Living in the Country

This time I would like to share with you all about some of the experiences I had in the town of Joetsu. Joetsu is a town located on the Japan Sea in the south of the Niigata Prefecture. It is a place where the winters are cold and metres of snow fall and summers are some of the most hottest and humid in the region. My work as a missionary brought me there from April to October 2010. I worked with a small branch of the church of around 6 members that meet in an old converted convenience store. I had the privilege of working with 4 other missionaries these.

For many years, the missionaries have been volunteering and serving in that town to not a great deal of success. But we were given many opportunities to help those around us. We taught English classes, helped people in their market gardens, volunteered at community centres, and pretty much asked everyone we met if they would like a hand. Although we had many opportunities to help, many people still did not like us at all. But that didn't get our spirits down. We had many opportunities to touch the hearts of others as well.

One such lady was (then) 83 years old and a staunch Buddhist. She had started to listen to us because we had a nice message and it would be a good thing to hear. As we taught her about a God that loved her and how Jesus Christ makes us happy and whole, she mentioned time and time again that "It is all well and good, but I still don't see why this is important to me." One time we me we watched an address by Thomas S. Monson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We spoke about the address afterwards and this is the part that stuck out to her the most.

Our Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed.

The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth.

President Thomas S. Monson, April 2010 "He is Risen!"

As we listened to her new-found comprehension of Jesus Christ, we felt that had grasped the meaning of the words she heard with her spirit. She continued along the path of discipleship, was baptised and visited the Tokyo temple just last month.

Looking back on this, it has caused me to reflect on the personal meaning of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my own life. What a wonderful thing it is! That even if we die, we may live again. But the added promise of Christ is that if we follow Him, not only will we rise again, but we will live in perfect joy and peace for all eternity. That is the fantastic thing about this life! We can stumble, trip and fall many times, but through Christ we can be made whole; "and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5)

My experience is a very country part of Japan taught me some of the most valuable lessons to teach other people and to take within myself as well. These are lessons I will be grateful for forever.