Latter-day Saint Convert helped save a branch in Japan

They were three months away from shutting down a church in Japan. In 1973, a tiny branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Almori, Japan, had gone nearly 2 years without a single baptism. Fewer than 10 people attended sacrament meeting, which included four missionaries. Even the branch president wanted to resign. Mission President Horyuchi gave a young missionary, Elder Takahhiko Asakawa, a deadline, 3 months.

If nothing changed, the branch would close. The instructions were direct. Relieve the branch president and serve in that role, reactivate less active members, increase church attendance, find new investigators, and perform baptisms. And there was a clear priority. They needed priesthood holders, adult men who could become long-term leaders. If the branch was going to survive, it needed stable leadership.

Then they began teaching a 14-year-old junior high school girl named Iko Narumi. She was young, not the strategic solution they were looking for. So, Elder Oakawa did not invite her to be baptized. Finally, she asked him, "When can I be baptized?" He told her to focus on her exams. She was still young. There was no rush. She replied, "Do you know how old Joseph Smith was when he met God?" She had a good point.

Her parents told her that if she passed her exams, she could be baptized. She studied hard, passed her exams, and was accepted into a good high school. And she was baptized. After that, everything changed. Narumi went with the missionaries to visit less active members. She would cheerfully say to older members, "Senpai, why don't you come to church? Let's go together." She practiced conducting music during lunch at school.

She brought friends to help clean the chapel. She joined in on lessons with the missionaries. She shared her testimony every chance she could. She invited people to church meetings. Her enthusiasm for the gospel was contagious. In 4 months, there were five baptisms. Attendance rose from six to 60. The missionaries were teaching 20 lessons a week. The missionaries began calling her the flower of Almori.

Years later, at a reunion in Provo, Utah, the missionaries who had served there talked about that fragile season. The conversation centered on one person, Narumi. Never underestimate what one member can do. I had the pleasure of meeting with this unofficial missionary now known as Sister Fukushi. She continues to be a blessing and strength to the Almori branch and was a good friend to my daughter when she served as a missionary.