In a former post regarding the friends we made in Japan, one of those friends was Yuichi Uchida, a retired French professor who came weekly to our English classes. His English was perfect, but he came because he enjoyed speaking English with others and because he was curious about the Mormon church. He even attended our Sunday School classes, which Elder G and I also taught in English.
Over the nine months we spent in Nakano, we developed a great friendship with Yuichi. He invited us to his home numerous times to discuss various topics, oftentimes Mormonism. Many times we were accompanied by the Assistants; other times we were part of a crowd of "foreigners": Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, etc. These discussions were always enjoyable as Yuichi seemed to ask
just the right questions to encourage a lively discussion.
just the right questions to encourage a lively discussion.
During our time there and upon our return home, we continued to invite Yuichi to come to Utah to spend time with us. He always said he was too old to do so, so we were very surprised to receive an email that notified us of his coming October 18-October 28! We were excited to share the beauties of our state. including the red-rock country down south and even Yellowstone up north. However, upon his arrival we soon learned that he did not want to sightsee. Instead, he was here to "study Mormonism."
Yuichi spent he weekend with us, three days in Salt Lake in a hostel, two days in a motel in Provo, and then back with us for the weekend before flying home Monday morning. We had consistently prepared ourselves to accept the fact that his quest was totally intellectual. He was interested in the Church on an intellectual basis just as he was interested in studying people of various other countries and religions. We were hoping for more but not really expecting more. However, by day nine, we were given a real surprise--a miracle! Overall, his visit with us produced many blessings as well as miracles!
1. The miracle of God's creation of Cascade Springs as well the creation of some seemingly almost-prehistoric great dane-massif!
2. The blessing of experiencing friendly "ward community" as we came together for food, conversation, and laughter.
3. The miracle of his arrival coinciding with that of Elder Olson's arrival so that he was able to attend his Homecoming.
4. The blessing of attending the Primary Program, where he witnessed the children bear strong testimonies in word and song.
5. The blessing of reuniting with former Nakano missionaries right here in our home.
6. The blessing of experiencing the Church's miraculously vast collection of genealogical data, the largest in the world.
7. The blessing of connecting with Elder Olson and touring Temple Square with him. Likewise, the miraculous meeting of him and Elder Hogue's father in the middle of Temple Square!
8. The blessing of being taught at Temple Square by two sweet, young LDS Sisters, one from Thailand and the other from Brazil.
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9. The miracle of being connected to Professor Watabe through his sister-in-law in Tokyo (unknown to us) and the blessing of being able to attend his and other Japanese classes at BYU.
10. The blessing of being able to tour BYU campus and comprehend the meaning behind what he called "shiny faces."
11. The blessing of being invited to Professor Watabe's home and the miracle that perhaps Yuichi, his wife, and the professor will be able to participate together in some type of Mormon study center in rural Japan.
12. The blessing of reuniting with Elder Hogue's parents for a wonderful visit after the football game in Provo.
13. The blessing of experience another miracle of God's creation, beautiful Sundance resort at the base of Mount Timpanogos.
14. The blessing of being able to attend the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir after being cordially escorted and seated in prime seats. There, his heart was dearly touched as he witnessed the choir and orchestra's farewell song presented specifically to us in attendance.
15. The blessing of reuniting with the two sisters on Temple Square so that he could tell them good bye.
16. The blessing of again being cordially guided through the beautifully impressive LDS Conference Center.
17. The blessing of being invited to share a very pleasant dinner with another wonderful Midway family, Dick and Judy Sanders and their children.
I have set Miracle #18 apart from the others as that was a miracle for Jim and me.
18. The miracle of Yuichi offering to give a prayer, not once but twice--the most humble and sincere prayers Jim and I have ever witnessed.
After knowing him for almost two years and knowing that he did not want to pray to a God he didn't know existed, we thought it would be a long time--if ever--that he would want to pray. He will never know how surprised and THRILLED we were to hear him offer such sincere and beautiful prayers as he did. We will never forget those two beautiful experiences!
His visit with us was truly such a memorable one! To see him progress in his feelings towards the Church and its programs was so rewarding. We are so grateful to have been a part
of his "Mormon quest" here in Utah.
Enclosed is a picture of him, the Mizoguchis, and the High Priest Leader from the Nakano Ward.
of his "Mormon quest" here in Utah.
Enclosed is a picture of him, the Mizoguchis, and the High Priest Leader from the Nakano Ward.
Although we pray for Yuichi's eventual conversion, we will always be the dearest of friends whether or not he chooses to join the Church. Our friendship with him has been a very, very special event in our lives.
