The Light
"Japan Kobe Mission: A Zion Mission"
January 2000

"I am the light that ye shall hold up." --3 Nephi 18:24

Mission President's Message - January 2000

Dear Missionaries,

1999 is history and a new millennium is beginning! "Wherefore, lift up your heart and rejoice ... ." (D&C 25:13) We have much to rejoice about. We worked hard together and we moved the work forward in 1999. Thank you for your tireless efforts to establish the church in your area. We were successful on a broad base. Reactivation became an integral part of our missionary activity as we worked with local leaders to bring many back who have been away, some for years. New converts remained active in greater numbers than before. The number of people who received baptism exceeded that of recent years. We have truly strengthened many wards and branches through our support of local leaders in fulfilling their three-fold mission of Proclaiming the Gospel, Perfecting the Saints and Redeeming the Dead. We should all feel good about what we have accomplished. Sister Robertson and I express our love and appreciation to you for this.

Now we enter a new year, at the beginning of a new millennium. This is truly a time when the "winding-up scenes" are unfolding before us. The need for the message we have was never greater. It seems that more and more people are looking for something better and are willing to change their lives to have it. Their role is to open their hearts. Our role is to teach simple, eternal truths that fill their need. "And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. (D&C 84:88) The Lord is truly with us. He will not let his work falter. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalms 37:5) Commitment is important to the Lord. It means that we will do all in our power to achieve what he has asked us to do, that we will never give up, that we will keep trusting and keep working. His promise is that "he shall being it to pass." What a glorious truth. We are partners with the Lord in the greatest work of all time.

Let us go forward, make our goals, prepare our plans, work with everything we have, and leave the harvest to the Lord. The Lord has promised those who serve him "in righteousness and truth unto the end [that] great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory." (D&C 76:5-6)

Sincerely,

President Robertson

Dear Wonderful Missionaries,

How exciting to be starting a brand new century and millennium! By now you've probably experienced Oshogatsu, seen all the versions of dragons imagination can provide, eaten some osechi, pounded some rice, survived Y2K, and found some new people with whom to share the gospel.

Not long after you get this you'll probably be observing or even participating in Seijin-no-hi. It's a special holiday to honor young men and women who have reached the age of 20 (see the Japan Times article that follows). This is an excellent camera day because of all the beautiful kimonos and can also provide great dendo opportunities as well.

Then just a few weeks later, on February third or fourth, the Japanese people celebrate Setsuban. This isn't an official holiday just a regular annual event. (See the second Japan Times article). Here is a good chance to build on common beliefs and talk about how we too are anxious to bring about good fortune and eliminate evil from our lives. We have even a more effective way than the symbolic bean throwing at the devil (which can be quite fun).

Both the holiday and the event can serve as the basis for an Eikaiwa lesson or discussion. You could take selected words from the articles reprinted here and have the students practice their hatsuon and meaning. In the higher level classes, you could give them a copy of the Japanese version and have them try translating it into English. Lower level classes could learn and even re-enact "Fortune in, devils out" in English. They could also be challenged to use these four words in other sentences.

Please do enjoy learning about the culture and customs of Japan as you work hard to do your missionary work. (Hint: If you are having a hard time working hard, check your own testimony level and see if you can help it rise a notch or two, that usually helps a lot!) There are still many to "harvest".

• Don't forget to stay warm (wear your overcoats). 
• Don't leave your space heaters on all night (dangerous!). 
• Clean those apartments!
• Drink lots of water (winter too). 
• Wash your hands often. 
• Bike safely!
• Throw away any BE guns that well-meaning members have given you for your holiday "fun"! Even if the BB's are only plastic.
• And don't forget we love you !!!!!

Love, Sister Robertson

P.S. Here's the delicious way to eat mugi that we promised to share:

Boil 2 cups of water with a little salt 
Add 1 cup of mugi 
Cook well for 6-8 minutes (stirring occasionally) 
Serve with brown sugar, a peach half, and milk or cream. 
(Very warm and delicious on a cold day!)

Seijin-no-hi (Coming-of-Age Day)

1. Seijin-no-hi is a day set aside to honor young men and women who have reached the age of 20.
2. Ceremonies are held across the nation on January 15th.
3. This is a national holiday.
4. Young people art regarded as "adults" after celebrating this day.
5. They are then regarded as responsible members of society.
6. The young people who have reached the age of 20 are invested with all the rights of citizenship, including the right to vote.
7. Various events to honor the young people are also held at civic halls across the nation. 
8. All those who turned 20 during the previous year are invited to the ceremonies.
9. Lectures and other events are featured at such ceremonies.
10. Parties are also held.
11. Usually young men attend the ceremonies in suits and women are dressed in furisode or long-sleeved kimino.
12. It is legal For people to smoke at the age of twenty
13. This is a special day for young people; it marks their crossing the threshold of life.

Setsubun (Mame-maki, or bean-throwing)

1. Setsubun falls on either the 3rd or 4th of February.
2. According to the old lunar calendar of Japan, setsubun is the day which divides the two seasons: winter and spring.
3. Roasted beans are scattered inside and outside the house and the words "Fortune in, devils out!" are shouted.
4. Roasted beans have been used as a charm against demons since ancient times. 
5. Not only do people scatter roasted beans, but they also place a broiled sardine's head and a small branch of holly on the front door. 
6. The thorny leaves of the holly and the fishy smell of the broiled sardine are believed to drive away evil spirits.
7. This is the day to exorcise evils, such as the demons of ill-health or disasters. 
8. People eat as many beans as their age. 
9. The purpose is to pray for good health and good fortune for the year.
10. The bean-throwing ceremony is held on a grand scale at temples and Shinto shrines.

And the Light's Newest Feature

We have some wonderful conversion stories to share! Each month we'll print one so we can all bask in the light and joy conversions bring. This month's (our first official) conversion story is from Elder Fulbright's Father. Enjoy:

Conversion Story for January 2000 Light

Conversion Story as written by Don Fulbright to his son, Elder Fulbright, November 5, 1999

"I never thought of my joining the church as being a conversion. I suppose it all began 40 years ago when I met your mother and got married. She never pushed, as a matter of fact she always shielded me if anyone came on too strong. Through the years I always attended church with her. I participated in church functions, helped raise money and worked to build church buildings. It always gave me a good feeling to help out. As our children grew, I watched them become fine young men. They were very strong in their beliefs and actions. I admired and respected them for what they were doing. The years passed quickly and I realized I believed more all the time in the gospel and the Book of Mormon. The greatest blessing for me was, if I lived righteously I could be with my family for eternity. My family is the most important thing I have in my life. We never know when or how we will be taken away, so I thought I had better do something about it. I told my wife in July of 1998 I was going to join the church. In Oct. I told my boys about my decision. I was baptized Nov. 27, 1998 in the Dayton Ward. It was the best thing that could happen to me. When my youngest son (Jesse) gets home from his mission, we will be sealed for time and eternity in the Portland Temple. I leave you this message in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

***

Our own Elder Fulbright returns January 13th. What a wonderful opportunity he will have to go and be sealed together with his family. Thanks, Elder Fulbright (and your Dad) for sharing this with us.

Happy New Year

Message from the Assistants

Choro Shimais 
Yum yum mochi mochi (Masters Choro) 
Yum yum mikan mikan (Amakasu Choro) 
Yum yum McDonalds...He he he (Elder Fry) 
Akemashite Omedetougozaimasu!!!!!! 
How's it going? Well here we are in our much awaited Year 2000!!!!! Well it seems like nothing has changed and we started a new month and a new day again? Well, if you're thinking that,... you're wrong! Things are changing!!! We are now seeing success throughout the mission!! All over the mission we are hearing miracles from each zone, district and area. Some elders have decided to use the 15 finding methods and started from #1. Well, guess what the result was? Their Shinkaiin referred to them three of his friends who all became investigators. So maybe you can work with some of your shinkaiins too!

Let's talk about attitudes and perspectives for this month's topic. OK here's a quick experiment before we talk about this. Suppose there is a cup that is half filled with Rooootbeeeeer (yum yum). Now looking at that cup how would you explain the amount of content inside the cup' Many of you probably answered "it's half empty" or "it's half full". And that's the difference What I mean is you can either choose to be sad or upset at the cup only being half empty. Or you can choose to rejoice and be happy seeing the cup being half full. (2 Nephi2:27) Attitude and perspective make a big difference regarding what kind of memories you're making. Let's make some great ones in 2000, by keeping POSITIVE!!

Amakasu and Masters Chore

Message from the Secretary

A very Happy New Year to you ALL.

I have thought a lot about prayer this month and have had several prayers answered and decided it would be nice if I shared with you one of my favorite messages that I carry in my wallet: 

ANSWER TO PRAYER 
BY HUGH B. BROWN

We ask for strength and God gives us difficulties which make us strong. 
We pray for wisdom and God sends us problems, the solution of which develops wisdom 
We plead for prosperity and God gives us brain and brawn to work.
We plead for courage and God gives us opportunities. 

This is the answer.

Do your best, love you, 
Sister Fry

Sonoko    Yamagata-ken

Happy Birthday to each of you!!!!!

Message from Financial Secretary 

Apartment Utilities

We were shocked to receive a missionary apartment water bill of 100,000 yen for a two months period. Upon closer check the missionaries discovered a leak which had gone undetected for several months, thereby increasing the water bill. This unnecessary waste of the Lord's sacred funds should be avoided. It is important for you to be aware of water leaks in your faucets and toilets. If you can locate the water meter, turn off all water faucets in the apartment and observe if the meter is still turning, thereby indicating a leak. Since water is so costly, please limit your showers to 10 minutes maximum and do not wash your dishes under running water--use a dish pan. For those apartments which have thermostats for heater temperature control, 22 degrees should be the maximum setting when the apartment is occupied. Be sure to turn off the heat at bedtime and whenever you leave the apartment. If all the apartment residents are aware of the importance of fuel and water conservation, we can work together to save the Lord's sacred funds.

Apartment Telephone Costs

During December the card phones were converted to regular phones where the office pays the bill. Therefore, all missionaries will have a deduction from MSF each month of 2000 yen to cover phone costs. We are in the process of ordering Japan Telecom computer boxes to be installed on each phone. Routing of Long Distance calls through the box reduces your cost by about 30% over NTT or KDD. It is important that the box be plugged into electric power at all times in order to receive the JTC savings. Please check the plug often.

Please remember that it is very costly to make calls to cellular telephones--about 40-50 yen per minute. These calls can add up very quickly to large bills. Recently a missionary apartment had placed 45,000 yen in calls to cell phones for one month, which the missionary had to reimburse in excess of the allowance.

Elder Fry

Message from the Recorder

Hello! This is Elder Hayashi who didn't realize it was the New Year's Day until I had my foot stepped on in the crowd of people who were at the shrine for "Hatsumode". For me, it was a normal morning as usual until it happened. Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

How was your "last year"? Have you made your "New Year's Resolutions" yet? Mine is to "lose weight". I'm going to make it this year!! What? Don't have any dreams which can never come true, oh, leave me alone.

Many revisions have been made in the individual STATS for the new year. These will help with developing teaching skills working to help retention, etc.

I am grateful for the revelations given to us, the missionaries of the Japan Robe Mission, through the Mission President and also the A.P.'s. And also I am grateful for all your co-operation in accord with those revelations. I am grateful for your love, and for the DL's who never fail to send me DL stats every week. So here I have some good "yummy news. I'm always asking a lot of you so it's like "otoshidama" from me.

With the phone at the Mission office, after the seventh ring, the answering machine will be on. When we have to be out of the office during the day, Elder and Sister Fry cannot answer the phone because many of the calls are in Japanese. So even if the answering machine is on, don't give up. There is a good chance that Sister Fry might answer the phone. She can hear the recorded messages. But remember that what ever you say will be recorded.

We can never answer the telephone from 9:30 am to 10:15 am because we have a prayer meeting during that time. Thank you for your understanding.

I have made many lists since becoming the recorder at the Mission office. I have several lists that be helpful to you. I have made:

1. List of the addresses within each area boundary.
2. List of the addresses of the church buildings in the Kobe Mission..
3. List of lesson plans tango (50 yen). 
4. List LDS Hymn book tango. (150 yen)

These will be on the table at Zone Conference. You can purchase them there. 

Elder Hayashi

Mission Supply Manager

To all the missionaries in the Japan Kobe Mission that I love, Happy New Year! Yoroshiku for this year too. I pray that this new opening of a thousand years may be a glorious one for all of you.

Well the saying "Kooin ya no Gotoshi" (which means "time flies by") are true words. It's been a month and a half since I have been called to this position as the Mission Supply Manager (MSM). And within that time, many things have happened. But with the help and patience of my fellow missionaries, I have now settled in. I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone.

Continuing from last year, I have a few onegais. Through these changes I could help missionaries more effectively. I would like to ask for your cooperation.

1. When there are repairs that need to be made (i.e. toilet, bathtub, etc), always FIRST call the honbu. This is really important. Don't call for repairs. 
2. Please send the bills that come to the apartment for gas, electricity, water, phone immediately. Please do not throw them away. (if they are not sent I will call you)
3. If possible please include your area on the bill.
4. Please keep your living quarters clean. Please do not put your trash outside your front door or other places that is not designated for your trash. This can cause disturbance to your neighbors. Also think about the location or the way you park your bike before you park your bike. 
5. There are items that you may have ordered that are not in stock. This will take some time to receive .

Did everyone go see the shrine for New Years? Even though I wasn't feeling well for New Years, I was blessed with the opportunity to go see the Ikuta shrine. This was the first time I was able to go to the shrine for New Years (it's called Hatsumoude). When I went there, I saw many people throwing their money into the offering box (Saisenbako), clapping their hands and praying earnestly. Then arose a feeling within me I could not bare. Then a scripture came into my head. (DC123:12) My heart filled with all the people in this world who are waiting and have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel yet. My loving Elders and Sisters! What a blessing it is to be able to share the joy or blessing of the Coming. And what a privilege! 

Elder Kirigaya

An After thought.......

Brenda was a young woman who was invited to go rock climbing. Although she was scared to death, she went with her group to a tremendous granite cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took a hold on the rope, and started up the face of the rock. Well, she got to the ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens.

Here she is on a rock ledge, with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn't there. Here she was, far from home, her sight now blurry. She was desperate and began to get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her to find it.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down, despondent, with the rest of the party, waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the cliff.

She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and you know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Finally, they walked down the trail to the bottom. At the bottom there was a new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?" Well, that would be startling enough but do you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it!

Brenda told me that her father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that contact lens with the words, "Lord, I don't know why you want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what you want me to do, I'll carry it for You." At the risk of being accused of being fatalistic, I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will."

"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the one called."

HAVE A WONDERFUL YEAR OF HARD WORK, LOVE THOSE YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH AND DO YOUR VERY BEST........ Love Sister Fry