By Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
Of the Presidency of the Seventy
From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University—Idaho on May 17, 2005.
In 1951 Masako Kato met the missionaries in her hometown of Yokohama, Japan. When the missionaries began to speak of spiritual things, she felt something and allowed them to teach her about the restored gospel. During this time both Masako's older sister and mother died. She was emotionally devastated but still attended the Church's little branch—even on the Sunday after her mother passed away. During the opening hymn, the power of the Spirit brought her to tears, and she gained a witness of the eternal nature of life.
Masako wanted to be baptized, but her father would not give his permission. She was of legal age, but out of respect for her father, she honored his wishes. However, she continued to attend Church meetings and participate in Church activities.
The missionaries suggested that it might be good for her to share the gospel message she had come to know. Seemingly unafraid, she invited co-workers to attend church with her. A few came to some social activities, but one, Shozo Suzuki, also came to Sunday meetings. He had a good feeling about what he heard, and he consented to receive the missionary discussions. After several months Shozo accepted the challenge to be baptized. Masako decided it was time to again seek her father's permission to be baptized, which he gave. On August 4, 1952, Masako and Shozo were baptized.
A few months later a young missionary approached them and suggested they think about marriage—to each other. This surprised them, especially Shozo. However, it prompted him to think about Masako in a different way than he had before. Not long afterward, on April 29, 1953, they were married.
Brother and Sister Suzuki were blessed with nine children. Seven of their children served full-time missions. Eight married, all in the temple. Brother Suzuki has served as a branch president, district president, mission president, president of the Japan Missionary Training Center, regional representative, and patriarch. From Masako's determined desire to join the Church have come 54 righteous members of the Suzuki family. Indeed, "out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33).
These same blessings can be found everywhere the Church is established. They can even happen in your own family.