There was an experience in my life which has often reminded
me of the joy resulting from asking the question, what
would the Savior do in this situation?
I was among the first wave of Marines to go ashore in Japan
following the signing of the peace treaty
following World War II.
As we entered the devastated city of Nagasaki, it was one
of the saddest experiences of my life.
A large part of the city had been totally destroyed.
Some of the dead had not yet been buried.
As occupation troops, we set up
headquarters and went to work.
The situation was very bleak and a few of us
wanted to give more.
We went to our division chaplain and requested
permission to help rebuild the Christian churches.
Because of government restrictions during the war,
these churches had almost ceased to function.
Their few buildings were badly damaged.
A group of us volunteered to repair and replaster these
chapels during our off-duty time so that they would be
available for the holding of Christian services again.
We had no command of the language.
All we could accomplish was the physical labor of
repairing the building.
We found the ministers who had been unable to serve during
the war years and encouraged them to
return to their pulpits.
We had a tremendous experience with these people as they
again experienced the freedom to practice
their Christian beliefs.
An event occurred, as we were leaving Nagasaki to return
home, that I will always remember.
As we were boarding the train that would take us to our
ships to return home, we were teased by a lot
of the other Marines.
They had their girlfriends with them and
saying goodbye to them.
They laughed at us and indicated that we had missed
the fun of being in Japan.
We had just wasted our time laboring and plastering walls.
Just as they were at the height of their teasing, up
over a little rise near the train station came about 200
of these great Japanese Christians from the churches
we had repaired, singing "Onward, Christian Soldiers."
They came down and showered us with gifts.
Then they all lined up along the railroad track.
And as the train started down the tracks, we reached out and
just touched their fingers as we left.
We couldn't speak.
Our emotions were too strong.
But we were grateful that we could help in some small way
in reestablishing Christianity in a nation after the war.
I know that God lives.
I know that we are all His children and that He loves us.
I know that He sent His Son to the world to be an atoning
sacrifice for all mankind.
And those who embrace His gospel and follow Him will
enjoy eternal life, the greatest of all gifts of God.
I know that He directed the Restoration of the gospel
again here upon the earth, through the ministry of the
Prophet Joseph Smith.
I know that the only lasting joy and happiness we will ever
find during our mortal experience will come by
following the Savior, obeying His law, and keeping His
commandments.
He lives.
This is my witness to you, in His holy name, even Jesus
Christ, amen.