“The Beginning of an International Church”

On April 20, 1967, the Saints in Osaka gathered in their newly completed meetinghouse. Hugh B. Brown, a member of the Church’s First Presidency, was there to dedicate the building. During the meeting, Brown told the audience that he envisioned a day when General Authorities, even an Apostle, would be called from Japan.

On the morning of April 3, 1975, Brown’s vision was partly realized. Adney Y. Komatsu, one of the many Hawaiian Saints of Japanese descent, was asked to meet with Church President Spencer W. Kimball. Kimball asked him to serve as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and a General Authority of the Church. Komatsu later reported being initially so stunned that he was speechless. After some time, he answered that if the Lord was asking for his service, then he would serve. After Elder Komatsu accepted, Kimball leaned back in his chair and thoughtfully said, “You are the first non-Caucasian to be called as a General Authority,” adding, “This is the beginning of an international Church.”

Since Komatsu’s call, an increasing number of faithful men and women from outside North America have faithfully served in prominent roles in the Church. Among those called have been several from Japan, including Yoshihiko Kikuchi (First Quorum of the Seventy, emeritus; first General Authority born in Japan), Chieko Okazaki (former First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency; first Asian woman called as a General Officer), Kazuhiko Yamashita (First Quorum of the Seventy), and Koichi Aoyagi (Second Quorum of the Seventy, emeritus).