Good Week - Lots of Love

Hello everyone from where it`s nice, sunny, and very Japanese!

Things are going well and we`re continuing to see some great things. Our good, progressing investigator, Yoshimi, is doing very well. We taught him about the plan of salvation this last Friday and it went really well. He had lots of questions and with the help of a very good member, we were able to answer them. When we started talking about our pre-earth life – he was shocked that we knew where we were. Buddhism believes rather strongly in a “zensei” or before-life. Thus, it is very easy to explain that they are right, we did exist before we came here – eternally in fact – but that instead of having lots of different bodies, we only have one. After the lesson, he said that he thought it was true. He still needs some time to accept and then act on our message, but my hope is very high.

We talked to lots of people this week – almost double the numbers I had last transfer. Elder Drake and I have really been feeling the tired settle in at the end of the day. Leaving the apartment at 10:30, and knocking houses straight until 8:30 or so has led us to almost fall asleep as we walk in the door. Nevertheless, the Lord is with us. It is the Spirit that rejuvinates and regenerrates the body – and I have certainly felt that waking up the next morning.

This last Tuesday, we got on a train at 8:40, rode for three hours to get to the Mission home in Nagoya, where we had a meeting with Elder Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve. His talk was fantastic and inspiring. He talked about the sun and how we should use its symbolism each day. As we come home, let all the worry and mistakes of the day set with the sun. There`s nothing we can do but repent and do better. Then, the next morning, let the sun rise and us too, rise to new heights and do our very best for another day.

He talked about repentance and hope. He tlaked about the joy of diligent labor and the truthfulness of our message. He talked about leaving to come to Japan. As he walked towards his car, President Hinkley called out, “Hey Dieter, where are you going?” Elder Uchtdorf then said to us, `it`s President Hinkley, that`s how he talks to me,` replying to Pres Hinkley he said, “Japan.” Then President Hinkley said, “Oh I wish I could go with you. I love those people so much. Send my love to everyone you talk with.” There are stories from about twenty years ago that Pres. Hinkley – then Elder Hinkley, would come and sit on the tatami mats and there kneeling, talk with missionaries and members in Japan.

Elder Uchtdorf, concluded his talk with a powerful testomony. Just as he closed, I felt the Spirit enter into my heart and it witnessed, yet again, that what he was saying – the great message we are sharing – is true. He then, with his wife, shook everyone`s hand. I think it was when the ten or so Japanese Sister Missionaries came up, and in there much practiced English said, “thank you,” that Elder Uchtdorf started to cry. It was a most profound experience I will never forget. The Spirit in love that came upon that room was indescribable. It is that Spirit of love I want all to feel – that I am laboring as best I know how, for other to feel.

And so, as it always does and always will, the work rolls forth. House by house, lesson by lesson, heart to heart, we`ll bring the world His truth. It has been a long, hot, hard week. But I think it`s been a blessing. Without the trials, you and I really can`t understand the blessings. The more bitter the meal, the sweeter the dessert. Sometimes I think that a mission is in a large part simply a big long list of trials that I go through in hopes of being sanctified. However, it is more. Again this week, I read Alma 26:27 and felt that promise to be true. This is how I read it - Now when my hearts is depressed, and I am about to turn back, behold, the Lord will comfort me, and say: Go amongst thy brethren, the Japanese, and bear with patience thy afflictions, and I will give unto you success. I know this is a true promise. Saving souls is the hardest work there is – but it is also the most rewarding. I know the Book of Mormon is a true and factual book. It`s promises are true and it speaks of the true and living God. He will help me, and that means helping me grow too.

Please remember me in your prayers – or rather those around me who are prepared to receive the restored gospel, that their hearts will be softened and be open to receive it. Thank for your love and support from home.

Always,

Elder Alexander Todd Fuller
Japan Nagoya Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Getting Down To Work

Good afternoon from Komatsu,

So this past week was fantastic. Elder Drake is a great companion and we have been working hard. Both of us have want to just get down to business and work the hardest we can - and it is already starting to pay off. From the four days we`ve been working together, we`ve found four people who want us to come back and teach more. We now walk with purpose knowing that there are those who are prepared and waiting. Coming to a point in which I not only trust the Lord, but expect good things to come about as well - inspite of what seems the obstacles before me, is something I am only begin to learn. However, as we go forth and let the Spirit guide us, miracles truly are coming to pass.

Saturday night, an eight-year-old angel girl was baptized. We brought Mr. Yoshimi and attended it with him. Although he didn`t recognize the Spirit, he did say that everyone there looked so happy. What a great impression of the Christ`s church - happy people. Indeed, the Saints in Japan are so much different from everyone else. They know who Jesus is and they let that knowledge bring joy into their life. I love the members here because they show the joy in their entire souls of the blessing from serving God.

One particulary interesting experience we had this past week was visiting a hospitol in Kanazawa. A twenty-four year old member in our ward is studying colligraphy from an old sensei who this week was diagnosised with an aneurysm. We went to the hospitol to see him since he had earlier asked us to give him a blessing. Though he knew nothing of Christ, nothing of God or His plan for us, he was so happy to see us. His eyes lit up seeing our ward member, Brother Watanabe, and us two foreigners, more than anyone else`s visit. Elder Drake read him the Beadditudes from Matthew and we expressed our concern for his health. This old man, perhaps at the end of his life, is finding peace in coming to knowledge of his savior. The elderly seem to be playing a large part of my mission so far.

One crazy thing about Komatsu is the weather. It goes from nice and sunny to rain that can drown you in about ten minutes. That same transition happened about three times this last thursday. Oh well, it just makes proselyting more fun.

Well tomorrow I get to sit at the feet of an apostle, Elder Uctdorf, and hear his council for this area of the Lord`s vineyard. I have been looking forward to it for quite some time and have been working to prepare myself spiritually for such an event.

Thanks for your love and letters from home. I love you all and hope that you may continue in the faith,

Yours,

Elder Alexander Todd Fuller
Japan Nagoya Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Happy Mothers' Day

So Mothers` Day isn`t a real holiday here I don`t think. Our topic in church this week was keeping the sabbath day holy - and mothers weren`t even mentioned. Kind of silly, but oh well. I did get to call home though, and that was fun.

My family still contains the most amazing people in the world...and Aimee is alright as well :)

But seriously, it was good to talk with them and to know they are safe and in the Lord`s care. I don`t have to worry about them too much, and it`s good to be able to focus. I do love and miss them though.

So this week had all kinds of fun adventures. My companion, Elder Seely, returns to America on thursday, so there has been a lot of packing going on. However, we still were able to teach quite a few people.

Thursday night, we were picked up by a member very late - about 10pm - to visit his Chinese character teacher. His teacher had been sick for three weeks and actually had an aneurism or too it turns out. He asked us to give him a blessing, which we did, and then explained what it was. We taught him about God and Christ and that through faith we can be healed if it is God`s will. What an amazing opportunity to have someone reach out for help and find Christ. He is now in the hospitol and doing alright. Our prayers are with him.

This weekend was the big yearly festival in Komatsu. On top of portable shrines that they carry throughout the city, children perform Kaboki - kind of like Japanese shakeshpere. We went to one yesterday and laughed the entire time. It`s hard to describe it, but it felt like a cartoon rather than real life. Everything is commically overdramatic and they all speak samurai japanese which sounds a lot like chinese (I`m sure it would probably sound the same to you, but still, it was weird to me.) The performers were all girls from 3rd grade to 6th grade - and they did a marvelous job. When they were done walking through the crowd, they of course ran over to see us Americans and giggled and smiled at us.

Last night we had a farewell dinner with some members and their friends. Elder Seely played the violin, we both sang for everyone, and then we shaed a message on Christ. It was a woderful evening and those who came all wanted to know more about Christ and the Book of Mormon.

Transfer calls were today - I`m getting a Elder from Australia - Elder Drake. He is around seven feet tall and one of the skinniest guys I have ever seen. I am very excited to start working with him tomorrow - there are going to be some fantastic miracles the next couple months.

This sunday I have to give a talk based on John 15:16. I have been working on it a bit, but I think I am going to focus instead on 3 Nephi 28. The question I had to ask myself is this, `Am I enduring to the end or am doing everything I can to bring souls unto Christ?` perhaps I am doing alright now, but what about when I am not a missionary? I hope I can be like the Three Nephites and desire more than anything to bring souls unto Christ for my entire life - for there is no greater work.

I love you all. Stay strong and shine your light.

Yours,

Elder Alexander Todd Fuller
Japan Nagoya Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Ye Receive No Witness Until After The Trial Of Your Faith

"And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." -Ether 12:6

"Shinko tte nani papa?" "Father, what is faith?"

My dear friends and family, it is good to write to you once again. This last week has been full of miracles and the witnesses of faith.

Starting this last monday, we knocked on houses as usual and nothing of note happened. However, we got home and recieved a nice phone call. Mr. Yoshimi, whom had been busy for the last couple of weeks, called and ask to meet with us again. He had studying the Book of Mormon and had lots of questions. However, in order to meet, he was going to need to move around his work schedule. Now, in Japan, that just doesn`t happen, the office always comes first. However, he said he would make it possible, even if he needed to take time off even. What a flame of hope that was and pressed us forward. We`ll meet with him this thursday.

The days continued and we found some very nice people. We visited a giant gold Buddha statue - 78 meters tall, and checked that out. Also, we have been working on our teaching abilities in Japanese and our lessons at people`s doors are getting better and better. We pressed on through the rain and clouds.

Saturday was a special day - annual ward Barbeque day! We went up into the mountains and had a fantastic barbeque - except it was a little different. Instead of the usual hamburgers, we had yakisoba - a noodle type food that you mix with meet and barbeque. It was so good, and I ate much more than I ever should have. One of our Eikaiwa students came and we had a great time together. We played games and got lots of sun, and then came home.

We wre exhausted, and it was only five o`clock. Somehow, we managed to get out the door again. We visited a phillipino member, made sure her family was good, and then for the last couple hours of the day, proselyted in her area.

It poceeded normally - teaching some good lessons, but nothing special. And then, we knocked on another house. A young man answered the door, and then ran and got his mom yelling, "Gaijin san" which literally translated means "Mr. Foreigner." - i always like that one.

A very cheerful lady came to the door and listened to what we had to share - "After centuries of being lost, the truth about God and families have been restored to the earth by a loving Heavenly Father through a living prophet. The Book of Mormon is evidence of this that you can hold in your hands, read, and ponder. To personally know that his message is true, you can pray to God and ask for yourself." This is of course a bit longer in Japanese, but it`s one of the basic short lessons we teach. At this point, I usually pull out a Morumon Sho and show it to them. However, when I pulled it out this time, something a little different happened.

She exclaimed, "Yomitai yomitai! Doko de kau koto ga dekimasu ka?" Which in Enlgish is "I want to read, I want to read, where can I buy one?" So that was a little different, and quite surprising. She went on to explain that a long time ago, one of her sons` teachers had talk about the Book of Mormon and had recommended it highly to get an idea of who Christ was. This lady had read part of it and had liked it quite a bit - it was easier for her to understand than the Bible. However, for years now she had wanted to actually buy a copy and read it - though she had no idea where to that.

The entire time we talked, she was practically grabbing the book from my hands. When finally we handed it to her, and she asked how much it was, she was amazed that not only was it free but that we could come back and teach her about it. We meet with her this friday.

And so the work moves forward. The field really is white already to harvest, and the Book of Mormon is our sickle.

Sometimes, in those deep and dark hours, I wonder if there really are people prepared for us to find. There are. And after we have proved our faith, we recieve the blessings from it. I am so excited to teach these wonderful people full of questions - honest and intelligent questions - about Christ and His church.

I love you all so much, and though I miss you, I love being a missionary in Japan. "They shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." To be gather His fold in Japan is such a blessing.

That we may always hear His voice is my prayer,

with love,

Elder Alexander Todd Fuller
Japan Nagoya Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints