Area Authority in Japan

“Sometime after I began attending church,” says Elder Hitoshi Kashikura, an Area Authority Seventy in the Asia North Area, “I noticed there were times when there were no flowers adorning the pulpit on the Sabbath. I noticed that when there were flowers on the pulpit it comforted the heart.” Making this realization prompted Elder Kashikura to learn ikebana, or floral arranging, a hobby that now gives him much pleasure. But it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that has brought the most comfort to his heart.

As a university student in 1960, Hitoshi was a young man with many troubling questions. Together with other students concerned about U.S.-Japanese relations, he carried flags and led street demonstrations. At this time he also began to study world political systems and religions. On one of his daily trips to the university library, he read about the Prophet Joseph Smith. Much of what he read was negative, yet it stated that Joseph Smith had restored the ancient Church of Jesus Christ. Enough interest was kindled that he began attending church. “The testimonies and acts of love shown by the missionaries were what led me to gain a testimony through the guidance of the Holy Ghost,” says Elder Kashikura.

After joining the Church, he desired to find a wife who would help him build the Lord’s kingdom. In 1964 he married Tomoko Konda; the couple now have six children. Elder Kashikura currently is chief manager of the design and engineering department of an engineering company in Japan.

“While it is a simple thing in a life of faith,” says Elder Kashikura, “I have truly, truly learned the importance of always praying. When one prays from the heart, it increases the faithful heart. And when one has a faithful heart, a deeper love grows. When love grows, it leads to the ability to treat those around us kindly. Praying unceasingly will bring about a better life as a member of the Church.”