87th week in Japan
4/10/2017

Conference week in Japan!

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope that everyone enjoyed conference. I am a week behind, but it
never hurts to review the things that we learned at general
conference. All of the talks given were very spiritual uplifting and
inspiring. I really liked the talk given by Elder Choi, Elder
Stevenson, and Elder Palmer. Conference is a great time to learn
exactly what we need at that time in our lives. I have learned that
sincere questions can truly be answered through conference. Whether or
not someone says something that directly answers your question, the
spirit can teach us what we need to know.

 We have had another great week here in Nara this past week. On
Wednesday we invited our recently found investigator named Yoshiyama
kyoudai to baptism. He accepted, but he wouldn't commit to being
baptized on a certain date. We just need to keep working with him to
build his faith in Christ first. We have been blessed with finding new
investigators, and I hope that as we continue to work hard and follow
the spirit we can be led to those who are prepared by the Lord.

Recently during study time I have read about Ammon, one of the son's
of Mosiah. We all know the story of Ammon and how through his service
to King Lamoni helps him to convert King Lamoni and many of his
people. One thing that I noticed differently while reading this time
around was how Ammon was protected while serving the king. After
Ammon, King Lamoni, and the queen had sunk to the earth, it says

"Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with the sword of
Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his sword and went
forth that he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay him; and as he
lifted the sword to smite him, behold, he fell dead." (Alma 19:22)

This was according to the faith and trust which his father Mosiah had
in the Lord.

"Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had said unto
Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him
according to thy faith--therefore, Mosiah trusted him unto the Lord."

Faith leads to miracles. The scriptures are full of examples. We also
heard in general conference many miracles that came due to faith and
the guidance of the spirit. I am grateful to know that God is there to
help us according to the faith and trust that we place in him.

Questions:

Who were a few of your favorite speakers from general conference?  Did you take the Werthers with you?

1. Elder Choi, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Palmer. We did take the
werthers. Elder Busby was my first companion that lasted the entire
Priesthood session without eating the whole thing.

Does your companion like to cook?  Does he play the piano or like to sing?

2. Not really any of those, but he does like wakeboarding and rock climbing.

Does anyone there ever talk about President Trump and what do they think about him there in Japan?

3. They do a lot. I try to avoid talking to them about politics and stuff.

How are your investigators doing this week?

4. They are doing well. We will meet with 2 of them today.

 How is your companion doing with the language?  Is it hard training someone new while learning the language?

5. He is making progress. It is difficult sometimes, but it is fun.

What are families like there?  Do you see a lot of families together?  Are there a lot of divorces there?

6. There are a lot of divorces. There are a lot of families together,
but the image is a lot different from America.

What is the ward like there?  Are there many youth in it?

7. There are actually quite a few here. We have about 50-55 active members.

When you first went out everyone was talking about Kobe beef.  Have you heard of it in any of your areas?

8. Yes. It is in some areas, mostly in the Kobe area. Some
missionaries have had it, but it can get extremely expensive. I have
heard of it being over $100 before.

Elder Hirschi