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From Returned Missionaries
Dwayne N. Andersen-Excerpts from Autobiography
Tokyo Temple President
Part 25
A very fine couple (Jim and Shannon Bartlett) that had joined the church a year before, being introduced to the missionaries by Trudy and Rick, were now ready to be sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. We had previously agreed to act as their “father and mother” by joining with them at this special event. So we went on down to California to be with our family in the ensuing week or two. Jim had been kind enough to send us air tickets and to allow us to stay in a lovely condo he owned just on the outskirts of Carpinteria, where Trudy lived. While having dinner with them one night, a phone call came from Doug, who was in Provo. He said that I had received a letter that day, with the return address of The Office of the First Presidency. I asked him to open it and read it, while Peggy was on another phone, to listen together. We were thrilled to learn that this was the official call to become the first president of the Tokyo Temple and Peggy to become the matron. The letter instructed us to make arrangements immediately to meet with Elder Stone, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, who was over the temple department. Peggy was in tears again, so we shared this joyous news with the Bartletts, with their assurance that they would keep it confidential. Of course we shared it with Trudy and Rick–and Allen and Lucile, who had joined us at the condo.
During the interview with Elder Stone, I told him that our son, Douglas, had recently returned from a mission to Japan. I asked him if Douglas could be approved as a worker and trainer in the temple for a few months, because of his excellent language. That approval was given, so Doug was to begin training with us in the Provo Temple and learning the ordinances in Japanese. While visiting with Elder Stone in the initial interview, I was given a list of Japanese and American names to select two counselors to assist me in the Tokyo Temple presidency. I selected as first counselor, Yukus Inouye, a Japanese nisei (meaning, 2nd generation) who was a farmer and businessman in Alpine, Utah. The 2nd counselor was Yasuhiro Matsushita, originally from Sapporo, Japan, with whom we had experienced many wonderful, spiritual moments while serving as mission president. Since the temple would not be too busy, the temple department decided to have Brother Matsushita act as 2nd counselor and also temple recorder. May 14, 1980, was a very special day. Peggy and I, along with Yukus Inouye and his wife, Mary, were asked to come to President Kimball’s office. We were warmly greeted with hugs and kisses. Then we were escorted to The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve council room. We were later joined by Elder Stone, ecclesiastical director, and Derek Metcalfe, professional director of the temple department. And still later, President Tanner arrived; the last to join us was President Marion G. Romney. Earlier they had notified us that our children could be present. We called them as soon as we were notified. However, they had to come from Provo, making them a bit late. President Kimball asked the group to wait for our children. It was about twenty or more minutes’ wait. While we were waiting, we all engaged in conversation. President Kimball looked at me and said: “President Andersen, are you part Japanese?” I responded: “Yes, in here.”(pointing my finger to my heart.) Then President Inouye said: “It’s because he has eaten so much rice.” To which President Kimball chuckled and answered: “ I’ve eaten a lot of rice, also. Does that qualify me?” That brought some laughter from the group. (We were all a bit uncomfortable, waiting.)
Then Doug and Valerie arrived, so they proceeded with the setting apart of each of the principals and conferring the sealing power upon me and President Inouye. President Kimball set me apart first. He gave me authority to do sealings in the Tokyo, Provo, Salt Lake, and Hawaii temples. He paused a second, and then whispered to the other brethren: “Should we include the Jordan River Temple as well?” Bro. Metcalfe whispered back: “President, the Jordan River Temple is not dedicated yet.” So, President Kimball concluded the ordinance. President Inouye was set apart by President Nathan E. Tanner; and President Romney set Peggy apart as the matron. Sister Inouye was also set apart as an ordinance worker. Many hugs and kisses were given; and this time President Kimball kissed me on the lips. The reason for giving me the sealing power in the other temples was that we were going to receive some training in each of the temples. This was a very unforgettable memory for each of us.