The Light
Japan Kobe Mission: February 2001
"He is the light and the life of the world, yea, a light that is endless" --Mosiah 16:9
Elders and Sisters, I'm happy to be in Japan working with you to serve the Lord. We don't have many more months to work together and I am very anxious to accomplish as much as possible while we are together. I want us to be able to give a truly Zion Mission to the next wonderful couple who are called to preside.
Being a truly Zion Mission begins with Personal Conversion. This is so critical because the Lord has said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." (John 15-16) When we really know that we have been chosen by him, when we really have a testimony that he has entrusted us with the great opportunity of bringing salvation to those around us, a great change occurs within us. We want to prepare. We have confidence. We would consider nothing else than being diligent in this work.
Conversion is a total package, it is not a partial one. We must be converted to all aspects of the work to which he has called us. Some years ago one bridge span of the major freeway that carries people from New York to the Boston area collapsed in the early morning hours. Because it was on a curve, it was difficult to see in the dark that the bridge was out. Several people were killed before the police were able to get there and set up sufficient barriers and warning lights. Skilled highway engineers studied and studied this tragedy to pinpoint its cause. They finally determined that two bolts had come off when their washers and nuts had slowly but surely loosened over the years. Compared to the overall size of the bridge, these nuts and washers were very small. Periodic inspections had failed to check this area sufficiently and when the pressure was just right, they slipped off and one end of the bridge span dropped into the river. I had traveled this very road to and from work for many years and was fortunate not to be on it when the bolts failed.
How much this is like our personal conversion The great towers and girders and concrete road sections were all in fine condition, but someone had not been sufficiently concerned about the smaller parts of this bridge. As missionaries we often testify with sincerity that Jesus is the Christ, that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God and that Joseph Smith was called to restore the fullness of the gospel in our time. But some forget to check the smaller things like daily personal prayer, faithfully executing the morning schedule, making sure they look like called servants of the Lord, watching their behavior with members of the opposite sex, following President Packer by sending headphones home and only listening to music that is genuinely uplifting to all the missionaries in their apartment and so forth. These are the kind of seemingly small things that can cause a missionary's spirituality and diligence to gradually come loose and eventually fail, with results that range from simply not doing the Lord's work to sadness and embarrassment and damage to people's lives.
Even those who will be staying beyond the time when Sister Robertson and I have to go home will very soon realize just how short the time is to do good here in the name of the Lord. Please, let us not waste any of it on thoughts, actions or activities that do anything other than help bring people to Christ. "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men." May we be all of these things every day. "Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence." May we demonstrate all of these in our daily missionary lives. "And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." May we look at the small things in our conversion and faithfulness that would keep us from being a truly Zion Mission and strive to bring those up to the standard Jesus expected of us when he called us to serve in the Japan Kobe Mission
I love you all. I believe in you all. I know that we can sufficiently purify ourselves if we will but decide to do it. I pray that we will do so, in the name of Jesus Christ; Amen.
President Robertson
Dear Wonderful Missionaries,
I will cherish always my memories of being together at the Oshogatsu Taikai. What a marvelous spirit we felt as we listened to the recounting of miracles and the counsel from our great zone leaders and assistants. The admonitions to new missionaries to focus on the pass-offs first, the simple directive to fix an errant attitude; "repent", the testimonies of the true efforts in which we are all engaged, the celestial quality of the musical performances, the tearful expressions of love for the Savior and His atonement, even by the apostles themselves, these and more are all treasured remembrances.
Of course I won't forget the morning fun either. There is nothing quite like a rousing performance of the "13 Days of Dendo." The "awards" reinforce the wonderful necessity of not taking ourselves too seriously. The gift exchange was sheer fun. (Is that right? or was it left?) The "Photos from the Field" segment was really tanoshikatta to create. (OK, it needed a little more rehearsal, but it was fun doing!) Some of those pictures really did remind us of you! We hope you will have similar fond memories of that taikai for a very long time.
Some of you may have wondered about my explaining Seijin-no-hi after it already occurred. Traditionally, this first holiday after Oshogatsu has always been on the 15th. But, in recent years, holidays have begun to move around for convenience in celebrating (much like American holidays have done). So, hope you caught sight of those beautiful kimonos on the 8th instead of the 15th of January. And, omedetoo to all of you who are celebrating your 20th birthday this year.
Now, (How can it happen so quickly?) we are into February. Setsubun (bean-throwing) is not a holiday but an annual event. It will have occurred by the time you read this. Hope you pushed the devil out and invited good in as well (and continue to do so everyday). The next national holiday occurs, though, just a week later. It's traditional celebration day is the 11th of February. This year the holiday will be on Monday, the 12th. It's called "Kenkokukinen-no-hi" (say that 3 times fast). See the Japan Times Article (included in this newsletter) that explains National Foundation Day. Missionaries in Nara can stand especially tall since that is considered the site of the original Imperial Court. Many people spend this holiday enjoying a day off from work. (Good chance for more dendo.)
As far as Eikaiwa ideas go, you can take some great advantage of Valentine's Day. Japan has begun to celebrate this day more and more, at least in a commercial way. Talking about what love really is (the Savior's kind) and preparing an actual valentine to give to a loved family member have been good ideas for lesson plans in the past Asking students to tell about something nice someone did (a sentence for beginners, a paragraph for more advanced) can work well. You can use what they say to teach a grammar principle or to drill on hatsuon (of course taking care not to embarrass or discourage anyone). You might teach the simple poem: "Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sugar is sweet, and So are you." You might teach a more advanced class about the legend of "cupid." Use your imaginations.
You can always ask students to share the answer to the question, "How was your week?" Shy students can begin by answering, "good," "bad" or "so-so" and then be encouraged to add a little more each week as you inquire, "why?" or "What happened?" If you use this, make sure to demonstrate how to answer by answering yourself and having other good speakers respond simply, slowly, and clearly first. It can be a good beginning to any class session.
Well, whatever you do for your eikaiwa, remember to prepare and to be genuinely happy to see people and to interact with them. If you run out of ideas, ask them about Setsubun, or how they will celebrate the holiday on the 12th. ("Will you go somewhere on the 12th?") Use their answers to make a vocabulary list to drill. It's not as hard to teach eikaiwa as some may think. Just get your ideas in advance and write them down. Then you'll be OK!
Whoops! Too long again. So, I'll close by saying that recently I was told that we humans need to be told something at least 8 times before we remember. I haven't counted how many times on these items, so gomen if it's past 8 but,
Undying love to our gokurosamatachi senkyoshi, (my valentines!)
Sincerely, Sister Robertson
An important announcement with changes in the stat sheets. Under the heading "Teaching" there are two boxes entitled "Yoteishas/RDCDLSN" and "Investigators/RCDLSN" as well as corresponding lesson boxes. The upper number is the total number of people in that respective pool. The box below, "RCDLSH", is the number within that pool who received a lesson that week. Therefore, the RCDLSN number can never be larger than the "Yoteisha" or "Investigator" number. The "Yoteisha lessons" or "Investigator lessons" box is to count the total number of lessons taught, for example if multiple lessons were received in a week. So, if you had a total Yoteisha pool of 1, and he received 2 lessons in a week, it is correctly marked, "Yoteishas" 1, "RCDLSN" 1, "Yoteisha Lessons" 2.
Another question that has come up is in regards to "Investigator Lessons." ONLY Investigators are counted under "Investigator Lessons." If you teach them a shokai and they become an investigator, then you can count it, but if they do not become a Q, then it is counted in the "Lessons Taught" box at the beginning of the "Teaching Heading" with other lessons that are not to Investigators or Yoteishas.
Finally, some still seem confused as to what to do with the Confirmation and Baptism records. Once again, keep both records together at all times. After a confirmation has taken place, DO NOT leave the church without the white copy of the Confirmation and Baptism records in hand. ASAP send them first by fax to the HONBU and then by letter.
Thanks for all your hard work and patience. Keep up the good work, and if you have questions or need anything, please call.
Love,
Pearson Choro
During the holidays we heard from many of our beloved missionaries who have not only taken, but survived the big transfer back home. Some have been home a long time, others just a few weeks. In alphabetical order, here's some news and greetings ... "from the dust."
Allen Choro (Cori) and his wife, Lenae, wanted to wish everyone a happy and peaceful 2001.
Aoyagi Choro sent a wonderful picture of a missionary and his bike, flat out on the sand, catching some z's (recharging). He's in shock over having 8 months elapse since his big return home. He is not attending a special technical school, and is not married yet. (Whew!)
Beagley Choro reports that he's still using the lessons he learned from leaders at zone takiaks. He's still practicing lesson one in the shower each morning, and speaking of morning, he's still keeping up his study schedule. (Way to go, Beagley, cho) He's recently visited with Bulloch Choro, who's doing well, and he ran into Perry Choro at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where they were watching the new church movie about Testaments. Beagley Choro has been helping with the full-time missionaries in his area, and has been teaching a Nihonjin kyudosha (with the missionaries of course) in Price. He loves dendo and says that sometimes it's hard to see the black badge just lying on the shelf.
Enoue Shimai now Matsushita Shimai and her husband, Hitokazu, are really enjoying their married life. They are members in the Tanabe Branch and contributing much there. Their big news is that this very month, February, they will be having a little one join them. (Send pictures!)
Fry Choro and Shimai have had a very busy post-mission life. They have traveled many places and visited with countless numbers of family and friends. They even got to see Giles Shimai when she was back in New Jersey. They are now working in the temple one day a week, also working in the Family History Center, and covering the RS compassionate service needs. What a great example of Gambatte!
Giles Shimai is now at BYU. She hopes to become a teacher at the Provo MTC. She misses most the "caroling dendo" and is trying hard to do her member dendo even when it seems difficult. But, she does pray for us every day. (Thank you, Giles Shimai!)
Goto Choro and his wife, Emiko, are the proud parents of little Tomoe. They sent a nengajyo with her picture (and Pooh san's of course). She looks very much like her Daddy. Honto!
Hayashi Choro is now a student at a university in Fukuoka. (Lucky to be close to the temple!) He says that he uses his mission experiences every day of his life. He sends wishes for us that we'll all be happy. (Thnx!)
Hollis Choro sent a very big and green card, probably symbolic of where he is now. He wishes many good things (happiness, laughter, joy, etc.) to all of us. (Thanks and same back!)
Howard Choro says he misses us all. And, he looks forward to our reunions. (We do too!)
Kailimai Shimai was checking out the e-mail address for correctness before sending some of her gems. (Yes, it reached us. Send more!)
Kayberry Choro wrote about the very exciting event in his life. He mentioned that his intended (now, wife) is 22 and a convert of just two years. She loves the church (and K.C.) which is great. He always thinks of things he learned on his mission and sees how life is about loving and caring for those around us. He also mentions that they'll be in the USA next July. Yatta!
Moench Choro says that after-mission life can be challenging. And his big advice is to be very careful about the friends with which one "hangs out." He is a full-time student at USC in Southern California. Additionally, he works 24 hours a week, is involved with Institute, NROTC, church assignments, and attends the temple once a week. Additionally, he prays for us every day. Wow! Thank you, Moench Choro, for remembering us!
Okawa Choro and his wife, Junko, are thinking of us and doing well. They are praying that our mission can make a "last sprint" during President Robertson's final few months. (Thank you. Let's go for it!)
Okitsu Choro is keeping busy studying mechanics at the university. He is also serving as a district missionary. He is companions with Yamaji Kyodai whose family lives in Kita Rokko. He sayw that Waga Shimai is also a district missionary. They are working in Akita with an Elder Masuyama who is from the Kota Rokko. They always remember to pray for our success as well. He sends his wishes for a very Happy New Year to all.
Ozasa Shimai is in Fukuoka and working at a law court. She keeps in touch with Yamanaka Shimai and Amano Shimai. They all went to the Tokyo Temple together and are planning another mini-reunion for February. She's enjoying serving in the Fukuoka Temple and rumor has it that she's been called to be a Relief Society President. (Not surprised!)
Patterson Shimai, who had to go home early because of injuries sustained in a bike accident, still prays for us every day and is finally recovered from her health problems. (Yay for both things--prayers and healing!)
Peterson Shimai who finished her mission service in the Rochester New York Mission (because of a foot problem) is still studying Japanese. She's also working hard at member missionary work. She uses the "Pass Along Cards" (U.S. dendo technique) to keep her going and also keeps in touch with potential investigators whom she knew and taught in her two mission fields.
Quiton Choro and his wife, Amanda, send their greetings. He is serving as a 2nd counselor in his Elders' Quorum Presidency. He's also working and planning on some college courses in the near future. He is full of interesting information to be found at various URL sites on the internet. The most recent had to do with ancient Japanese traditions in Northern Japan of Christ having come to Japan. Some even claim that he actually died and was buried here. Omoshiroii.
Ratto Choro and his wife dropped by to pay a visit while they were in Kobe so he could take a test of Japanese as a foreign language. He sounded pretty fluent to us, and no wonder, because he has a very pretty tutor (his wife.)
Ryan Choro didn't actually send this information. But, according to a good source, we understand that he is going to school in Kanagawa Ken (Kawasaki). Go, Ryan Choro.
Scott Shimai is now in her last year at BYU. She is loving her classes and still finishing up recovering from her Maizuru bike accident (Zannen!)
Sugawara Shimai sends her greetings. She did a lot of Christmas dendo in Sendai. She says it was fun, but it made her miss all of us. She then heard from a former investigator in Wakayama and a member in Gobo and loved hearing good old Kansai ben once again. She also ran into a lot of members from the Sakai Stake when she was at the temple. And, if anyone was wondering about her great piano skills, she sent a wonderful tape full of many beautiful piano pieces. (The next companionship who baptizes a family can borrow the tape. How's that for motivation?)
Suzuki Shimai was able to visit her parents in Tokyo but is now back in the states enjoying some time with family and sends her wishes for all of us to have a wonderful new year.
Takai Shimai is one of that group that loves to visit the Tokyo Temple, Kobe, and other places. She sent a wonderful couple of boxes of red apples that were enjoyed by all in the honbu and a few visiting besides. (Thanks!!!!)
Takasaka Shimai (now Akatsuka Shimai) and Hiroshi, her husband, also had a baby last October. This was a very cute (yes, we have a picture) little boy who is named Yuto. Parents are very appropriately proud!
The PCC Gang: A great picture came from the Polynesian Culture Center in Hawaii. It showed four very genki looking and familiar faces. Left to right there were: Sanchez Choro, Carcia Choro, Boswell Choro (who, along with his beautiful fiancée) delivered the picture in person) and Wunder Choro. It is a picture to treasure! Thanis from the wahine!
Thompson Choro and family sent a collage of pictures. One of the prominent ones was the choro himself guiding his parents through the "castles of Japan," well, at least of Salt Lake City's Sister City. But, he's now back at the University of Utah, being a full-time student and still a good member missionary. (Gambatte!)
Watanabe Choro and his wife, Kazuyo, are all smiles since baby "Miyu" joined them last September. (A real kawaii ningyo!) (Looks like we'd better have some pre-school toys at those reunions!)
Wood Choro and his lovely wife, Mayumi, stopped by to visit and had dinner with Pres. and Sis. R. What fun to catch up on their plans since their Oakland Temple Wedding (and to look at the wedding photos too!)
Yamanaka Shimai is in Tochigi and has just been called to teach a Sunday School class on how to do member missionary work. This is a new class being tried by the Tokyo North Mission. She's excited about it (Sounds like it has some good potential. Les us know how it goes!)
Yonamine Choro sends his greetings. He's recently changed addresses and wants us to know because he's looking forward to reunions!
Most recent wedding announcements received include:
Maetani Choro and his wife, Cristi--September 30th
Wood Choro and his wife, Mayumi--October 5th
Toone Choro and his wife, Tara--October 14th
Spendlove Choro and his wife, Melanie--December 16th
Kayberry Choro and his Leisl--January 20th
Hymas Choro and his soon-to-be wife, Katie--February 14th
Well, is that enough for one month? If we missed something you sent, send us
another note (including reprimand) and we'll print it next time. We love hearing
from our never-forgotten returned missionaries. Keep up the great member
missionary dendo. And, keep those prayers coming. We can use them all!!!!
We are sons and daughters of God, each a member of the divine family. As surely as He is our father, we are all brothers and sisters. We simply must work unitedly to remove from our hearts and to drive from our society all elements of hatred, bigotry, racism, and other divisive actions and words that limit a person's ability to progress, learn, and be fully accepted. Snide remarks or racial slurs, hateful epithets, malicious gossip, and mean and vicious rumor-mongering have no place among us.
Each of us is human, subject to the problems that afflict humans. We should not tolerate laziness, dishonesty, or betrayal. But neither should we condemn others for such apparent lapses. Instead, we can reach out to help them carry the burdens of sickness and financial difficulty, and even the weaknesses and shortcomings with which they are grappling. None of us needs someone who only points out our areas of weakness and the ways in which we have fallen short. We need someone who encourages us to go forward, to try again, to reach a little higher this time. Excellence is difficult to achieve in a vacuum.
Said Paul to the Romans, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak." And then he added these significant works, "and not to please ourselves" (Romans 15:1). We have an obligation to assist one another, to build one another. No one of us is perfect; we have all made mistakes. Each of us occasionally needs to be disciplined and instructed. But such feedback ought to be offered in a spirit of correcting, helping, and strengthening. Can we not support each other? Teach one another? And encourage and praise those with whom we come in contact?
"You will find that the more you reflect upon what must be done to have a richer and more abundant life, the more you will be led back to central considerations that are contained in the messages of the Master. If we follow in his footsteps, we can live by faith rather than by fear. If we can share his perspective about people, we can love them, serve them, and teach out to them -- rather than feeling anxious and threatened by others.
"Durng youth and young maturity time flies with great speed. To travel listlessly is just futile. One should have a destiation and a goal to reach. One should determine what he wants out of life and then bend every effort toward reaching that goal. He must realize that life is more than meat and drink and fun and fortune. However, it is often easy for young people to follow the line of least resistance and to be found to be 'even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her.' (Mormon 5:18)
| 2/2 | Jonathan Stohel |
| 2/4 | Tyson Munford |
| 2/4 | David Robertson |
| 2/8 | Sean Carli |
| 2/9 | Joseph Lodge |
| 2/14 | Michael Balogh |
| 2/20 | Shaun Weldon |
| 2/22 | Nicholas Deakins |
| 2/23 | Larie Langi |
| 2/27 | Kimball Kirkpatrick |
| 2/27 | Akinobu Saitoh |
| 2/27 | David Eldredge |
| 2/28 | Kathryn Young |
| 2/28 | Jared Benson |
| 2/6 | Kina, Hikaru | Okinawa |
| Yosei, Uemura | Saitama |
Note: These missionaries were listed in the Light for January
| 2/2 | 1 PM | Sakai/Minami at Wakayama |
| 2/3 | 10 AM | Nishi at Kobe |
| 2/5 | 10 AM | Chuo at Abeno |
| 2/8 | 10 AM | Kita/Kyoto at Shimogamo |
| 2/9 | 1 PM | Higashi at Toyonaka |
| 2/4 | 11 AM | at Ibaraki with Shingu 1 |
| 2/11 | 2 PM | at Toyonaka with Hirakata and Ibaraki |
| 2/12 | 1:30 PM | at Mikuni |
| 2/14 | 10 AM | at Fushimi with Nishi K and Otsu |
| 2/15 | 3 PM | at Nara with Asuka |
| 2/14 | 6:30 PM | at Nara with Nara |
| 2/16 | 9 AM | at Abeno with Hirano and Taisho |
| 2/17 | 11:30 AM | at Toyonaka with Kawanishi |
| 2/19 | 9 AM | at Kitarokko with Amagasaki |
| 1:30 PM | at Akashi with Himeji and Miki | |
| 2/22 | 10:30 AM | at Kobe with Kobe |
| 2/24 | 9:30 AM | at Wakayama |
| 1 PM | at Gobo | |
| 2/25 | 2 PM | at Gobo with Shingu 2 |
| 1/6 | Kitamura |
| 1/7 | Mama Takenaka |
| 1/14 | Yuki Narita |
| 1/28 | Kawai Hiroyuki |
| 1/28 | Noguchi |
Things you will need:
2 chicken breasts sliced into 5 slices each
OR
4 chicken thighs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup shoyu
Remove the skin from the chicken breasts or thighs. Slice the chicken breasts.
In a frying pan or pan that is quite wide, over high heat, bring the sugar and shoyu to a rolling boil.
Add the chicken pieces to the boiling teriyaki sauce. Turn the meat about every three or four minutes. Meat will be done in eight to fifteen minutes depending on its thickness.
The sauce will become thickened. Be careful that the sauce doesn't evaporate and burn. You can add a small amount of water if it cooks too quickly.
Serve with:
Cooked vegetables
Cooked rice
In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who, removed the boulder from the roadway.
Tile peasant learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Each of us should take the opportunity to overcome each obstacle that confronts us in daily lives. We learn and gain experience by meeting each day head-on Along with the Lord's help and our own ingenuity and resourcefulness we can accomplish anything that is asked of us -- and more! As the peasant learned, we receive blessings upon blessings when we attain these goals that we originally thought were obstacles that were insurmountable
If there is anything we can do to help you achieve these goals during your missions here in this part of the Lord's vineyard, please let us know.
We love you,
The Pypers
Dear Zion Missionaries,
What a wonderful Shogatsu Taikai! Thank you all for your personal spiritual preparation. It made it really easy to feel the spirit. We have taken our first steps into a new era. Things are changing here in the Kobe Mission. Missionaries ore working harder and harder to receive and understand the help of the Holy Ghost. As a whole we are working smarter and planning more effectively. We are truly doing what the Lord would do if He were here. Things are a little bit slow right now, but that is normal in a transition stage. The Lord has great things in store for our Zion Mission. We need to be constantly worthy and always seeking those things.
We have seen an increase in the number of missionaries that truly DESIRE to be successful missionaries. Their hearts are changing and they are becoming more and more willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. They are constantly focusing their thoughts and energy on their purpose as missionaries and avoiding things that are unimportant. The President recently said, "Do ONLY what is necessary for success." Our commitment to do so is reflected through our daily thoughts and actions. As we serve the Lord with all of our heart, might, mind and strength, by controlling our thoughts and committing ourselves to doing only the necessary things, the intensity of the spirit in our personal lives increases dramatically. This also brings about greater desire to do what we have been called of God to do. The Lord truly rewards righteous desires (Alma 211:4). Remember that our faith will be tested. THEN will the Lord open up the windows of heaven and pour blessings upon our Zion mission.
Love, Grob Choro and Potter Choro
A vast majority of the early members of the Church in Japan were high school and college students. The Church grew very slowly in Kyushu and other outlying areas, partly because these young new members would leave their small branches and go to Kyoto, Osaka, or Tokyo to attend school and work. Many great leaders in the large cities actually had their roots in Kyushu and other more rural areas. The big challenge to early missionaries was to find those first families who would give stability to the tine branches in the outlying areas.
in 1971 we taught at 13-0year-old girl. She was extremely shy. Her family was concerned about her involvement with a strange church, but did not want to speak with the missionaries or come to the church to see for themselves. She persisted with her parents, and finally they sent her college-aged brother to check things out when he was home for winter vacation. He came to the church and was impressed enough to tell the parents to let their daughter continue to attend. That was as far as it went in 1971.
The effect by 2000? The girl had joined the Church; her brother had joined the Church (he told me personally at the Fukuoka Temple dedication that he "gained his testimony" that first meeting at the Kumamoto meetinghouse. He married another one of our investigators. They had six children (almost unheard of in Japan!). Their parents had joined the Church, and several others. The brother, President Tashiro, is currently serving as the second Stake President of the Kumamoto Stake, and he and his family and his sister, who started it all, were at the temple dedication.
(From Sheri Christensen Holt to the LDSWorld-Gems)