The Light
Japan Kobe Mission: November 2000

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

Mission President's Message

Dear Missionaries,

Autumn is in the air with crisp evenings and the bright orange of the "khaki" trees. We see the rice harvest being completed in many areas of the mission and know that preparations for winter are in full progress. At a recent branch conference I asked the members what kind of harvest we would have this year in their area. Would it be rice only, or would it include sons and daughters of Heavenly Father? The field is truly white and our focus on investigators, new members, the less active and part members is already beginning to yield more investigators and yoteishas. For many missionaries these were not new concepts and you had already experienced their effectiveness. I want to thank all of you for your faithfulness in integrating this important focus area into your daily finding and activation efforts. As we use this more and more, our planning and skills will continue to improve and we will see the harvest increase dramatically.

I believe this is a true principle. Every time we learn and implement a true principle, we draw closer to the Spirit and our confidence "wax(es) strong in the presence of the God." (D&C 121:45) There are times, though when we feel that something is not right. We don’t see the results we expected from our missionary labors, or the language still isn’t coming, or our prayers seem hollow, or nothing seems to be going right with our companion, or we pray for guidance and feel empty. The examples are endless. In these times we often find our confidence waning, rather than waxing strong. And sometimes our desire to work also seems to be slipping away. There will always be challenges in this work as in any aspect of our life, but why does it seem so hard, sometimes, to find happiness? Why is it we have difficulty feeling good about ourselves? Why is it often hard to feel confident that we are doing what the Lord wants? Godly confidence and the changes each of us needs to make to achieve it will be a main topic in the November Zone Conferences. I believe this is an important next step in our growth as a mission.

Please approach this topic with an open heart for much of what is required comes in the form of sacrifice. Usually it is the sacrifice of things we are comfortable with and prefer to keep in our hearts, even though they are holding us back from receiving blessings the Lord desires to give us, including greater freedom and happiness than we have ever before experienced. Joseph Smith observed,"...that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation;..." (Lectures on Faith 6.7) Our willingness to sacrifice and make changes is essential to our growth process and our eternal happiness.

Jesus said to the Nephites, "And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit." (3 Nephi 9:20) Let’s learn about this together. I believe that if we do so, the result of this day will be the beginning of a greater closeness with Heavenly Father than we have ever known, together with increased confidence that we are being guided by the Spirit in our finding, teaching, baptizing and strengthening.

I pray that this may be the case, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

President Robertson

Sister Robertson's Message

Dear Wonderful Missionaries,

I love attending baptisms. I only wish I could attend all of them! This week I was fortunate enough to be at Izumi San’s baptism in Sekime. He had been looking for the truth all of his life.....and he is 70. It made me contemplate how very fortunate we are at younger ages to know life’s purpose, the plan of salvation, and that we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows us by name and is mindful of each of our situations. (I don’t know how He keeps track of all of us so well, but I know He does.)

At one time, I decided that it didn’t really matter when people heard the gospel, early or late in their lives. (I was using that as an excuse for being a lazy member missionary at the time.) Then, I was asked to be an escort to the temple for a Grandma who had been a member just one year. As we walked into the Washington Temple, she started to cry and then not only bore fervent testimony to me, but explained how she wished she had known the gospel when her children were young. I repented of my previous "Lazy thoughts" as I "put myself in her place" so to speak. I am very grateful I had the gospel to help raise my children when they were young and to help them get their own testimonies more readily! So dear missionaries........gambarumashoo! You’re doing a great service.....even on days when it doesn’t feel like that.

Now, November in Japan is just as wonderful as all the other months. The official holiday for the month is on November 23rd. It is termed "Labor Thanksgiving Day" and is a combination appreciation of workers and celebration of the harvest. It is primarily observed by resting from one’s labors. But the November day that I enjoy most happens the previous week on Nov. 15th. This is Shichi-go-san. You’re right. That means 7-5-3 day. That’s when Japan’s most beautiful resources (those darling children) are dressed up in kimono and hakama and pictures are taken. It’s an excellent day to visit a shrine with a camera and do some "friendly dendo" with children and their families. "See the Japan Times Article about this annual event.)

And for Eikaiwa ideas. You can teach lessons about thankfulness and gratitude since many cultures celebrate the harvest this month. You can ask each student to give a sentence or paragraph or entire paper (depending on level of proficiency) about things for which they are thankful. You can make miniature pumpkin pies to sample and share the recipe. Children’s classes can make turkey apples (call me if you want more info on that.) You can also teach lessons of jobs, careers, and their names and duties to celebrate the official labor holiday. The honbu staff has been quite successful recently in developing a syllabus with 15 lessons drilling important conversational phrases. Check with them for a good long term program. And don’t forget to teach an easy song. You might even ask students to bring in a picture of themselves from their own childhood celebrations of shichi-go-san and tell something about their childhood for which they are thankful.

Well, whatever you do, plan well. We have had a number of places reporting increased attendance at Eikaiwa primarily because you’ve been doing some quality teaching. (Word of mouth is even better than chirashi.) And our baptisms from Eikaiwa are also increasing. No surprise. People love the missionaries and the happy, clean, mature, disciplined image you present. Then they start to wonder what makes you that way week after week. Then their "ground is plowed and the seed is ready for planting." I know this because I read a lot of conversion stories and this is a very common pattern. So, keep doing quality jobs at Eikaiwa (and elsewhere) and don’t forget to maintain a good missionary image, a very common key to conversion.’‘Well, that’s enough motherly advice for now don’t you think? Unless you need any of the following:

• Stay warm
• Clean apartments every week
• NEVER CHEW GUM IN PUBLIC (Not good for image, believe me!)
• Use trained hair cutters (as much as possible)
• Don’t forget we love you!

Love, Sister R

Missionary Image

We are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. Page 14 of the white Missionary Handbook reminds us that we should keep our appearance suitable for this calling. This will strengthen what we say and will help earn the respect and trust of those with whom we work. As we focus on obtaining referrals, this becomes doubly important. Standard missionary dress for Elders is business suits with white shirts and conservative ties, dark socks and dress shoes. These are to be worn to all meetings unless directed otherwise by your mission president.

Acceptable deviations from this standard are as follows:

Suit jackets may be removed during hot weather, when Japanese men are also without their jackets.

Conservative, single color V-neck sweaters may be worn underneath a suit jacket in cold weather, but should not be worn without a jacket and should not be long enough to be seen below the bottom of the jacket.

Overcoats may be worn over a suit jacket in cold weather but should not be worn without a jacket.

We appreciate your continued diligence in representing the Lord in a dignified manner.

Gordon B Hinckley, Prophet

Gratitude is a Sign of Maturity

Gratitude is a sign of maturity. It is an indication of sincere humility. It is a hallmark of civility. And most of all, it is a divine principle. I doubt there is anything in which we more offend the Almighty than in our tendency to forget His mercies and to be ungrateful for that which He has given us.

Where there is appreciation, there is also courtesy and concern for the rights and property of others. Without these, there is arrogance and evil. Where there is gratitude, there is humility instead of pride, generosity rather than selfishness.

We would do well to get on our knees and thank the Almighty for His bounties. We would do well, also, to cultivate within ourselves a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life itself and for the marvelous gifts and privileges we enjoy. The Lord has said that "the meek shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5) It is difficult to escape the interpretation that, rather than an attitude of self-sufficiency, meekness implies a spirit of gratitude, an acknowledgment of greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God and an acceptance of His commandments and inspired way of living. Gratitude is the beginning of wisdom. Stated differently, true wisdom cannot be obtained unless it is built on a foundation of true humility and gratitude.

Teachings from Spencer W. Kimball

Procrastination

Procrastination - thou wretched thief of time and opportunity!

When will men stand true to their one-time inspired yearnings?

Let those take care who postpone the clearing of bad habits and of constructively doing what they ought. "Some day I’ll join the Church," says one. "I’ll cease my drinking soon," says another. "One day I’ll smoke no more," others pledge. "Some day we’ll be ready for our temple sealings," promise a delayed-action husband and wife. "Some day, when they apologize, I’ll forgive those who injured me," small souls would say. "Some day I’ll get my debts paid." "We’ll get around soon to having our family prayers, and next week we’ll start our home evenings." "We shall start paying tithing from our next pay check."

Tomorrow -- yes, tomorrow.

(General Conference April 1966)

Great Truths About Life that Little Children Have Learned

No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize a cat.

When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don’t let her brush your hair.

If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back, they always catch the second person.

Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.

You can’t trust dogs to watch your food.

Reading what people write on desks can teach you a lot.

Don’t sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a tic tac.

Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.

School lunches stick to the wall.

You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

Don’t wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.

The best place to be when you are sad is in Grandma’s lap.

Kids Say the Cutest Things

The kindergarten teacher was showing her class an encyclopedia page picturing several national flags. She pointed to the American flag and asked, "What flag is this?" A little girl called out, "That’s the flag of our country." "Very good," the teacher said. ":And what is the name of our country?" "Tis of thee," the little girl said confidently.

After putting her children to bed, a mother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. At last she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with a stern warning. As she left the room, she heard her three-year-old say with a trembling voice,"Who was that?"

Two little boys were visiting their grandfather, and he took them to a restaurant for lunch. They couldn’t make up their minds about what they wanted to eat. Finally the grandfather grinned at the server and said, :Just bring them bread and water.: One of the little boys looked up and quavered, "Can I have ketchup on it?"

A new neighbor asked the little girl next door if she had any brothers and sisters. She replied, "No, I’m the lonely child."

A little girl was diligently pounding away on her father’s word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What’s it about"?" he asked. "I don’t know," she replied. "I can’t read."

A mother was telling her little girl what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods. The little girl was wide-eyed taking this in. At last she said, "I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner!"

I didn’t know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me, and always she was correct. But it was fun for me, so I continued. At last she headed for the door, saying sagely, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!"

October Baptisms

November Mensetsus

November Taikais

Voices From the Dust

November is a month to be thankful. We are very thankful that we continue to hear from our beloved (and never forgotten) returned missionaries. Here is some more news from those who have survived the BIG transfer (home).

Amakasu Choro is being a model of patience with his nonmember family. (Please don’t take him off your prayer list. He has a lot of BRT-ing to do in his own home!) He’s been having informal FHE’s with them and appreciates all prayers dedicated to his success. He has also been speaking to various groups on many occasions and has had the pleasure of communicating with Elder Masters (we haven’t heard from him recently, though, but we’re learning patience from former Elder A!)

Goto Choro e-mailed us very recently about the buttons bursting off his shirt. Seems he is now the proud father of little Tomoe. Congratulations to baby girl, Mom and Dad. He is also working hard (he says he’s an eternal missionary) as a dendoshunin in the Fukuoka area. Loves the missionary work. Loves bein’ a Dad! And speaking of Fathers........

Node Choro and his wife are expecting their first not long after Oshogatsu. He is one of the ones we got to speak with during the Mission Reunion in Orem, Utah in October (before the kibishii dendobucho required us to go leave for Zone Taikai -- which we also love -- so it was OK.) Great to hear from this wonderful couple recently transferred from the U of U to BYU.

Perry Choro and his wife, Emily, are also at BYU Provo, having transferred from the new BYU, Idaho. Elder Perry is majoring in Political Science and we suspect Emily is kept busy keeping her poli sci doryoo in line (just kidding) Perry Choro was also checking up on Sister R’s Nihongo. "Ready yet for the Master Pass Off?’ Moving right along.......

Pusey Choro also sounded great on the other end of the Reunion Phone pass around. Didn’t hear of any special doryoos but did hear that wonderful voice that we still miss. Write us some more Elder P!

Quiton Choro and his wife hosted an exchange student from Sanno College for a week and got them pumped for Eikaiwa on return. He is busy supporting his family by working hard every day but thinking of (maybe planning a trip to Japan in the future.) He also continues to send us very thought-provoking stories and interesting articles on the internet. Thanks Quiton Ch.

Sugawara Shimai continues to help out each week at Eikaiwa and finds it easy to friendship the nonmembers who attend, thereby assisting the full time missionaries. She also continues her great personal service of playing the piano at a retirement home so older people can join in singing songs they all know and love. And that’s not all.....she teaches the 12 and 13 year-olds in Sunday School. Now, that’s a great service!

Suzuki Shimai is doing well and working full time at a bank. She continues, along with her siblings, to take care of her family’s Bountiful, UT home while their parents are serving as Mission President and Mom in the Tokyo South Mission. Gambatte, Suzuki Sh!

Nakaya Choro & Zeeman Choro have both visited us here in Japan recently. So good to see them. Nakaya Choro is working part time and getting ready to work on his degree in business as well as his private pilot’s license so he can fulfill his dream of opening his own helicopter business. Zeeman Choro is still a diligent (kinben) student. He’s living at home and working in his ward with the youth (lucky youth!) Holding the women at bay for now and we suspect probably out in the hills with his plaid shirt by now.

Well, love to hear from you RM’s. Send us any advice you have. Most common advice to date is to "appreciate the blessings of a mission" and "don’t waste any time." Gambatte. Don’t forget we love you and also don’t ;forget to pray daily for our success here in Kansai! Love to hear about those miracles as well (hint!)

Biblical Questions and Answers

History of the Church in Japan

By mid-1968 Japan had nearly twelve thousand Japanese Mormons in fifty-one branches and ten districts. Missionary numbers were well over two hundred, and there was obviously too much for one mission president to handle. The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve decided to divide the mission. Shortly before President Komatsu was to return home, the First Presidency changed the General Authority supervision of the area. Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Twelve and Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the First Council of the Seventy were assigned to lead the Asian Missions. On June 15, 1968, Elder Benson, in a letter to President Komatsu, asked him to begin preparing for a division of the mission by adding another set of assistants, another mission secretary and commissarian, and by moving the missionaries around so that both missions would have people of equal ability.

Walter R. Bills, a former missionary in the Central Pacific Mission, replaced President Komatsu in mid-July, 1968. The next month Edward Y. Okazaki and his wife, Chieko, both converts of the Central Pacific Mission, who now lived in Denver, Colorado, arrived to take control of the new mission. On September 1, 1968, the Northern Far East Mission was divided to become the Japan Mission with headquarters in Tokyo, and the Japan-Okinawa Mission, with headquarters in Osaka. With the division of the mission Japan entered a new area of Church history, the contemporary period institutional development. Following 1968, the missions in Japan grew so rapidly and the stakes multiplied so quickly that it is not possible here to plot the course and development of all missions and stakes.

Although the Church announced its participation in Expo ‘70, the Japan World Exposition, in November 1968, by that time more than a year of planning and negotiations had taken place. On October 16, 1967, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley and President Komatsu went to the offices of the Osaka International World’s Fair, where they discussed with officials the possibility of a Mormon exhibit. The officials told Elder Hinckley that they would sell space only on the outer perimeter, but he showed little interest in that idea.

Other meetings followed, with Komatsu and local leaders doing the legwork. Then, in April 1968, Elder Hinckley, Komatsu, Watanabe, Iami, and Marvin Harding, building supervisor, agreed upon a site, 100 square meters, that was among the Japanese exhibits. Elder Hinckley was especially concerned that the Church would have a Japanese rather than an American image.

On May 2, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve approved participation and allotted $300,000 for the project. Before long, final architectural drawings and plans were under way.

Emil B. Fetzer, Church architect, designed the pavilion, a modern Oriental building having two stories. Its main feature was its spire, capped with an eight-foot fiberglass replica of the Angel Moroni statue that adorns the Salt Lake Temple and many other temples. The ground floor provided an assembly area, offices, and two displays, one on Japanese family life and the other a twelve-foot marble replica of Thorvaldsen’s masterpiece, the Christus. On the second floor, visitors were conducted through a Creation room, a Plan of Salvation room, a Life of Christ room, and Restoration of the Gospel room. They were then taken into one of two theaters which were showing the movie, "Man’s Search for Happiness."

The ground breaking for the pavilion took place in May 1969. Elder Ezra Taft Benson presided while important civic and Expo ‘70 officials as well as three hundred members and friends looked on. He told the assembled crowd that the Mormon pavilion would give the Church the opportunity to explain its history, doctrines, and programs and to make clear that the Mormon Church was a world Church with a world message.

Nine months later the building, which was constructed largely of materials that could be re-used in other LDS buildings, was ready for use. All that remained to be done was to install the displays and movable facilities. Everything was in readiness by March 13, one day before the official opening of the exposition. On that day President Hugh B. Brown offered the dedicatory prayer on the building and the project workers. Other important Church leaders were also there: Elders Ezra Taft Benson and Gordon B. Hinckley of the Council of the Twelve and Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, Assistant to the Twelve. Elder Brockbank, who had directed previous exhibits in New York and Texas, was assigned to be commissioner for this pavilion. He was assisted by Mission Presidents Bills and Okazaki.

From a missionary point of view the setting for the pavilion could not have been better. It was next door to the Japanese national exhibit and close to the Russian and United States exhibits. People thronged to the Mormon Pavilion. During the six months of the exposition, 6,658,532 people went through the building, and 780,000 left their names and addresses on the registers, expressing a willingness to have missionaries call at their homes. A total of 852,000 more people visited the Mormon exhibit in Japan in six months than visited the Mormon exhibit in New York in two years.

The message of the pavilion was different from those of all other exhibits. While national and business pavilions centered their messages on the material and technical progress of mankind, the Church centered on the divinity of Jesus Christ, the reality of a living God, the importance of the Book of Mormon, the plan of salvation, and the role of the family in that eternal scheme. The guides were missionaries, generally American and Japanese members. The American missionaries surprised many with their fluent Japanese (as well as Korean and Chinese) and impressed them with their cleanliness, courtesy, and obvious love for the Asian people.

Beyond the attractiveness of the missionaries, the Church had gone to extra efforts to provide appropriate literature for the visitors from the major nations of Asia. Copies of the Book of Mormon were available not only in Japanese (50,000 copies sold) but also in Korean and Chinese. Tracts and pamphlets too were available, as were several other books. Undoubtedly the most impressive part of the pavilion tour was the showing of "Man’s Search for Happiness," a movie depicting man’s journey through life and meaning of that experience. W.O.Whitaker and motion picture staff of Brigham Young University Studio traveled to Japan to produce the film in Japanese, with Japanese actors. After Expo ‘70 closed, the film became an important missionary tool in Japan.

November Birthdays

New Missionaries

Departing Missionaries

Mission Secretary Message

Dear Special Missionaries:

I received this little bit of words of wisdom the other day and thought I’d like to pass it on to you. It gave me some things I need to work on:

I’ve learned...that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned...that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned...that being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned...that I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help in some other way.

I’ve learned...that the best classroom is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned...that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned...that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to just act goofy with.

I’ve learned...that just like gossip, letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than trying to put it back.

Though my hair has turned to silver and my skin no longer fits, on the inside I’m the same old me-- just the outside’s changed a bit.

Have a wonderful month and don’t forget to write home every week. It’s amazing when we write, how many letters we get in return.

Love, Sister Pyper

Hi, Missionaries!!

Well, it’s time to think about Thanksgiving and all that we have to be thankful for while we are doing the work the Lord has called us to do. We should be thankful for our good health. Thankful for our families back home that continue to support us and write to us. Thankful for these wonderful Japanese people that befriend us and do many things for us to make this mission easier and more productive. We should be thankful for President and Sister Robertson and the countless hours they work to teach us the meaning of our missions and the gospel in its sweetest form. We should be thankful for our great companions and what they put up with. Us. We should be thankful that we have a roof overhead and warm clothes to wear and good food to eat. There are millions of people in this wide world that don’t have any of these things. We should be thankful that God looks down upon us and showers us with all the blessings that He can. President Monson in a recent article wrote of an "attitude of gratitude" that we as Latter-Day Saints ought always to have. Share that attitude with all you meet and keep a smile on your face when you do. There are not many people who can say no when you are smiling. Try it!

We love you always!!

Elder Pyper

Message from the AP Tachi

What’s up fellow nation thrashers? We’d just like to take up a little space and tell everybody about all the amazing things happening around the mission. The Lord is simply opening up doors. A couple weeks back we were able to go to Kyoto & Kita’s Zone Taikai which ended with an extremely spiritual baputesumakai. It was so cool to see another choice soul bear her testimony and express thanks to all the missionaries and members that helped her come unto her savior Jesus Christ through baptism. It just happens that at that same taikai we talked about the importance of member dendo and at the baputesumakai, when she expressed her thanks to the members who had helped her, it put some nice tasty icing on the cake. So how’s everybody been doing in seeking referrals the way we learned at Taikai? We hope everybody has caught the vision and is seeking to double baptisms through referrals. This is what the Lord is telling the mission to do and we know that if we honestly and earnestly endeavor to do ti, the Lord will bless us like crazy. Let’ keep it up. Also, we’d like to really express our thanks to all of you out there. It’s so amazing to hear all the good stuff happening around Zion (aka Japan Kobe Mission). The work is moving and there’s nothing that’s going to slow us down. In D&C 1:5 it says this: "karera(us) o todomeru nono wa inai." We have no need to fear, there isn’t anything that can stop us. In the words of Elijah, "Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16) We’re winning this battle and if you ever feel that we’re losing, pick up a church news and you’ll see that the gospel is sweeping every nation and that the Lord and us are not only winning but we’re dominating. This is what it’s all about. Let’s keep our single to the glory of God and keep thrashin’ this wonderful nation in His power.

Love, your humble servants,

Elder Yergensen & Elder Potter

Message from the Recorder

Hey Elders and Sisters,

Thanks for working so hard out here in the Japan Kobe Mission. Things have really been boomin’ this month.

Lately we’ve been trying to improve the chirashi situation. Sometimes Missionaries don’t know exactly what they have or what they would like us to make for them. Some missionaries would like new chirashi’s made. One thing that would help us is when you order chirashi’s, please be specific as to what you want your chirashi to look like. Also we like to be able to deliver the chirashi’s to you at mensetsu’s or at taikai. If you are running low, please plan ahead so that we can get you some chirashi’s at those times. This would help us out a lot too.

Also, some missionaries and/or members are not sure of how to turn in their baptism and confirmation records. OK, so here's the plan! On the very day that the new member is confirmed, the senior missionary and his companion must not leave the church until they have the original copies of both baptism and confirmation records in their hands (unless of course you already have the baptism record). Soon after you should first fax them both to me and then send them by mail. This is very important and it helps me out a lot.

That’s about all. Keep up the hard work.

Elder Heywood

Mission Supply Manager’s Corner

We have recently entered into winter haven’t we? However, as expected the genki Aoyama Choro will not lose to the cold. That is why I have one request. That is, if you were to say easily, My forgetfulness has gotten severe so please follow-up! Especially, if you have things you want taken to Zone Conference or interviews. Please say it something like this, "Hey, Aoyama Choro, you remember to bring my........right?" O.K.! Everybody please tell me whatever necessary thing it is that you need. As much as I can, I want to get things done as fast as I can. But, everyone, take good care of yourselves and please be careful.

Love from my heart,

Elder Aoyama

Sponge Cake

2/3 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla

mix well with electric mixer at least 2 minutes.

Add 2 eggs. Mix again.

2 ½ cups flour*
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder

Alternate adding flour and 1 to 1½ cups of milk or water. 

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 F or 194 C.

* If possible get the good/high grade flour (It usually costs 60 yen more per bag.) There is Koriki Ko and one other kind. It makes a big difference in texture and taste.

Snickerdoodles

Several people requested the recipe for the sugar cookie served at Zone Taikais in October. New missionaries who have copies of the mission cookbook in their binders already have a recipe for Snickerdoodles. But, for those who still need one, here it comes:

1 cup shortening*
2 tsp cream of tartar**
1 ½ cups sugar
1 tsp. Baking soda
2 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
2 3/4 cups flour
sugar/cinnamon mix

Heat oven to 400 degrees F, which is 200 degrees Celsius. Mix the shortening, sugar, and eggs thoroughly. In a different bowl measure the flour and stir in cream of tartar, soda, and salt. Blend the dry ingredients well and then add to the shortening/sugar/egg mixture. Stir all together until well blended. Form in 1" balls. Roll each in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon (About 2 tbsp of sugar to 2 tsp cinnamon or less according to taste). Place about 2" apart (because they spread out a lot) on an ungreased baking sheet (or spray with a non-stick spray). Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Makes about 5 to 6 dozen cookies.

*Shortening in Japan is sold in small plastic squeeze bottles like the ones mayonnaise comes in. You’ll need a couple for a recipe. If you want, the Honbu can purchase large cans of Crisco for you at the gaijin stores in Kobe. They are 800 yen each.

**Cream of tartar is not commonly found on store shelves in Japan. Many people have opted to just leave this ingredient out. However, if you would like some from the gaijin store let us know. Not sure what the price is. (Gomen ne?)

Have a Very Happy Thanksgiving from the Folks in the Honbu