The Light
"Japan Kobe Mission: A Zion Mission"
October 1999

"they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them." --Moses 7:18


President's Message

Dear Missionaries,

Elders and Sisters, I want to thank each of you individually for the faithful efforts you are making to contribute to a Zion mission. A Zion mission is a collection of Zion individuals, working as Zion companionships in Zion districts and zones. A Zion mission is not a place, it is a way of life for missionaries who have committed themselves to fully serving the Lord while they wear the black name tag of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As Zion missionaries, we know who we are. We are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, our creator, our savior, our friend. Them is no greater place to be than hem in the Japan Kobe Mission, bringing souls to Christ.

We have had continued success as we have moved through 1999. Most of our districts are seeing baptisms every month. The average is a little over 16 from 19 districts. This is wonderful. This is a testimony to your hard work, to your increased skill in finding, teaching, resolving concerns and baptizing, and to your excellent relationships with the leaders of your wards and branches and with the members. I feel impressed that we are working at about the best level we can, but we're not yet working at the level the Lord can. We talk about "Kami to tomo ni, nan demo dekiru", and we see miracles frequently. But the Lord has prepared more for us.

Joseph Smith once said, "When I find out what the Lord wants me to do, I do itl" I testify that the Lord wants the missionaries in the Japan Kobe Mission to teach, baptize and retain more than 20 people every month. So let's go do it! Since the beginning of May he has sent us 26 additional fine missionaries to accomplish this work. Over and over we hear of Bishops and Branch presidents who have caught the vision of member missionary work and are training their leaders and members to find investigators for us to teach. Our language skills are improving, our teaching skills are improving. We are working hard.

Now we need to truly believe that we can reach and maintain this new level. Moroni taught us how. "Behold I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth." (Mormon 9:21) Last month we talked and testified about Jesus Christ as our creator, redeemer and friend. Let us take that increased knowledge and testimony and ask the Father, in the name of Christ, for the support he has promised. Let us leave behind our own "best level" end go forward, doubting nothing, to bring souls unto him at "his level". I love you all. I know we can do it!

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

President Robertson.


Dear Wonderful Missionaries,

Sometimes I find it hard to remember to be a Zion type of citizen. It encourages me to read that Enoch's people took a while to fully change for the better--but they did. I envision them being patient with each other while lesser attitudes and behaviors were replaced by better ones. Those waiting for others to grow probably learned valuable lessons in discipleship too, like long-suffering, and love unfeigned, etc. Anyway, as we try hard to develop our own Zion, I'm very grateful to see and experience the growth, but also to see and experience the mercy and patience extended to "slower growers"-- (like me).

Now, as for October...have you felt the cool morning air? Isn't it great? The official holiday this month is on October 10th which is a Sunday. Therefore, the celebration of TAIKU NO HI will occur on Monday the 11th. (See the Japan Times article about this holiday.) Somewhere around this day, almost every school will have an athletic meet. Maybe you can attend your local school event. It should provide good exposure and fellowship opportunities. Physical fitness and sports are natural topics for Eikaiwa, You could:

I think I will teach my class the song: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and review the tango and hatsuon before actually singing it.

Should you decide to have a Halloween Party, please remember, "no masks" and emphasize the games and fun part of Halloween more than the scary stuff. We don't want anyone mistakenly thinking we have a thing about occult devils or such.

Right around the corner on November 3rd, is BUNKA-NO-HI or Culture Day. (See the other Japan Times article.) This is an excellent time to have class members bring in a cultural item to share (show and tell). You can show pictures (maybe some with a gospel theme) from a calendar or wherever and have them describe the pictures, telling what they see. You can make a vocab list from their descriptions and help them with words they don't know. I think I will teach my class the song: "Sociability" using cultural themes.

Well, do we tell you how much we appreciate you? Do you know what a great difference you are making in people's lives? I'm sure you will never (in this life) know all the good you accomplish every day of your mission. Please keep up the good work Hard prayer and hard scripture study are good remedies for spiritual ailments! Kio Tsukete!

Love, Sister Roberston

P.S. If you have them, please bring your MTC Medical Guidebooks to our next zone taikais.
Love, again, Sister R.


Bunka-no-hi (Culture Day)

  1. Culture Day is meant to celebrate the development of culture in Japan.
  2. It is observed on November 3rd.
  3. Many cultural festivals and events are held at various places on or around this day.
  4. Pictures, sculptures and other artistic works are put on exhibition.
  5. Culture Day events are held in such fields as movies, drama, broadcasting and music.
  6. Art works are displayed and cultural entertainment is provided at art festivals.
  7. The government on this day announces the names of persons who have contributed to the development of culture.
  8. Several of them are awarded cultural medals by the Emperor.
  9. Many properties of cultural merit are also put on exhibition.
  10. This is the best season for chrysanthemums, and chrysanthemum figures called kiku-ningyo are displayed.
  11. These are life-sized dolls covered with chrysanthemum flowers, the exhibitions are held as contest.

Taiiku-no-hi (Physical Fitness Day)

  1. Taiiku-no-hi is a day for sports.
  2. It is one of the national holidays.
  3. Physical Fitness Day, as it is called, is observed on October 10th.
  4. This national holiday was created in commemoration of the opening day of the Tokyo Olympics.
  5. The Tokyo Olympic games in 1964 were the first Olympics ever to be held in Asia.
  6. Schools hold athletic meets every year.
  7. Usually such athletic meets are held in spring and autumn.
  8. The autumn athletic meets are held on or around Physical Fitness Day..
  9. Health is the most important thing in our lives.
  10. In autumn fine weather prevails and many kinds of sports can be enjoyed.
  11. This national holiday was set aside to encourage the nation to enjoy sports.

Message from AP

Elders and Sisters,

Well, summer is quickly passing! I can't believe how fast time flies! I also want to thank you for all your Hard Work! It has brought us all a long way! I also thank you in your continued efforts to build Zion! We are getting closer! Now I believe it is time to take the next step! I truly believe we can't do this without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are working hard, now we need to trust in our Lord and have faith in Him, to rely wholly upon Him! And he will give the increase! My faith is, when we have done all we can, then the Lord is under obligation and will not disappoint the faithful, he will perform the rest.

If the Latter-day Saints will walk up to their privileges, and exercise faith in the name of Jesus Christ and live in the enjoyment of the fullness of the Holy Ghost constantly day by day, there is nothing on the face of the earth that they could ask for, that would not be given to them. The Lord is waiting to be very gracious unto this people and to pour out upon them riches, honor, glory and power, even that they may possess all things according to the promises he has made through his apostles and Prophets. 'I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. (D&C 82:10) We've been doing what we've been asked now let's have faith and help the Lord keep his promise. He will I promise!

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen 

Elder Zeeman


Message from the Secretary

Dear Missionaries,

"Go forth and do the work of the Lord." Think what would the Savior have me do and do it. Never lose sight of the reason we are here in the Japan Kobe Mission, we have a work to do and the Lord placed us here to see that it would be done to the best of our ability. May the Lord bless and guide us to have happiness and peace as we work together to feel spiritually in tune with the plan to become a Zion mission.

How grateful I am to be in Japan Kobe Mission and know that the Lord sent us here to be of service. We have a desire to serve each of you while serving the Lord in this mission. We have a great love for each missionary in the Japan Kobe mission.

May Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ be our guide each day. May we keep focused and make a difference in the lives of the people we meet and serve. Love ya, Sister Fry.

 


Attitude

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gifts or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the past; we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way; we cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we hive, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.  Author unknown.


Counsel to Missionaries

President Gordon B. Hinckley

"You are preaching the gospel of good news. The things you have to teach are good. They are designed to make people happy and live a better life. You ought to put a smile on your face and go forth to do the work which the Lord has outlined for you, and He will bless you. And the missionary strength which you have will become a great mark in your lives, a great period in your lives to which you will look back all of your days with appreciation and gratitude. You are only on missions for a short time; make the most of it" 

--Ensign June 1999


Message from the Financial Secretary

BAGGAGE REMINDER: Many of you are still shipping your luggage using the more expensive Takyubin service instead of the recommended Yamatobin, thereby pushing you over the 3000 yen limit, requiring your payment of the difference. Remember that you have to request Yamatobin service when phoning and when the driver picks up your luggage, otherwise they will invoice it as Takyubin. They will try to sell you the more expensive service, telling you there is no difference in cost. But there is a BIG difference. Also, if you include your bike in the Yamatobin shipment please deduct one-third of the receipt total from your reimbursement. We do not reimburse for bike shipment.

APARTMENT DAMAGE: We found out recently that one apartment had extensive water damage and mold growing on the walls. Apparently the water leak had happened six months earlier, yet none of the missionary residents including DL's had reported the damage. Failure to report the damage means that the mission must pay for most of the repairs at considerable cost. It is not heroic or noble to live in a damaged or substandard apartment. Please report water leaks or other damages immediately so that they can be repaired promptly without excessive cost to the mission.


Missionary Corner

September Baptisms

Mani OngoHirano9/4
Otama TakashiShingu9/4
Otama KeikoShingu9/4
Shirozaki HisaeShingu9/4
Sogabe KotaroAmagasaki9/4
Yamada MiwaOsaka S9/5
Fuji NamiAbeno9/18
Nishimura KeijiHirakata9/18
Masami AkiraMinoo9/18
Tanaka TernoKawachi-N9/18
Kubata MakiNara9/18
Nakatani TakahiroSakai9/19
Okawa KenjiAbeno9/26

!!! Congratulations!!!


Missionaries Returning home October 14

Kirk Madsen Orem, Utah
Seth Wynder Littleton, CO
Jonathan Toone West Jordan, UT
Justin Wilding Birdseye, UT

Missionaries Arriving October 12

Jared Benson Honolulu, HI
Aaron Schloemer El Paso, TX
Brooks Rashid Midway, UT
Jon Kerr Kent, WA
Brady Hales Midway, UT
Amanda Kindrick Claremont, CA
Battumur Batkhuu Mongolia

Missionaries Arriving October 21

Rieko Enami     Tokyo-to

October Birthdays

Chad Kelland10/06
Fry Choro10/06
Scott Hennaman10/07
Daniel Basso10/10
Shelly Giles10/14
Jeffrey Bond10/16
Kunimichi Takahashi10/16
Reed Hawker10/19
Micah Miller10/20
Ryousuke Kirigaya10/24
Shinobu Amano10/25
Jonathan Toone10/31

Happy Birthday to you all!!!!!


Zone Taikai

Date Zones Location
11/15 Minami Zone Wakayama
11/17 Nishi Zone Kobe
11/19 Chou Zone Abeno
11/22 Kita Shimogamo
11/24 Higashi Toyonaka

Next ZL Taikai - November 3, 1999


Message from the Recorder

As the fall colors deepen, the evening and mornings have begun to gradually become cooler. It's the turning of the season. Hey You under the fan all night!! You'll catch a cold for sure. Please take special care of your health this season. Japanese colds are annoying.

Even though I can't work in the field when I see the reactivation and baptismal records sent I feel the same joy as you. It's all because of you. Thanks A Bunch!

I'll write just a few of the examples from the nationwide bicycle accident report for missionaries I wrote about last month.

Unbelievable but it really happened. Everyone take care not to ride too fast! If by chance you do get in an accident, please contact me as fast as possible. Thanks for the ton of chirashi orders you always send. But, "We're all out, gimme chirashis now!" orders make a mess of things. Please figure out when you will run out and contact me ten days in advance. If you can, send details by fax. If you fax me the details, we can change your whole chirashi or even the little minutia on the chirashi. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

Thanks every one. If there' s anything I can do, please tell me. I'll respond happily! In return for that there's one thing I have to say... 

I LOVE YOU!!

Elder Hayashi


Message from MSM

Dear Missionaries, How are you doing? Autumn is a wonderful season. Let's work hard and keep up the good work. I have a couple of Onegai's today.

  1. When you need any repair in the apartment, please call me first. I will arrange to get it fixed.
  2. Please order the Books of Mormon before you are down to ten copies. I will send them as soon as possible. But recently, since we are passing out a lot of the Books of Mormon we do not have enough in stock. So please wait patiently for your new supply.
  3. If you want anything else please order it as soon as possible. It takes about one month to make the name tags and meishi's.
  4. If you get any bills or receipts for gas, telephone, or electricity, please send them to the Honbu as soon as possible.
  5. Please follow up constantly. When we try our best to follow God, He will provide us with what we need. When I think of the blessings that come with trials I feel really thankful to our Heavenly Father.
  6. Have a nice month!

I appreciate your hard work, in the shiny days. Thou shalt not covet!!!!! Elder Saito