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