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
Tokyo Temple President
Part 24
TOKYO TEMPLE CALL
On the 15th of February, 1980, I had stepped out of my office for an errand. Upon returning, my secretary was very excited. She said that Arthur Haycock, President Kimball’s secretary, had called me and asked that I return his call as soon as possible. I immediately did so. He said that President Kimball wanted to see me personally. I answered: “When?” He responded: “This afternoon. Can you arrange it and go to President Kimball’s home by 2:00?” Of course, I said yes and hung up the phone, going into shock. Surely this was a dream? All the office staff was standing at attention, faces filled with excitement, and wondering what was happening. This was about 10:30 a.m. When I arrived home shortly after that, Peggy was lying on the family room couch, not feeling well. Doug had stayed home from school, sick. They were both surprised to see me at this time of day and said in unison: “What are you doing home at this time of day?”
I usually took a bag lunch and did not come home on regular days. I explained what had happened and that I had an appointment to meet President Kimball at his home at 2 p.m. today. They thought I was kidding; but soon Peggy burst into tears, as we discussed what might be happening. I prepared myself early enough to give me time to locate the President’s home, hoping not to get lost. I arrived about an hour early. I was fortunate, for as I started down President Kimball’s street, I noticed ahead of me that the president was just getting out of his car, with the help from his security men. They assisted him to the front door where he disappeared from my view. Driving a short distance away to find a parking place and awaiting my appointed time, my heart was pounding.
On time I knocked on his door. The door opened and there stood President Kimball. After introducing myself and mentioning the call from his secretary, I was then greeted with a hug and kiss on my cheek. He said that he was in the middle of an interview and directed me to visit with Sr. Kimball in her kitchen. Sr. Kimball was very charming and gracious, which put me at ease. I noticed that the kitchen counter was lined with bottles of medicine of every kind. (Since then I have learned that that is what happens when one gets older!) President Kimball soon appeared and escorted me into the living room.
As soon as I was seated, he said: “You have been selected to be the first president and to preside over the new Japanese Tokyo Temple.” He asked me if there was anything that might stand in the way of my accepting this call from the Lord. I assured him that there was nothing standing in the way and that I would be happy to do anything he wanted me to do. With a twinkle in his eye, he responded: “Very good.” We then spent a few more minutes visiting together. Just before leaving, I said to him: “Now, President, you know that my knowledge of the Japanese language is extremely limited.” He acted surprised and replied: “No, I thought you had a good command of the language.” He asked me who would know what my exact abilities were. I told him that Elder Gordon B. Hinckley and Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi knew of my activities among the Japanese. President Kimball then remarked: “Well, then, let’s keep this position open for a while. We don’t want to make a mistake.” I told him that I, too, wanted him to be sure about his decision. Again, upon departing, he gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek. I returned home with mixed feelings in my heart. When I reported my interview to Peggy, she burst into tears, saying: “We’ve failed the Lord! We’ve failed the Lord!” There was only one thing to do–and that was to wait.