Elder Gary E. Stevenson reflects on the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace in a land once defined by war

<p>On Sunday, Nov. 12, <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2015/10/29/23222691/elder-gary-e-stevenson-apostle-2015">Elder Gary E. Stevenson</a> of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/11/14/23960609/okinawa-japan-temple-dedicatory-prayer-elder-stevenson">dedicated</a> the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/okinawa-japan">Okinawa Japan Temple</a>, the fourth temple in <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/11/12/23957390/elder-gary-stevenson-dedicates-okinawa-japan-temple">Japan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>. While the first missionaries arrived in Tokyo in the early 1900s, the Church didn't have a presence in Okinawa until the 1940s, when World War II brought American servicemen to the area. During April 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2023/9/20/23883192/see-the-japanese-design-influence-in-the-new-okinawa-temple-as-interior-exterior-photos-are-released">a temple to be built </a>in this historic area. </p> <p>Elder Stevenson has a rich history in Japan, where he served as a young missionary and later returned as a businessman, mission president and area president. He joins this episode of the Church News podcast to talk about his love for Japan’s people and culture and the rich blessings a new house of the Lord brings to these temple-loving people.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">The Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Host <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/sarahdeseretnews-com">Sarah Jane Weaver</a>, reporter and editor for <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">The Church News</a> for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by <a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/">KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>