ニュースストーリー

BUILDING INTERFAITH BRIDGES

"If we look beyond our differences, together we can benefit individuals, families and society -- by building bridges of cooperation"

This theme welcomed 19 interfaith leaders to Meguro Gajoen, a beautiful reception center in the Tokyo area.  Guests were greeted by the Asia North Area Presidency and other local leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The dinner’s goal was to build bridges of understanding and tolerance to help religious leaders in this area work together in interfaith cooperation and service. 

The Muslim, Jewish, Shinto, Buddhist, Christian and other leaders enjoyed the delicious food (including halal and kosher dishes) as well as delightful musical entertainment by a string duo.  As a thank-you for participation, each attendee was given a gift of Deseret Honey and a music CD.  The honey (and the beehive on the bottle) has significance for this event -- it takes many individuals working together to get a good (and sweet) result (Please see sidebar).

Elders Michael Ringwood and Scott Whiting of the Area Presidency spoke briefly to the group and encouraged everyone to work together to solve problems, and offered Church support for worthy projects that address common problems.  “Mormon Helping Hands,” where the Church sponsors and provides volunteers for service projects, is one of the ways the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can help other organizations in their efforts.

When we spoke with the representatives of Japan IsraAID, (an NGO providing life-saving disaster relief, noted for their help for the Tohoku disaster), we learned the Church was working with them helping those affected by the recent tragic ferryboat sinking in Korea.

Toward the end of the dinner, Dr. Abdur Rahman Siddiqi, Chairman of the International Muslim Center Japan, took the microphone to thank the Area Presidency for the event and challenge everyone to work together.

It was a delightful event and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

(Sidebar)

HONEYBEES

Honeybees are driven to pollinate, gather nectar, and condense the nectar into honey. …Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybee’s contribution of honey to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon….[but this] one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey is vital to the life of the hive. The bees depend on each other. Work that would be overwhelming for a few bees to do becomes lighter because all of the bees faithfully do their part.

The beehive has always been an important symbol in our Church history. … Brigham Young chose the beehive as a symbol to encourage and inspire the cooperative energy necessary among the pioneers to transform the barren desert …

The beehive symbol is found in both the interiors and exteriors of many of our temples. …

All of this symbolism attests to one fact: great things are brought about and burdens are lightened through the efforts of many hands “anxiously engaged in a good cause.”

--M. Russell Ballard, 2012 Semi-Annual General Conference,

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sainte

 

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