メリディアン

日本語

帰還宣教師から

From Returned Missionaries

Dwayne N. Andersen-Excerpts from Autobiography

Mission President continued

戻る

Part 23 

THE LAST TWO MONTHS OF OUR MISSION CALL

The last few months of our mission were very chaotic. I was trying to meet new missionaries, attend to the mission business, as well as resolving the last-minute problems that surfaced in getting the Hawaii Temple project launched. About a month before the temple trip was to take place, I was quite surprised to get a letter from President Owen Cook from the Church College of Hawaii. He offered me a counseling position at that institution. It was a shock to me, as I knew nothing about the employment possibilities at that school. I had not sent in any applications or resume to them. I did know President Cook very well, as he was the Assistant Superintendent at the Mt. Diablo School District in Concord, California, where I spent six years as a teacher and psychometrist. Also, when the church divided the Concord Ward, I was made Bishop of the Concord Ward and he was made Bishop of the Concord II Ward. The only explanation to this God-sent blessing that Peggy and I could come up with was that Elder Hinckley had had a hand in making this employment opportunity possible. I sent an immediate reply to President Cook stating that I was interested in the employment offer and would discuss it with him when we came to the Hawaii Temple with the Japanese saints. 

After arriving in Hawaii, I enjoyed a splendid interview with President Cook. We discussed old times and the prospects of my joining the Church College of Hawaii faculty as a counselor. A night or two later, I was unable to sleep, so I arose and went into the living room where we were staying. I knelt in humble prayer and poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father. I had the most peaceful and joyous feeling envelop me. It brought me to tears; and I knew that I had received the Lord’s confirmation for my decision to accept a counseling position at CCH. I was so excited that I awakened Peggy; and she rejoiced with me at this special spiritual experience I had just received. 

The temple experience for the Japanese saints was more wonderful and more productive than we had ever hoped for. President and Sister Adney Komatsu, the new Northern Far East Mission president and wife, accompanied us on our return flight to Japan. A nice reception was held on the mission home grounds to welcome the Komatsus and bid farewell to the Andersens. I had a few days to work with President Komatsu and to pack up our possessions. It was extremely difficult to bid farewell to the many Japanese and servicemen who came to the mission home and airport to bid us goodbye. The bonds of love and respect were very strong. We had become one big family! This experience has been the greatest highlight of my life. The inspiration and assistance of the Lord was felt in every step along the way of our wonderful assignment in Japan. 

During our return trip, we were given the opportunity of visiting Peggy’s folks in Douglas, Arizona, and my mother, who was a full-time missionary in the Oregon Portland Mission. We also made a stop-over in Salt Lake City to make a report to the First Presidency and some of the Quorum of Twelve. President McKay was unable to attend because of his health. All the brethren who were present were pleasantly surprised about what was going on in the church in Japan, except for Elder Hinckley, who had played a great role in the development of the church in Japan. The children were given the opportunity of singing “We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet” in Japanese for these general authorities.