Inochi no Michi, January 2011

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President Baird’s Message

Ammon is a Book of Mormon Hero and a model missionary. Some of the lessons he teaches modern readers of scripture are found in his first encounter with the Lamanites in Alma chapters 17-19.

Separating from his brothers, Ammon made his journey to the land of Ishmael. He was quickly captured and taken to the king who had power to imprison, enslave, or even kill him. Questioned by the king about his intentions among the Lamanites, Ammon did not say, “It’s tough to be here. I miss my family and my girlfriend. I wish I were back at home in school.” Rather, he responded, “I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.”

Ammon’s response was pleasing to the king who invited him into the king’s own family. Ammon declined choosing servitude. The king did not enslave Ammon. Ammon CHOSE to be servant to the king.

The Book of Mormon story that follows is a favorite among members of the church, but especially to young men and missionaries. Ammon joins other servants of the king, caring for his flocks. Wicked rivals scatter the king’s flocks and Ammon’s fellow servants “murmur” and “wept” for they knew their lives would be forfeit because of the loss of the flocks. Ammon’s heart, on the other hand, “was swollen with joy” and he encouraged them to “be of good cheer” and he rallied his fellow servants to work. He helped all around him to fulfill their stewardship.

Ammon and his fellow servants gathered the scattered sheep. His companions stood close guard while Ammon alone went to contend with their enemies. Six of them he slew with his sling and stones; their leader he slew with his sword. Others came to contend with him and each lost his arm to the sword of Ammon.

A Hollywood movie might end at that—the hero having defeated the enemy. There would be a great victory celebration. Ammon would be carried on the shoulders of his fellows. There would be a lot of back slapping and plenty of pizza and root beer—all with Ammon as the center of attention. But scripture isn’t Hollywood and there are yet great lessons to be learned.

While his fellow servants go to report to the king, Ammon goes about his duties as a humble servant. When informed that Ammon had gone to prepare the king’s horses and chariot as commanded, King Lamoni was “astonished because of the faithfulness of Ammon.”

As a young man and a young missionary, my attentions were drawn to Ammon’s great feat at the waters of Sebus. As a more mature priesthood leader, I have become ever more appreciative of what happened AFTER the waters of Sebus.  Ammon’s focus on his stewardship earned him remarkable praise from the king in verse 9 of Alma chapter 18. “Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them.”

In the story of Ammon, we learn what it means to be trustworthy.  Ammon was indeed a Master Teacher as evidenced by the lesson he teaches King Lamoni and the converting power with which it is taught. He used inspired questions, he listened, and he followed the spirit.  Ammon demonstrated his Master Planning skills when confronted with a deadly challenge which he turned to eternal opportunity. Ammon was a Master Finder expanding his teaching pool to include all the king’s household, his people, and even his very hantai father and his kingdom. The evidences of Ammon as a follower of the Master are abundant in the story. He was clean, Alma 17:3; he was determined, Alma 17:31; he was united with his fellow servants, Alma 17:32; he was faithful, Alma 18:2,9,10; he was obedient, Alma 18:9-10.

In Elder Holland’s blessing on our mission, he promised a new chapter of higher achievement and greater success. He also reminds us that, “such success can only come from heaven.” Elders and Sisters, if we are to have part in the success, we MUST tap the powers of heaven. Elder Holland’s blessing continued with ways we can do that.  We can “honor Him, give praise to Him, vow to be clean and worthy, and diligently labor.” Personally, I have sought guidance from the spirit for ways that I can follow Elder Holland’s council and, thereby, “deserve success”. I have made commitments to our Heavenly Father and asked for His help to become a more Trustworthy missionary.

I love you and pray for you each day.

President Baird

Hope of Israel, Zion’s Army,

Children of the promised day.

See, the Chieftain signals onward

and the battle’s in array!

Chorus:

Hope of Israel rise in might,

With the sword of truth and right.

Sound the war cry, “Watch and Pray!” Vanquish every foe today.

See the foe in countless numbers, Marshaled in the ranks of sin.

Hope of Israel, on to battle,

 Now the victory we must win!

Strike for Zion, down with error,

Flash the sword above the foe!

Every stroke disarms a foeman

every step we conquering go.

Soon the battle will be over,

Every foe of truth be down.

Onward, Onward, Youth of Zion;

 Thy reward the victor’s crown.

Quiet Rescue

Quiet Rescue                     Nov. 25, 2010        

She saved my life, not in an amazing moment of rescue, but by slow teaching and love.  I avoided a path that I believe would have resulted in death.  I met Jane when I was 16.  I couldn’t find a job so I told the women in Relief Society I would do odd jobs for them.  She heard that and hired me.  She had a house cleaning company and we went around together, just the two of us. 

She had had a pretty hard life because of the decisions she had made as a teenager.  I saw in her one of my possible future selves.  I was 16 and I just wanted to be different from my three goody-two-shoes older siblings.  I was willing to do whatever that took.  But she showed me what was down that road.  I started to see the consequences of my actions before I made decisions.  I saw that this path would end with drugs, disease and even death.  Those who try to toe the line between good and evil don’t realize that the line is moving—you just don’t notice as darkness deepens and then you are entrapped and it’s too late.  Jane told me all about it, supported me, talked me through decisions and helped me see what would make me happy, the real kind of happy.

She asked me why I wanted to serve a mission.  I said, “Because my patriarchal blessing says so.”  She said, “That’s not a reason.”  So I thought about it and realized that a mission is not about me.  It’s about God and serving others.

Jane has since then returned to some of her old problems.  I once told God that at the judgment bar I would stand between Him and her.  That she was good.  He could punish me in her stead.  I would suffer for her.  That is when I understood a small fraction of the Atonement and Jesus Christ’s love for us.  She made me who I am in many ways and it is definitely thanks to her that I am here in the Japan Nagoya Mission today.

January 2011 New Missionaries

Tonight, President and Sister Baird went and picked up 2 new elders at the aiport. Elder Tanida and Elder Gottfredson! They are both wonderful young men. We cannot wait to see the wonderful things they will be able to accomplish!

From left:  Elder Orme (AP), Elder Insch (AP), Elder Tanida, Elder Gottfredson,
President and Sister Baird,
Outside the mission home on the first morning.

From left:  Elder Gottfredson, Elder Tanida, President and Sister Baird

Elder Tanida (right) and Elder Freeman - Ise

Elder Takahiro Tanida is the only member of the Church in his family, but he loves them greatly and is very proud of them.  He is from Akashi, Hyogo, Japan, and was baptized in 2009.  After reading the Book of Mormon eagerly, it filled him with the spirit of God.  He is always willing to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"If there would be a "face" to this mission, it would be Elder Freeman.
He is just a wonderful example of what a missionary should be like."
(Quote from a great missionary who worked with Elder Freeman.)

Elder Gottfredson(left) and Elder Palmer- Nanao

Colleyville, Texas is home to Elder Kevin Gottfredson.  Elder Gottfredson
lived in Fukuoka while his father was a mission president.  He is 
a good cook, taking simple ingredients and combining them to form a 
more complex food that is enjoyable.

Elder Palmer has been called "a wonderful musician," by another elder.  

That elder also went on to say, "Elder Palmer was one of the 

best missionaries!  He was a miracle worker."

December 2010 New Missionaries

Tonight, we welcomed in 5 new missionaries to our mission. Elder Kusume (Tokyo), Elder Duarte (Brazil), Sister Inoue (Kumamoto), Elder Soliai (Hawaii), and Elder Kishi (Kumamoto)! It was a cold night, but that did not put out the dendo fire in them! They went straight from the airport to the mission home preaching the gospel to those they met! They are a fantastic group and will accomplish many miracles!

The Elders stop to strike a pose on the first morning outside of the mission home!

Sister Inoue (right) and Sister Koyama- Fukutoku

Sister Asako Inoue is from a family of four.  Her younger sister is in the Tokyo mission at the same time as Sister Inoue is serving.  Her parents are humorous and make them laugh.  Sister Inoue is grateful she was born in this family, even though her parents are more strict than others.  She loves nail art and she always volunteers to do friends nails for their wedding. Sister Mana Koyama is from Hokkaido, Japan.  Her parents joined the church and both served missions.  She likes music and reading.  Sister Koyama enjoys quiet places, and she always keeps her promises.  She is easily moved to tears and loves the Book of Mormon.  She wants to always share her love for that book with others.

Elder Soliai (right)and Elder Hooton- Fukui

Elder Kastle Soliai hales from Wahiawa, Hawaii.  He comes from a family of 10 children.  Elder Soliai enjoys games that involve strategy and wit.  He likes to read, go to the beach and enjoy friends and family.

Billings, Montana is home to Elder Tyler Hooton.  He started
on his way to medical school by studying biology for a semester
 before his mission.  He enjoys debate, basketball, anything
to stay in shape and fixing things.

Elder Kishi (right) and Elder Ogaki- Ueda

Elder Ibuki Kishi, from Kumamoto, Japan calls his family beloved.  He loves them with all his heart, especially his sisters.  He has 11 siblings and says everyone is always cheerful and they get along great.  

Elder Shunya Ogaki is from Hyougo, Japan.  His family are all members of the Church.  His dream is to be an elementary school teacher and has already begun preparations at the university.

Elder Duarte (right) and Elder Da Silva- Fujieda

Elder Danilo Duarte says, "To be a missionary is to be happy."  From the huge city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Elder Duarte is a happy person.  He loves to laugh out loud, make new friends, and spend time with his family of six, including his wonderful grandmother.    He says they are all hard workers, love God and people, and are Mormons. 

Elder  Julio DaSilva is very good at Judo and placed third in nationals one year.  He also 
plays soccer and volleyball, and likes to surf.  He is a reader and enjoys 
meeting new people.  College, hopefully at BYU, is in his future.  
He is a happy person who tries to see good in everything.

Elder Kusume (right) and Elder Fujishima- Meito

Tokyo, Japan is home to Elder Hiroshi Fujishima.  His older and younger brothers are the only members of the church in his family.  His older brother joined first and set the example for his two brothers.  Elder Fujishim loves sports.  When he plays, he is very happy.  He also enjoys cooking and likes to invite friends over for food. His goal is a temple marriage and a happy family.  He gets confidence by trusting in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Elder Yuichiro Kusume has two brothers.  He is in the middle.
Elder Kusume wants to be like his father because he is good at both
job and family.  He and his brother like to joke, but his mother is serious.
She is sweet and has a pure heart.  He loves basketball and football, 
especially watching games on TV.  World Cup gets him most excited. 

Someone Who Changed My Life

Written by Elder  Voss,   Dec. 3, 2010.

Someone Who Changed My Life—Kelly Mann

At the age of about 12, I began to get to know this man.  Our friendship started to grow as he became my Sunday School teacher, and then invited me one week on a fishing trip.  From that one experience, I began to love fishing and during the summer we would have fishing trips almost every weekend.  Throughout my high school years we became very close friends and shared a lot of great experiences. 

He had had a pretty rough life up till the point where he joined the church, and had many health problems as a result of car accidents and a stroke.  Some people might have felt broken and depressed after the kind of experiences he went through, but he was not.  His love and testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and this gospel, was a light that shone through in everything that he was.  The strength and inspiration that I received from him buoyed me up through the struggle that I had, and kept me on the right track when I might otherwise have gone in other directions.

When I was 17, we went on an all night fishing trip to a favorite pond that we knew.  It was a great night.  We caught fish, and I remember us both being very happy and tired as we drove home.  

The next morning in church, I received a phone call from his wife saying that during the night he had passed away.  I struggled.  I had never experienced the death of someone who was that close to me, and at the time I literally felt like a huge piece of my life, of who I was, had been ripped away.  For a very long time, I felt utterly lost whenever I allowed myself to think about all the experiences we had together and the friendship we had built.  

Over time I began praying to Heavenly Father, asking to understand the reason or purpose behind him being taken back.  From those continued prayers, my study of the plan of salvation, and a series of experiences in the temple, I received a very strong impression that he had fulfilled the purpose that Heavenly Father had assigned him here and that he had another mission on the other side to fulfill.  

From these experiences the great thing that I have carried is gratitude.  Gratitude for the incredible example and influence that he was in my life, and for the sure knowledge of the plan of salvation and Heavenly Father’s love and purpose for us, that I was able to gain from him.

The gospel is true!

My Miracle Was Me

Written by Sister Eve Hart 

Would it be egotistical to say my miracle was me?  It was.  My miracles are as numerous and as beautiful as the petals of a blooming sakura tree.  They included me, the way the Lord worked through me, and the people who have changed because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was anti-social and had low self-esteem when I came to Japan.  I awoke from American dreams to the cement suburbs of Japan.  It was a depressing feeling.  I hoped in my heart that something would take me away from a land of no family, an unknown tongue, and a job that stretched me beyond my social limits.

Over time, I learned from my encounters with hardship and disappointment.  I read the scriptures and studied the language.  I wasn’t willing at first, but I was obedient to the sense of duty I felt to God.  I wanted to become better and be like those I saw around me.  I grasped for the love others had for their investigators.  It was through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that I found the desire to change and enough love for myself and others.

I learned to love, to work, to speak Japanese, to believe in myself and others, to trust in the Lord.

A land I first resented I feel anguished leaving behind.  The gospel of Jesus Christ and the people that have been refined by it have become the most important things in my life.

And I can even be social, on occasion.

Four Companions, One Experience of a Lifetime

Written by Elder Benjamin Stachowski

On March 31^st, 2010, I began my service in Japan, starting in a small branch just south of the mission office known as Nonami.  The area was being reopened after several months of no missionaries.  It was there that this story takes place. 

My first Saturday in the mission field was an interesting one.  Still not having my feet under me, my trainer took me to Eikaiwa, which for the day was a trip to the neighboring area of Toyota, because their class was holding a BBQ.  Our class was made of an active member, Brother John, a Filipino, two non-members who only had interest in English, and finally Morimoto Kyodai.  Morimoto Kyodai had been baptized about a year or so before through the English class, but his testimony wasn’t particularly strong and he had gone less active.  However, he loved and respected the missionaries.

Back then my Japanese was about as good as every other bean choro, mainly due to a lack of self confidence and being worried about making mistakes.  Morimoto Kyodai took me and my companion out to dinner several times, and I basically just sat and listened.  This continued through my next two transfers as my second companion was Japanese, and the two of them would talk a lot.  However, slowly but surely we were building a good relationship with him.

He continued to come to Eikaiwa every week without fail, but we couldn’t get him to come to church more than once a month.

Then the unexpected happened. I was called to become senior and trainer.  Despite being a great challenge, this opportunity was a marvelous blessing.  Without a senior companion to rely on, my language skills vastly improved, and I was able to better understand what members, investigators and Morimoto Kyodai were talking about.  We began visiting Morimoto Kyodai once every one to two weeks, helping him with English and sharing gospel messages.  He didn’t realize it, but slowly his faith was building again.  He started coming to church more frequently, attending Sunday School and learning more of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

My third companion transferred away and I began training a new missionary.  We started to meet with Morimoto Kyodai once a week, often with the Elder’s Quorum President.  As we met, he continued to open up, letting us know the things which concerned him, and through the Spirit we resolved these together.  By this point Morimoto Kyodai was coming to church each week again.

As the New Year approached we began teaching about the Melchizedek Priesthood and the responsibilities and blessing that are with it and teaching “the oath and covenant of the Priesthood.”  Japanese was particularly fun.

I spent almost 10 months working in Nonami.  Four companions, one amazing experience of a lifetime.  We finished helping Morimoto Kyodai prepare for the Melchizedek Priesthood, and a few weeks after I transferred to other fields of labor, he received the Melchizedek Priesthood.  And he is still active today.  The Gospel is true.