2016 Asia North Area Presidency Interview

This (right) is the Area Vision, a part of the area plan (plan for the area - included with this month's edition of the Liahona) presented by the Asia North Area Presidency for 2016. The Asia North Area includes Japan, South Korea, and the islands of Guam and Micronesia. These words delineate a picture (vision) of how the Church throughout this whole area will develop. With the coming of the new year, let's take this opportunity to explore this vision, which we will all share going forward, with the guidance of Elder Scott D. Whiting, Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita, and Elder Yoon Hwan Choi of the Asia North Area Presidency.

(Editor)

Our Fundamental Hope

Elder Yamashita: Up until now, the Area Plan and Area Vision have been made for leaders only. I think members, especially young brothers and sisters and children, in most cases just passively did what the leaders told them to do and weren't aware of the Area Plan or Vision. However, this year we want to tackle it together. Each individual and family will unite and work on the same things, moving in the same direction.

Elder Whiting: At the very beginning, there are the words, 'Because we want to live with Heavenly Father again'. This is the fundamental desire in the heart of church members. If we simplify everything in the gospel, it comes down to our desire to return to our Heavenly Father. Therein lies the entirety of our fundamental motive and desire. We love, elevate, simplify, strive, strengthen, and invite to accomplish this desire, and by doing so, we find joy in the gospel.

Area Vision Keywords

Elder Whiting: The Area Vision contains several keywords (in color), and all of them are words that express action (verbs). The words are intentionally chosen to be open-ended (Translator's note: 'Open-ended' means that the ending, for example the answer or conclusion, is not set. Flexible change is possible.)

For example, we can add any words in the parentheses after the verb such as “We love (Heavenly Father).” “We love (Jesus Christ) (the gospel) (family) (the temple) (family history work)”, etc.

The word 'elevate' comes from our belief as an Area Presidency that we must aim for higher ground. We must further elevate our efforts to come closer to our Heavenly Father. We must deepen our conversion and strengthen our faith, and thus increase the number of converts.

Simplify- These days life is so complicated. Church members are busy, and it is difficult to have quality time with family members. It has become difficult to find joy in attending church on Sunday. We hope that members and leaders will be able to simplify both their lives and their church responsibilities so that they can joyfully spend time together as families and as brothers and sisters in the gospel.

We included the word 'strive'. We did this because we must reach these goals by putting forth our best efforts. Everyone must strive to make an effort to increase their spirituality. It also means that we must be even more strongly unified with our families, both in our homes and at church, and we strive for specific goals. (Translator's note - 'strive' is not simply making effort but has the nuance of working diligently towards a specific goal.)

'Strengthen' - We hear this word often from church leaders. It is used in various ways such as: Strengthen your faith. Strengthen your family, testimony, and brothers and sisters. It is used often in phrases such as strengthen your dedication to the gospel through family home evening, through home and visiting teaching.

We also included the word 'invite'. Invite people to come unto Christ. Invite non-member friends and families to learn of the gospel and receive blessings. Invite family members to continue to be active in the gospel. Invite less-active members to once more receive the blessings of the gospel. This is our duty.

Finally, 'Find Joy' -- Particularly through partaking of the sacrament, through renewing our covenants as a part of Sabbath worship, and through church attendance. It means to experience joy when you teach the gospel in your home and when you live the gospel in your daily life.

Elder Choi: The Lord said, 'I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.' (D&C 38:27) The Area Vision will lead us to unity. We need to invite people with charity. The joy we will find is joy in the Spirit.

A Vision for Us

Elder Whiting: These words are open-ended, and you can select and include a variety of meanings yourself. Stakes/districts, wards/branches, families, and individuals can each focus on what they feel is needed now, consider how they will act, and decide for themselves. That is why they are open-ended.

We have the desire 'to live with Heavenly Father again.' Think about who and how you need to love, elevate, simplify, and invite in order to help you return to Heavenly Father's presence. I would not make a goal of “I love ice cream more.” I’m not talking about that (laughter).

Japan and South Korea- Simplify

Elder Choi: The situation in Japan and Korea is similar. Technology is advanced. The economies of Guam and Micronesia are still developing. However, there are a lot of things we can learn from the members in Guam. They live very simple lives and have very pure hearts. I want the members in Japan and South Korea to understand this. On the other hand, I want to let the members in Micronesia know about a more mature way to live the gospel.

Elder Whiting: The members in Micronesia live very simply, but they are very happy. Even though they don't have a lot of material goods as found in Japan and South Korea, they feel great joy in their lives. They probably aren't working 12 hours a day. They might not have cars. It's an area without much electricity. Nevertheless, they are a happy people. From this, we can see that material goods are not absolutely necessary for our happiness. There must be something our societies can learn from this. When we come back from a visit to Micronesia, our view of things is changed, and we are elevated.

I think 'Simplify' is the most important thing for Japanese and South Koreans. If we simplify, we will be able to do the other things also. If we simplify our daily lives, we will be able to find more joy. We will be able to love more. We will be able to strengthen our families. We will be able to focus on elevating our own spirituality. We are currently investigating how we can make church responsibilities simpler as well.

Elder Yamashita: We need to think deeply about the story of Mary and Martha in Luke chapter 10. Japan and South Korea are truly too busy. We might be the ones making ourselves busy. We might be putting all our efforts into other things, while neglecting that which is most important. Thus, we need to think together about the Lord's words to Martha, '... thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful...'

Elder Choi: The Area Vision keywords are words that are used often by the General Authorities. Elevate, Simplify...these are not new words. Church leaders are always emphasizing these words. In General Conference this past fall, Elder Uchtdorf also spoke on the topic of simplifying. The Lord gives His living prophets revelation,so these words are not our ideas, but they come from the Lord. These verbs are words that have been given to the members by the revelation prophets have received. When we were assigned by the First Presidency to preside over this area, we became leaders to receive revelation for this area. This is because we understand this area well and receive inspiration for this area. As we study each of these words one by one, each person can receive further revelation for themselves.

The Prophet's Vision

Elder Yamashita: After the Area Vision， we have the Area Objectives, which will help bring about the Area Vision.

Area Objectives (This part is already translated. It is the same as the area plan.)

Individual/Family

Find joy in the gospel: Through increasing our understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and prayerfully applying the elements of the Area Vision, we will find greater joy in the Gospel.

Unit

1. Rising Generation: We will strengthen the rising generation -- both members and non-members.

2. Real Growth: We will deepen the conversion of the members and invite all to come unto Christ.

3. Self-Reliance: We will strengthen spiritual and temporal self-reliance individually and in the home.

Elder Whiting: This is a new approach for the Area Plan. It is very simple. We would like everyone, from children to older adult members, to understand this plan and ask themselves: What can I do to accomplish this plan? What is my role? What can I do to deepen my conversion, to strengthen the rising generation?

In this way we want members, as individuals, families, wards/branches, and districts/stakes, to become one in thought and approach, and fulfill this Vision.

Elder Yamashita: What I want everyone to understand is that this is the Asia North Area Presidency's plan and vision, but it is the same as the vision held by the living prophet and apostles. This is what they are emphasizing now. We have simply narrowed the focus to fit the area and made it simple and easy to remember.

Elder Choi: So that even young people can apply this vision to their everyday lives.

Elder Whiting: When we created this plan, we thought 30, 40, 50 years into the future. We fasted and prayed, listened to the words of the prophet, discussed with the area seventies and some auxiliary leaders, talked with our individual families and spouses, counseled together many times, considered all our various experiences, and were inspired to create this plan, to help us have the opportunity in the future to return to our Heavenly Father.

In the future, we may revise some of the objectives and goals that support the vision of the Area Plan. However, this vision itself may continue for some time in the area as a whole.

A Gospel of Action

Elder Whiting: The gospel is a gospel of action, so we must not be passive, must not just sit and listen, but must take action and get involved by our own free will. We must move forward with purpose. These words will remind us that we must take action towards our goal of returning to our Heavenly Father. That is why all of these words are verbs.

Isn't it easy even for children to remember? This is for every member of the Asia North Area. How can I show love in my daily life? How can I elevate? We want each person to think about these things individually. ◆