Elder Ulisses Soares visits Meiji Shrine and meets with Priest Seitaro Nakajima

August 28, 2019 – On a hot and rainy day in Tokyo, Japan, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with Elder Terrence Vinson of the Presidency of the Seventy, the Asia North Area Presidency, and their wives, took the journey from the Minami Sando, or outer gate, to the main sanctuary of the Meiji Shrine to renew 20 years of friendship between leaders of the Shinto religion and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Soares and Elder Vinson are touring South Korea and Japan, meeting with many of the Saints and church leaders.

Priest Moriyasu Ito led the journey to the shrine, describing its origins and purpose, to enshrine the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife Shoken, and demonstrating the purification washing prior to entering the shrine. Upon entering the courtyard, the contingent was led to the first sanctuary, where after washing their hands, a Shinto priest purified the guests by shaking a bough. Next, they entered the Naihaiden, or main sanctuary, where Elder Soares presented a sacred bough, or tamagushi, in respect to Emperor Meiji. Walking past a large drum, with a priest standing at the ready, they next entered the Kaguraden, or worship hall, a place where marriages are performed.

Elder Soares presented a small gift to Priest Seitaro Nakajima of a family sitting together with a Book of Remembrance and learning about their ancestors. Nakajima Guuji presented Elder Soares with a white vase embossed with the Crest of the Imperial Family.

Nakajima Guuji was happy to greet the group and told of how, 14 years ago, he went with a young priest, Moriyasu Ito, to the Church Administration building, in Hiroo. Nakajima was anxious for Ito to learn about other religions. He had a desire for him to learn from other religions and to work with them. Priest Nakajima discussed options with the church and arranged for Ito to go to Brigham Young University for a four-month stay. The relationship grew. Since that time church leaders have visited the shrine, including President Henry B. Eyring, an apostle at the time, with a group of mission presidents in 2007, and a visit by other church authorities shortly after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011.

Sitting around a small table, Elder Soares and Nakajima Guuji discussed the similarities between our religions, and the importance of religion to the Japanese people.

“I have studied your religion,” Nakajima stated. “There are many similarities. We both respect the family. We both respect our ancestors.

“The Shinto religion is unique,” he continued.” Most religions believe in one god. We believe in three types of Gods; the first are the ancient gods who created Japan and the gods of nature; the second are the spirits of people with extreme virtue. We believe in people or things we can trust, much like saints in Christian religions; the third are our ancestors.” Nakajima explained it is important for us to respect our ancestors and teach our family. “One day I will die and meet my ancestors. I must pass on virtue to my family.”

Elder Soares agreed that we also believe that we will live together with our ancestors someday. We seek out information about our ancestors. We cherish our families. He then asked, “How can help others find faith?”

“We do that in our daily lives,” Nakajima Guuji explained. “I think it is more important to be grateful in our daily lives than to have a special sense of faith. The other day, we had a day of purification and two of our grandchildren came to the house and stayed for a time. Morning and night, I prayed. The grandchildren sat quiet and listened. Our daily lives are an act of faith. Many people have lost faith,” he continued. “So, I talk to them about the importance of family.”

Elder Soares asked, “Why is faith important to the people of Japan?”

Nakajima Guuji replied, “If we remove faith from a person, that person becomes animalistic. Many people are sad and losing faith and I fear it. If we lose our faith, we become animal-like. Being satisfied is the beginning of tragedy.”

Elder Soares replied, “This is a world-wide problem.”

Elder L. Todd Budge, Second Counselor in the Asia North, has lived in Japan for 20 years, as a missionary, businessman, and mission president. Over the years, he has developed a friendship with Moriyasu Ito. Elder Budge told of an incident where his daughter, who also served a mission in Japan, heard someone speaking Japanese at BYU. She approached the man and found out it was Ito-san, and that he knew her father. Elder Budge invited Ito-san over to his home for dinner, renewing old ties. “I do not believe it was a coincidence my daughter met Ito-san,” he said.

Nakajima Guuji agreed. “There is a spiritual connection, or en, between all of us. I believe it is a good connection. We can choose how we react to it.”

Afterwards, Elder Soares said he was very impressed with Nakajima Guuji. He felt that he is a very good man. He also was impressed with the common ground that we shared, especially the value that the Shinto religion places on family. “It was a special experience. I felt a connection because of the truths that we share.” Elder Soares expressed a desire for the Japanese people to learn more of the truths of the gospel through further exchanges.

“Inter-faith work such as this is important because it breaks down barriers and helps connect God’s children.” Elder Soares stressed the importance of members living the gospel in faith so that their friends and families will see their joy and light and desire to have what they have. “Members must understand the power of inviting others. By showing our faith our families and friends can see our light and through the Spirit feel our Heavenly Father’s love.”