Developing the Faith to Reap Book of Mormons!

Here's a miracle story for all of you!

We were going through some old areabook records and decided to visit a man named Inami San. We trekked up a huge mountain on our bikes and when we arrived at his house, he was surprised to see us. Apparently he met with the missionares about 30 years ago. He quickly ran back inside and came back out with an old copy of the "Morumon Kei" (old version of the Japanese Book of Mormon).

He opened up the back cover and taped inside was a photo of a young family along with their testimony. After closer inspection, I realized I knew this family! It was the Inomata's, a close family friends of ours. Brother Inomata was my father's trainer/missionary companion in the Sapporo mission. When my mother first joined the church, the Inomata Family helped fellowship her as a new member. They later introduced my parents to each other and well, the rest is history!

 

The Inomata Family photo and testimony taped inside a 30-year-old Morumon Kei.

When I told all this to Inami San he seemed surprised by my over-excitement. He offered to give me his Morumon Kei, but we thought it was best to do an exchange instead. He traded in the old, dusty Morumon Kei for a brand new, sleek, Book of Mormon! He liked his new Book of Mormon so much that he invited us to come back for another visit.

Best exchange ever.

My father (left) and Elder Inomata serving as missionary companions in the Sapporo Japan Mission.

It was also an answer to our prayer to find another prepared person this week. This experience reminded me of something that I've studied periodically over the past several months is the concept of faith. The Ensign recently released an article entitled "Developing the Faith to Reap" by Wilford W. Anderson of the Seventy. This article introduces two distinct levels of faith - the faith to try and the faith to REAP.

In short, the faith to reap is faith in God`s power and His ability to fulfill all things "pertaining unto things of righteousness" (D&C 11:14). A power that is prerequisite upon aligning our will with God`s, obedience and hard work. It's faith in a power beyond our own.

I've tested out this concept a number of times as a missionary and I`m a witness of His power. I've seen Him change hearts, answer prayers and place prepared people in our paths through a variety of mysterious ways. God wants to fulfill all our righteous desires. All we need to do is exercise faith in His power!

So much love for you all.

Church is true!

Matsuura Shimai