. at the church prior to service. Interment, Mtn. View Memorial Estates.

May 4th, 1995

May 6, 1995

Dear Brother and Sister Schulz and beloved family,

     In behalf of my daughters, Deborah, Heather and Heidi, and Sister Pincock and Myself, and one hundred and forty-one Elders and Sisters of the Japan Fukuoka Mission, we unitedly send our love, prayers and burning testimony of the truth of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.

     It has been our privilege these past fourteen months to have labored with Sister Schulz in this beautiful part of the Lords' vineyard. We have endeavored to work hard, work smart, and work by the Spirit as we fulfill our sacred covenant witht he Lord in his service. Sister Schulz was one who would strive diligently throughout her mission, to incorporate into her own life, those Christ-like values she taught her beloved Japanese friends. Her infectious smile, and warm countenance, and genuine caring has won the trust of many who have consequently come to know God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Her presence among us will be surely missed, for she was to us, that which gives salt its' savor.

     On such an occasion words are not sufficient to express the spiritual oneness of interpersonal communion. We are humbled by the majesty and greatness of the Fathers' plan for his children. President Spencer W. Kimball has state, "Whether we work on this side of the veil or on the other side makes little difference. Before the Lord it is all on great program." (Star of the First Magnitude, Ensign Dec. 15, 1985). "Truly the death of a righteous individual is both an honorable release and a call to new labors". (Funeral Service for President N. Eldon Tanner, Nov. 30, 1982). Our farewell to a beloved companion and fellow servant of God is but a homecoming to the waiting arms of a Fathers' warm embrace. I testify to you that Sister Schulz has been being prepared, and because she stood blameless before God, "She did not taste of death, for it was sweet unto her" (D&C 42:46). We loved her deeply, and because of that our tears have flowed freely. Our Father in Heaven knew there would be such feelings in parting, for he has taught us "Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die" (D&C 42:45). However, in all humility we rejoice in her earthly achievements for she has been loved and magnified by a higher source, and now has responded to the Masters' beckoning call.

     We love you Brother and Sister Schulz for sharing her with us, and for preparing her for the Call to Serve.

Respectfully, your servant,

President Dwight L. Pincock

Japan Fukuoka Mission

Submitted by Kimberly Montminy

August 18, 2003

We were in a district of 6 sisters and 4 elders. All six of us were going to Fukuoka, while the elders were going to Sendai. There were two other districts that entered the MTC on the same day as us, and out of those two, there was one more sister, and three elders also going to Fukuoka. Can you imagine, seven sisters entering the mission field the same day? It must have been overwhelming, even though this was back when there were a lot more sisters serving in Japan.

The six of us developed a very special bond. We were all very close to one another, at least in my opinion. It was wonderful to have such a sisterhood, and it is part of what built our character for our mission, I believe. Schulz shimai particularly struggled during our two months in the MTC, as the language did not come easily to them. I have to say it was pretty easy sailing for me, but languages have always come easily to me. Perhaps this caused a bit of a lack of humility on my part, which hit me hard later on. Regardless, we supported each other, and stood together as one or another struggled and wanted to go home.

Anyhow, we arrived at the mission home, and were assigned our new companions. I was sent to Taniyama to be Matsumoto shimai's green bean.

She was a native sister, who understood English well, but did not speak it. I was thrown for such a loop. I struggled, like I never had in the MTC. I remember boasting to my father at the airport that I would be able to speak the language well within three months. My first two months in the field were a disaster, particularly the first few weeks. I was sure they taught us the wrong language in the MTC (they taught us Japanese, not Kagoshima-ben!) My senpai would get angry when I spoke English to her, she told me I gave her a headache.

I finally reached my breaking point. I was going to call Figuerres dendobucho and ask him to send me home. I knew that I would be a failure, and I would disappoint my family, but I just couldn't handle it. I had never failed anything in my life, yet I was ready to throw in the towel. At that very moment, the telephone rang. Because I was terrified of it, Matsumoto shimai answered. She handed the phone to me, and it was Schulz shimai, and her senpai Pinkney shimai. I cried and cried and cried. Here was Schulz shimai, who had had such a difficult time with the language in the MTC, telling me not to quit, that I could do it. I know that Heavenly Father inspired her to call me. It was what I needed. Things did not get immediately easier for me, I still had to overcome my pride in order to succeed, but I no longer wanted to go home. She saved me, I have always believed that.

Fast forward to two months before the end of our missions. The call came as we sat in our Friday morning meeting. I'll never forget the surreal feeling that went through me. We were all incredibly saddened, I think particularly the five remaining shimais from our MTC district.

We were not allowed to attend her memorial service, we were asked to press forward and complete our work. I understood the reasons for that, but to this day I feel that things would have been different for me if  I had been allowed to attend. I became a bit numb from that point on, trying to put it out of my mind and do what I was there to do. We  later had a memorial at zone taikai, but somehow it didn't really help.

About a year later, I visited Rigby shimai in Utah. Heather Rigby had been Schulz shimai's companion in the MTC, as well as her companion at the time of her death. One day, while visiting with her, I just broke down. We talked for hours. We had never been given the opportunity to obtain closure, and it hurt as much as the day I received the news.

To this day it all seems very surreal. A memorial to her is a fitting thing. A musical video was made in her memory, it was shown to us at that memorial zone taikai, and we were told that we would be able to get a copy. Because I was going home shortly thereafter, I never did obtain a copy, but I would be most grateful if somebody would do this for me, even at this late date. She will never be forgotten.

Kimberly Montminy

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