Figuerras Report of Fukuoka Temple

Transcript of Shorthand Notes Taken by Brother McCune during a Telephone
Conversation from President Cyril I. A. Figuerres, former President of the

Pres.Figuerres' Report:

When we arrived in Fukuoka, some of the members were waiting with a banner that read," Okaerinasai"
(WELCOME HOME!). Immediately, it felt like we had come home to wonderful friends and to a very
special place that feels like home to us.

We had refused to tell our member friends when we would arrive or which air carrier we were flying because we didn't want them to come to the airport late in the evening. However, they secretly inquired at several of the airlines and found out. They also found out that we were staying at the Hakata Green Hotel and they cancelled my reservations without our knowledge. These kind generous friends placed us in a hotel next to the Kumamoto Jo (castle)! We spent 2 memorable days in Kumamoto. On one evening, we had a glorious time meeting many of the members we had grown to love. Some came from Oita, a 3 hour trip, and as far away as Kagoshima. This was a special because we didn't have time to travel to those locations.
We had a Returned Missionary fireside in Fukuoka on Saturday the day before the temple dedication.
Presidents Dwayne Andersen, Suzuki, Kan Watanabe, Goro Yamada, Roy Tsuya, Sis. Shimizu, Cyril
Figuerres, and Dwight Pincock spoke. Every Returned Missionary and their families were introduced by
Stake President Yamashita.

For 2 1/2 hours after the reunion, we had the choice opportunity of mingling with local members and
non-members alike. We were shaking hands and had joy and reminiscing with those present. It went by like
it was 15 minutes.

The 3 highlights of our trip:

1st - One of the major highlights has to be the sheer joy of meeting literally hundreds of our old friends,
LDS members and nonmembers alike. On the day of the temple dedication we stood on the Temple grounds from Morning to evening, meeting eternal friends and renewing our friendships. After 6 years it was so joyuous to see converts (who were single adults then, now married and often with children), former missionaries who are stalwart leaders (e.g. branch presidents, or ward mission leaders), formerly disaffected
members (eg oyasumi kaiin) who together with their families are happily temple worthy.

2nd - Tsukaeru, yashinau (visiting and nurturing). Visiting those whom we love and who are suffering severe
health problems, sadness due to the passing of loved ones, discouraging times, and challenges with their testimonies.

Although we are not good at it, trying to help others feel of God's deep love and influence has to be one of
the high points of our trip.

3rd - The Temple dedication. It was the highlight. President Hinckley reminisced a lot about his experiences
in Japan. He said this trip to Fukuoka will probably be his last He talked of how the early Japanese saints
had to go to Hawaii for their temple ordinances.

He recalled the first Hawaii Temple Excursion and how the saints in Hawaii greeted the saints from Japan
with all the leis. He said he has never forgotten the display of love between the Saints of two different
cultures. Pres. Hinckley said that before he called on Jeffrey Holland, he would like three of us to speak.
Before that point, I was basking in the joy of the moment with a deep feeling of gratitude to my Heavenly
Father. On 3-4 occasions between 91-94, I had distinct impressions while praying and meditating that there
would be a temple in Kyushu and that it would be on the grounds of our current mission home and office.
There were few temples worldwide being built then and so I thought that at the current pace this holy temple
would be built 40 years or so later. I wondered if I would still be alive then. But thankfully, we have a living
Prophet, who a few years later, was inspired to begin the rapid construction of smaller temples. What
perhaps may have taken 40 years or so, has taken only six years! Pres. Hinckley's inspiration has
compressed that assumed timetable, bringing Temple blessings to the local Saints MUCH sooner!