Teaching and Learning by Example and by the Spirit

"Gospel teaching is universal and important. Truly, no greater responsibility can rest upon any one of us than to be a teacher of God's children. Our Savior's occupation was that of a teacher. He was the Master Teacher, and He invites each of us to follow Him in that great service." (Dallin H. Oaks, Oct. 1999)

During these last two weeks we have been impressed by the aspect of teaching others and allowing ourselves to be open to the teachings of others. We continually find that as we teach others, we also gain greater knowledge and wisdom. Joseph Smith taught that "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection" (D&C 130:18).

A couple of weeks ago, we were blessed to teach early morning seminary for two days. Elder Melton taught a lesson on D&C 45 about seeing the signs preceding the Savior's Second Coming and finding peace during these time. Sister Melton taught D&C 46 on creating a welcoming environment in our Church meetings. As we prayerfully prepared our lessons, and presented them to the eight students, we could see how worthwhile seminary is for these students in helping them prepare for life. We were impressed that we could get participation from each of the students.

A couple of missionaries in another zone asked Elder Melton, because of his Spanish language, to assist with a missionary lesson for a non-member at the Tokyo Temple Visitor's Center. As the topic was on making covenants with the Lord, the visitors center was a great spot as we all met in a room with large lighted pictures of the inside of the temple showing the baptismal font and a sealing room. The discussion ended with giving this young man an invite to prepare for baptism within six weeks. Once again it was a spiritual experience as we were able to have an open discussion due to diligently seeking the truth.

The trip to the temple to teach this young man was a little different as we attempted to ride the trains rather than drive. It was another learning experience as we changed trains a few times, found it could take several minutes to get from one platform to another, and adapting if we missed a stop along the way.

We spent one evening having dinner at the Branch President's home with his wife and three young children. They will be leaving in the next couple of months and it was a delightful evening getting to know all their family and feeling their spirit. It makes a lot of difference in meeting a family beyond just seeing them at church activities and we were grateful we were able to make it happen.

Speaking of which, with the Branch President's imminent departure, a new branch president was called this last week. They live on NAF Atsugi and we have visited them a few times. A really great family! We look forward to working with him and the new presidency.

We were able to attend the temple twice these last two weeks to perform endowments for people in our family. One was in English, the other was in Japanese where we used headsets. Sometimes it's just nice to sit together in the celestial room and talk about the meaning of the temple covenants, talk about family members and loved ones, and feel the peace that comes through the Spirit.

We attended our missionary zone conference where we could reunite with other senior missionaries and listen to the perspectives of the mission leaders. The focus of the conference was a lot about encouraging and working with the members. It was interesting that we had been talking to our district members about using the branch members more often in their teaching. Sister Melton even passed on the name of a new move in who said she wanted to teach with the missionaries. Amazing how sometimes themes and ideas that at first seem random, suddenly just come together.

We have been volunteering at the Atsugi Post Office once a month, which includes bringing some baked goods, in anticipation of later working more often during the holiday season. As we were finishing this month's shift, we were invited to attend a farewell for one of their team members who was separating from the Navy to start chiropractic school back home in Texas. We were invited to attend and it was quite an honor to be the only two to attend outside of their office. As we attended, we thought of how all these Navy enlisted and civilian employees demonstrate love and kindness in a fast pace work environment. It was an honor to be there!

Of course this time period included Mother's Day. It was wonderful that all three of our daughters called Donna, a couple of them even calling on their Saturday remembering it was already Mother's Day in Japan. The five missionaries in our small branch stopped by to present Sister Melton with a cake and saying she is like a mother figure to them as well; another lesson in love and kindness. She loves blessing them by baking desserts, mending clothes, and making silk pillow cases for the sisters as departing gifts.

Other activities we supported during this time included supporting Teacher Appreciation Day at the High School, playing with children at an orphanage, handing out coffee and snacks at the clinic for Nurse's Appreciation Day, training to help provide relief to sailors through the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, making Rice Balls with the Catholic group at Atsugi, working to support two Vacation Bible Study (Catholic and Protestant) happening this summer, and supporting the Young Single Adult Activities. One of the YSA activities included one to YSAs teaching us more about how to play pickleball which is becoming a new favorite.

We experience many lessons in the Gospel, some we give to others, and some we are allowed to receive. As we share the gospel through teaching, caring, and supporting others, we are also receiving back from the examples, kindness, and caring of others.

Elder and Sister Melton