The Light
Japan Kobe Mission: July 2000

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the son of God. I am the Life and the Light of the world." --D&C 11:28

President's Message

I want to express my love and gratitude to you for all that you do, every day, to grow and strengthen the Lord's kingdom in this area. By each of us performing well our individual tasks, the combined results become a "marvelous work and a wonder". The Prophet Alma taught us that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass". (Alma 37:7) The work which we do every day may not, in and of itself, seem great, but it is the means for great things to come to pass. Therefore the work we do every day is of great importance.

On March 28, 1835 the Twelve "met in council, confessing their sins, expressing repentance, and seeking the further guidance of the Lord." They were about to separate on missions (D&C 107 Headnote). The Lord gave them specific instructions and closed with these words, "Now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence." (verse 99) Elders and Sisters, what is our duty? Some don't like that word, feeling that it is too strict or confining. But knowing our duty to God and performing it is the key to every blessing that the Lord has prepared and desires to bestow upon us.

Junior companions, your duty is to learn to live by every principle in the White Handbook and the Additional Information for the Kobe Mission, so that you will have the Spirit with you. Your duty is to learn the discussions as fast as your individual capabilities allow, including becoming able to teach the First Discussion without using the book. Your duty is to complete your Initial Pass-off and your first Master Pass-off as quickly as you can. Your duty is to speak to everyone you see and practice your language tirelessly. Your duty is to watch your senior companion, and learn everything you can from him or her about how to find, teach effectively, baptize and strengthen members. And your duty is to contribute to missionary work in your area as much as you can so that your Senior is not required to bear the entire load. I promise you that fulfilling your duty will enable you to have joy in this early part of your mission and know that you are contributing as the Lord would have you.

Senior companions, your duty is to set an example of living by every principle in the White Handbook and the Additional Information for the Kobe Mission, so that you will have the Spirit with you. Your duty is to teach an effective First Discussion without using the book. Your duty is to strive everyday to achieve the Mission Goals as distributed at the O-shogatsu Taikai. Your duty is to work as a team with your junior companion, capitalizing on his or her strengths and preparing him or her to become a senior companion. I promise you that the Lord will support and sustain you as you fulfill your duty, and bring you the satisfaction of knowing that you are building eternal relationships and bringing eternal blessings to many.

Hymn 229 admonishes us, "Today, today, work with a will; Today, today, your duties fulfill." This is our call, to go forward and fulfill our duties as servants of the Lord. Hymn 223 adds, "Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love." Additional blessings await as we learn and fulfill Our duty. I pray that we will do so and thereby experience these great blessings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

President Robertson

Sister Robertson's Message

Dear Wonderful Missionaries,

I hope you are drinking lots of water and an occasional sports (isotonic) drink. "Lots" is 8 to 10 full glasses a day. You'll feel very tired and non-functional if you're not well-hydrated.

We are so fortunate/blessed to be working with you. We have received many compliments about you recently--your appearance, your dedication, your diligence, your love for the Lord, your sincerity, etc.. Members and others have noticed these in you and commented about them to us. Interesting how many of the conversion stories I collect begin with someone noticing the different countenance or aura about the missionaries.

Well, hope you saw some evidence of Tanabataa celebrations. Can August's obon odori (and the increased opportunity to use family history as a common belief) be far behind? Also, as seasons change you're likely to see the o-mikoshi being moved through the streetss. Recently, our own RM, Elder Quiton, (who is to be congratulated on his marriage last month) sent us an interesting website that compares the o-mikoshi moving to Ancient Israel's carrying of the Ark of the Covenant. Many other things in Japanese bunka are compared with similar parts of the ancient Israel culture pointing quite clearly to signs of a linkage. Of course our current missionarics will have to wait, but you RM's might want to check out this fascinating website: "Israelites Came to Ancient Japan" at:

http://www.ask.ne.jp/~remnant/isracame.htm

Thanks for the info, Elder Quiton.

As for Eikaiwa. Elder Runnels and "dodes" are trying out a music curriculum to help students with hatsuon and fluency. They are taking a dozen or so well-known, not too difficult, folk songs (like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat") and teaching one a week. What a great idea for summer! I find my class really likes to sing simple and fun songs. I often try to think of a "campfire type" or even children's song that might go with the topic of a lesson. Anyway, be creative and have fun and feel free to share good ideas that work for you. Learning can and should be enjoyable! And of course, don't forget to:

• Keep those apartments clean. (The Holy Ghost doesn't like to dwell in messes!)
• Air your futons -- when the rainy season allows
• Wash your bed and bath linens more frequently during hot weather
• Mend any sock holes or take advantage of the 50 yen trade-in offer)
• Keep those pant legs away from the spokes!
• Don't forget how loved and appreciated you are!

Love,  Sister Robertson

From the Assistants

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." (Alma 37:6) The work is simple. Some of the things we do on a daily basis may seem too small to even matter, but that's the greatest thing about the work, it's simple. Pass offs, obedience, smiling as we work and just feeling inside that baptizing is "just what I do" are a few of the daily small means in which we can allow God to unravel His work through our hands. Baptisms are something I should expect because I'm a missionary, a servant called to find eternal friends who I promised to find before I came to this life. They're waiting and so is our Lord, but He'll help us find them. You just can't lose as a Missionary.

 Love, Thompson Choro

From the Recorder

Hey everyone, I hope everyone is Genki! These last few months we have all been so blessed. The mission is blowing up and the situation keeps getting better. As we improve ourselves, our skills and our faith, we are able to bring more and more of Heavenly Father's precious children back to Him. It is really a privilege to be here in the office and be able to see the progress of thee mission as a whole. This really is the Lord's work and He directs it. As we turn to Him for guidance and walk His path, we will ever find the blessings (and people) that He has prepared for us.

First of all let me thank you all for being so prompt and reliable with the baptism and confirmation records. Everyone knows what to do and is doing it very well. From the bottom of the paper-stack on my desk, thank you. Occasionally there are still church clerks that want to try to send the records themselves, or are a little unsure about the the new process. Please tell them to talk to their Stake President or to call the honbu for information. Just make sure that you walk out the door with the records and get them to us by fax and mail.

"And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their might; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them ..." (Jacob 5:72) Everyday the Lord is working by our side, helping us spread His gospel. The mission is blowing up!!! Miracles are happening everyday and we're finding those that are waiting for the gospel. Following the direction given to us from the Mission President then from our Zone Leaders and District Leaders, we've grown as a mission and as individuals. Let's find our 'eternal friends' and prepare for that great big party up in Heaven. "Brethren (and Shimais), shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!`' (Doctrine and Covenants 128:22) Christ is our leader. How can we fail? Love you all!!! 

Wunder Choro

One last thing about Stats Sheets: When you are filling in the 'Received Lesson` and 'Member Joint' parts of 'Total Yoteisha' and 'Total Pool', remember that this is not thee number of lessons taught to your Qs or yoteishas. "Lessons Taught" has its own box. This is the number of your Qs or yoteishas that have been taught. Similarly Member joint is the number of lessons that had a member present to help. So you shouldn't have a '3' in Total Pool and a '5' in lessons taught You can only have a 3 or less. Essentially this number shows how many of your Qs or Yoteis have been taught at least once in the week So if you teach them twice in the week, they still only go down once. Think of the number of Qs as slots, and the lessons as filling the slot, you can't fill more slots than you have. I realize this is a terrible explanation. Please call if you have any questions.

Thanks for everything you do and all your  hard work! 

Love, Blatchford Choro

O-Mikoshi (portable shrine)

1. An o-mikoshi is a portable shrine.
2. It is thought of as a sacred palanquin for the gods.
3. The spirit of a deity temporarily reposes in an o-mikoshi during a festival.
4. It is generally made of wood.
5. The o-mikoshi is lacquered black and is gilded with gold.
6. Portables shrines are of various sizes and shapes.
7. It is carried on the shoulders of bearers, usually men, during a festival.
8. To make it easy to carry, the o-mikoshi is placed on four long poles.
9. A portable shrine is so heavy that it needs many bearers.
10. It is carried along the streets of a town.
11. The carrying of an o-mikoshi is really a vigorous and lively sight.
12. It is believed that when the o-mikoshi is carried, evil will be neutralized and blessings will be spread in the area.
13. It is stored in a Shinto shrine treasure house.

Recipe of the Month

OYAKO DONBURI (Rice with chicken & egg topping)

Ingredients:

1 large chicken breast 
2 1/2 Tbsp Shoyu (soy sauce) 
1 cup chicken broth
2 tsp. Sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Salt (to taste) 
2 or 3 med fresh mushrooms or sliced canned mushrooms 
1/2 package thawed frozen peas 
2 green onions, sliced 1/4 inch 
3 eggs, slightly beaten

Directions:

Cut the chicken into cubes or slices. 
Place in a bowl and add the shoyu. 
Heat the broth, and add the sugar and salt and marinated chicken.
Stir carefully. Cook for 3 minutes. 
Add the mushrooms, peas, and green onions.
Cook fur two minutes more. 
Blend the eggs in a small bowl and pour the eggs into the pan with the other ingredients.
Cook for 3 minutes carefully shaking the pan by the handle to distribute the flavors or stir gently with cooking hashi. 
Eggs will be soft and coddled, but set. 
Place hot cooked rice (from suihanki) 3/4 full in large bowls (donburi). 
Scoop the chicken--egg mixture over the rice.
Sprinkle a little chopped flavored nori (ajitsuki nori) for garnish.

Fukuoka Temple Dedication

In the midst of Japan's largest and busiest international centers, members of the church gathered in a setting of peace and reverence for the dedication of the Fukuoka Japan Temple on Sunday, June 11th.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, and his wife, Marjorie, dedicated the island-nation's second temple in four sessions. It was a pleasant day, warm and free of rain even though the area is in its rainy season.

Tears flowed freely throughout the day, as members emotionally expressed their gratitude to be in the presence of the President of the Church under such circumstances.

One of the smaller temples, it is unique in its construction. The main entrance of white granite-faced edifice opens onto the hillside on which it is situated. Underneath the temple, opening to the bottom of the hill, is a dark-gray faced lower level which includes a new mission home, mission offices and an apartment for the Temple President. It is an efficient use of property in an area where a standard building lot can be priced at more than a million dollars.

Several long time members of the Church in Japan remember when the Church obtained the property, a time that roughly corresponded with the beginning of President Hinckley's service in the area.

(Taken from the Church News, June 17, 2000)

Ricks College News Release June21, 2000

Ricks College to become Brigham Young University-Idaho

REXBURG, Idaho -- The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Board of Trustees of Ricks College announce that Ricks College will change from its present two-year junior college status to a four-year institution. The new four-year school will be known as Brigham Young University-Idaho, with thee name change designed to give the school immediate national and international recognition. The memory of Thomas E. Ricks will continue to be appropriately honored and perpetuated.

This change of status is consistent with the ongoing tradition of evaluation and progress that has brought Ricks College from infant beginnings to its present position as the largest privately owned two-year institution of higher education in America. With some additions and modifications, the physical facilities now in place in Rexburg are adequate to handle the new program. Undoubtedly, some changes to the campus will be necessary. However·, they will be modest in nature and scppe.

BYU-Idaho's move to four year status will be phased in over a period of time and accomplished in such a way as to preserve the school's autonomy and identity. Adjustments to its mission will be minimal. The school will have a unique role in and be distinctive from the other institutions of higher education within the Church Educational System. For the immediate future, the president of BYU-Idaho will report directly to the Commissioner of the Church Educational System. BYU-Idaho will continue to be teaching oriented. Effective teaching and advising will be the primary responsibilities of its faculty, who are committed to academic excellence. The institution will emphasize undergraduate education and will award baccalaureate degrees; graduate degree programs will not be offered. Faculty rank will not be a part of the academic structure of the new four year institution BYU-Idaho will operate on an expanded year-round basis, Incorporating innovative calendaring and scheduling while also taking advantage of advancements in technology which will enable the four-year institution to serve more students. In addition, BYU-Idaho will phase out its involvement in intercollegiate athletics and shift its emphasis to a year-round activity program designed to involve and meet the needs of a diverse student body.

Of necessity, the new four-year institution will be assessing and restructuring its academic offerings. Predictably, the school will need to change and even eliminate some long-standing and beneficial programs as the school focuses upon key academic disciplines and activities. Specific programmatic details about and time lines for the change are presently being worked out. These details, which will be discussed with and approved by the Board of Trustees, will be announced at appropriate times in the future

God's Tiny Servant

Brenda was a young woman that wanted to learn rock climbing. Although she was scared to death, she went with a group. They faced this tremendous cliff of rock, practically perpendicular. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took hold of the rope and started up the face of that rock. Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on, whoever was holding the rope up at the top of the cliff made a mistake and snapped the rope against Brenda's eye, knocking out her contact lens. You know how tiny contact lenses are and how it is almost impossible to find one when you lose it.

Here she is on a rock ledge, with who knows how many hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping that she would be able to find that contact lens. Here she was very far from home. Her sight was now blurry. She was very upset by the fact that she was nowhere near a place where she could get a new contact lens. She prayed that the Lord would help her to find it. Well, her last hope was that perhaps when she got to the top of the cliff, one of the girls that was up at the top might be able to find her contact lens in the corner of her eye. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down with the other members of the party, waiting for the rest of them to come up the face of the cliff. She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of the Bible verse that says, ".........the eyes of the Lord run to and from throughout the whole earth. " (Zechariah 4:10) She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every single stone and leaf that's on these mountains and You know exactly where my contact lens is."

Finally, the time came to go down the mountain. They walked down the trail to the bottom. Just as they reached the bottom, there was a new party of rock climbers coming along. As one of the new climbers started up the face of the cliff, she shouted out, "Hey, you guys, anybody lose a contact lens?" That would be startling enough, wouldn't it? She had found the contact lens! But why she saw it was more amazing. An ant was carrying the contact so it was moving slowly across the face of the rock. What does that tell you about the God of the universe? Is He in charge of the tiniest things? Do ants matter to Him? Of course they do, He made them and He designed them.

Brenda told me that her father is a cartoonist. When she told him this incredible story, he drew a picture of that 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."

If God is in charge of the ants, don't you think He cares about you and me? I guess Solomon was right. One could learn a valuable lesson from that ant.........

TRUST IN GODI

We could probably all say a little more often, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. Still, if you want me to, I'll carry it for You."

(This is a great true story that actually happened at the Young Adult Reunion in Deer Park this year)

Letters "From the Dust"

From a recent letter from Elder Toone:

"I actually did get to participate a little in some missionary work. I went on a split with some missionaries and we went to visit the home of a couple in the ward who had been going to church regularly for the last 20 years, and paying their tithing for 10 years, but had never been baptized. We talked for a while and this missionary was very new in the field. After we had talked to them for about 15 minutes just about the weather and wind type of stuff he burst out with "So why haven't you beem baptized yet?". They just politely laughed, maybe at my expression, and explained that they hadn't felt the time had come just yet. I was now ready for the choro to ask them to read and pray about it again or something or read a scripture at least, but he got so scared that he just said, 'OK, well, we have to go now.' My jaw dropped. But just as I was about to try to take over his lesson, I had an impression and it hit me kind of hard. Leave it at that for now. I hesitated for a split second, and then the moment was gone as he stood up to leave. I felt I had betrayed myself, not done my job as a missionary, but I also sadly realized that although I was still a missionary, I was not a full-time one, and maybe he was getting inspiration I wasn't. About a month later, that couple stood up at their baptism and talked of how they had had experiences in the last months which had expressed to them that it was time to get baptized, one of which was that missionary's untrained yet sincere challenge. It was great to know that I got to be there, and just watch the Lord do his work through the simple and weak things of the world."

June Baptisms

Congratulations

Departures

July 6

Broadhead, Rodney
Hymas, Clark
Uchida, Hideaki
Plummer, Angela
Spendlove, Chelton

Arrivals

July 4

Balough, Michael
Spiller, Michael
Bateman, Brandon

July Birthdays