SAPPORO, JAPAN

In 1949, Elder Matthew Cowley of the Quorum of the Twelve stopped in Japan on his way home from New Zealand to dedicate the first building acquired by the Church after the war. In that prayer, Elder Cowley prophesied that "temples would dot the land of Japan." An early missionary in the Northern Far East Mission remembers Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then of the Quorum of the Twelve, also prophesying of a time when there would be multiple temples in Japan, and specifically a temple in Hokkaido. Evidence of the fulfillment of these prophecies was seen on Saturday, Oct. 22, when members of the Church in northern Japan witnessed the groundbreaking of the Sapporo Japan Temple, the third temple to be constructed in that land. The temple will serve 7,411 members who live on the island of Hokkaido and in the Aomori District on the north end of Honshu. (The other two temples in Japan are in Tokyo and Fukuoka.)

Rendering shows future Sapporo Japan Temple, including beautiful Japanese gardens on the grounds.

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Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the First Quorum of the Seventy presided at the groundbreaking. He was joined by Elders Michael T. Ringwood and Koichi Aoyagi of the Seventy and their wives. The ceremony took place on a rainy, windy day. Elder Ringwood, commenting on the weather, said "We had about 900 members who sat through a rain storm for about two hours. This is an indication of how much they desire to have a temple here in Hokkaido. We felt the faith of so many wonderful members of the Church today who have long waited and long prayed for this opportunity." Before 1980 members from Japan traveled to Hawaii or Salt Lake City to attend the temple. When the Tokyo Japan Temple was dedicated in 1980, the members from northern Japan have continued to travel at great expense to attend the temple there.

Photo courtesy Asia North Area

Elder Koichi Aoyagi of the Seventy and a member of the Asia North Area presidency, conducts the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sapporo temple.

Photo courtesy Asia North Area

The groundbreaking ceremony not only turned the soil for the temple, but it broke new ground in the Church's public affairs efforts in Japan as it was attended by many local and national government leaders including the former prime minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama. In brief remarks to the congregation, Mr. Hatoyama commented on the work of the Church and its members for the people of Tohoku following the earthquake and tsunami in March. "You have made many social contributions in a spirit of service. I cannot express my feelings toward the quiet service you have rendered with kindness on behalf of the people [of Tohoku]."

Elder Stevenson expressed his feeling that the Church is receiving a new level of recognition and support from civic government leaders as a result of its volunteer efforts and humanitarian aid to the people of Japan over the last several months.

Prime Minister Hatoyama stayed to the end of the service, taking up a shovel with the Area Presidency and other dignitaries to break ground in the rain for the new temple. As he left, he stopped and waved to the crowd. Members broke out in spontaneous applause, showing their appreciation for the former leader of the national government who flew to Sapporo especially to honor them on a very wet, but very special day.

In comments given before offering the dedicatory prayer, Elder Stevenson said, "In the temple we pray, worship and perform ordinances that bind our families, both our ancestors and posterity for eternity. I have often quoted the words of my son when he was a young boy. 'You are never lost when you can see the temple.'" With members' eyes moist with both tears and rain, Elder Stevenson began the prayer. "We bow before Thee at this beautiful site chosen by Thee and thank Thee for the faithfulness and sacrifice of the members and converts in all of Japan."

Photo courtesy Asia North Area

Photo courtesy Asia North Area

Seiji Katanuma, a long-time member in Hokkaido and former Area Seventy, gave a brief history of the Church in his remarks. The first missionaries came to Sapporo in 1905 but left in 1924 when the mission was closed, leaving behind a handful of members, most of whom could not be found following World War II. Missionaries returned to Hokkaido soon after the mission was re-opened in 1948, and the Church has seen steady growth there ever since, laying the groundwork for the fulfillment of the prophecies of Elders Cowley and Hinckley.

Elder Koichi Aoyagi of the Seventy and a member of the Asia North Area presidency conducted the groundbreaking ceremony and reflected on his own memories of Sapporo. "I was a missionary here in Hokkaido 46 years ago. The members in the Sapporo Branch back then said to me, 'Someday we will build a temple in Sapporo.' I am happy that this day has come."

Former Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, commends the Church for its humanitarian efforts.

Photo courtesy Asia North Area

Hundreds gather in rain to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sapporo Japan Temple on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Photo courtesy Asia North Area

Photo courtesy Asia North Area

Photo courtesy Asia North Area