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Email Home: 11 February

I love talking to people! Whenever I see a lady I think: Yes! She wants to talk to me. I just assume everyone wants to talk to me! When people stop and listen I am excited. I try to bring every person we meet closer to Christ - even if it is just to check the website, http://mormon.org/jpn or in English, Mormons.org.

"Breksa Sensei" by a young English class student

Go and Sin No More

John Chapter 8

"The gospel teaches us to be happy, to have faith rather than fear, to find hope and overcome despair, to leave darkness and turn toward the light of the everlasting gospel."

—Boyd K. Packer, "The Key to Spiritual Protection"

A Few Fathers in the Scriptures*

*The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price; the Four Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Zebedee: (Matthew 4:19-20; Luke 5:10) He was the father of 2 apostles, James and John. 

Story: Zebedee and his sons were on a boat fixing nets. Christ approaches with their business partner, Peter and his brother Andrew. When Christ called them, they immediately left the ship and their father and the servants, and followed Him.” So Zebedee (I love saying that name) watched his sons leave the familybusiness.

Mormon: (The book of Mormon in The Book of Mormon). He is the father of the prophet Moroni. 

Story: Mormon was a general and prophet. He abridged a cavern full of records covering about1,000 years of history. He also wrote an account of his own experiences and throughout the record there are his commentary and explanations. A very small part of the abridgment is The Book of Mormon. His people were at war approximately 60 years. When their enemies took over a city they would sacrifice the women and children to their idols. His people and army were victims of mass genocide, 100s of thousands. Only Mormon, Moroni and 24 others survived. Mormon mourned the loss of his people, he wrote, 

lds.org

And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried…’O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss. O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen! But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.  

When Mormon died, he left Moroni to keep the abridgment safe from their enemies. He died knowing that his son was going to be a hunted man.

Zacharias (Luke 1) His son was John the Baptist.

Story: He was a very active member of the faith. He did not expect to be a father.  When finding out he would be, he doubted and his power to speak was taken away. Only after his silence proved to be a testimony to others was it restored. He knew the baby's name should be John and that he had a great work to do. To escape the mandated execution of baby and toddler boys, Elizabeth hid Zacrarias’ and her son in the wilderness. When the soldiers were searching out and killing, Zacrarias would not disclose John’s location.  Zacrarias was killed.  Interesting, Zacharias' silence … the forced upon experience bore witness of the power of God in giving Zacharias a son and his voluntary silence saved that son. 

The Father of Abish. He is not named. (Alma 19:16)

Story: Abish was converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ because of her father – years before the missionaries were teaching in her city.  In fact, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the religion of her people’s enemies. Her people are describe as a…,

wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering [Christians], and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands. Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers.

She did not disclose her testimony until it could have a positive impact.  Upon hearing the king had met with the missionaries, Abish ran from house to house and the people went to the king's home. Because of her father, Abish contributed greatly to an entire society's change. 

Japan: Driving

Most people who live in cities to not drive - the public transportation system is incredibly efficient - with colored coded maps with corresponding color lines on the floors of the stations (I understand, however, this is for tourists).  But in rural areas, automobiles are needed. See photos of road signs here. You may not know this, but the Japanese themselves are a large part of Japanese tourism. The countryside of Japan is breathtakingly beautiful.

LDS Teachings: Being Reclaimed and Repentance

What Sister Breksa Teaches About Repentance

"To repent, we recognize our sins and feel remorse, or godly sorrow.  We confess our sings to God. We also confess very serious sings to God's authorized Church leaders, who can help us repent. We ask God in prayer to forgive us. We do all we can to correct the problems our actions may have caused; this is called restitution. As we repent, our view of ourselves and the world changes. As we change, we recognize that we are children of God and that we need not continue making the same mistakes over and over. If we sincerely repent, we turn away from our sins and do them no more. We resist any desire to commit sin. Our desire to follow God grows stronger and deeper.

"Sincere repentance brings several results. We feel God's forgiveness and His peace in our lives. Our guilt and sorrow are sept away. We feel the influence of the Spirit in greater abundance. And when we pass from this life, we will be more prepared to live with our Heavenly Father and His Son. 

"Even after we have accept Christ and repented of our sins, we may fall short and sin again. We should continually try to correct these transgressions.  In addition, we should continually improve -- to develop Christlike qualities, to grow in knowledge, and to serve more effectively. As we learn more about what the Savior expects of us, we will want to show our love by obeying Him. Thus, as we repent daily, we will find that our lives will change and improve. Our hearts and our behavior will become more Christlike. We will come to feel great joy in repenting daily."

Preach My Gospel, LDS Church, 2004 pages 62-63

New Photos from Iwakuni

Sister Breksa and her companion stopped by 7-11 and this cool motorcycle was in front.  There are 7-11s all over Japan.  More about what they are like and what they sell in a future post.

This photo was taken at a missionary conference.  The main speaker spoke in his native language, Japanese. There was an interpreter available, but Sister Breksa has been blessed with her Japanese language skills (in part due to her high school Japanese teacher) and was able to understand a lot of it.  These sisters and elders are part of an immense force for good throughout the world.  Missionaries not only teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, but provide service to individuals and communities. 

Numbers in Japanese すうじのうた

0    ze-ro       6    ro-ku

1     i-chee      7    na-na

2    ni            8    ha-chi

3    san         9    kyu

4    yon          10    ju

5    go

Note: “i” is pronounced like an English ‘e’

But don’t use these when telling time! The words are different.

Letter Home: English Class, More Gifts, Talking to People, and Leaping

Near the end of last transfer a woman (Y) called about English class.  She came and I greeted her by name. She came with her daughter and her daughter's friend. The next week a friend of the girls came! They are about 10 or so years old. This last Saturday Y gave me painted craft her daughter made. I'm sensei (teacher).  Y said we can invite her children to church and if they want to come she will support them in coming. So, I'll do that this Saturday - after English class, as we are not suppose to do anything super churchy. Just teach English conversation. 

Our English class is getting so big. It's great.  

When one woman came she was not very warm [towards us] - but I thought of how we can best connect. She likes coming.

Yesterday and today people told me my Japanese was very good. When my companion and I are stopping people to tell them our message of Jesus Christ: I share scriptures I feel the person needs to hear, testify, relate, ask questions, listen, support my companion, extend commitments, ask for referrals and a way to meet again. 

A lot of times I just keep on leaping expecting the Lord to catch me.