 | Missionary
moments: Answers to questions
By Mitsushi Suehiro, Uwajima Branch, Japan Okayama Mission
An employment transfer to a new region of Japan changed
my life in a wonderful way. In a new environment, I began paying
attention to things I hadn't noticed in the past. That included
pondering difficult questions about my life, and life
and death. My thirst for knowledge increased and my selection of
reading material changed to those I believed would be meaningful in my
life.
Before long, I purchased a copy of the Bible.
Although I didn't have a perfect understanding of this book, my
recognition that God exists increased dramatically. But the more I
learned about the teachings of the Lord from the
Bible, the more I was troubled in my heart. I was frustrated that I
wasn't seeing a change in my life. After a time, I was transferred back
to my previous employment office. On a late December day, I visited
several bookstores looking for books to read
during the New Year's holiday. At one store selling used books I saw an
unusual title - The Book of Mormon. It appeared to be a religious book
and as I thumbed through it, I felt strongly that it was similar to the
Bible, another book about Christ, and
that it contained something I wanted to know.
I bought the book and went home where I devoured it overnight from the first page to the end.
Two days later, I was about a third of the way
through the book for the second time when two foreign missionaries
visited me. They later told me they were inspired by the Spirit to
leave an appointment and ride their bicycles 10
miles to my house although they had never visited me before.
They gave me their card and as I read "The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," I realized that was the
name in the book I was reading. At that moment, I felt something like
an arrow of light piercing through my heart.
It was the first time I had an experience like that.
I cried to the missionaries, "Then you are from the Church in the book I am now reading!"
I received the discussions from the
missionaries and was baptized, feeling utmost joy. I knew the gospel
provided answers to the questions I had about my life, and life and
death. Words: 384
Section: Church News
Column:
Illustration: Color Illustration by Deseret News artist Robert Noyce.
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