General Conference - October 2024

Please see below for the official announcement letter from the Stake:

Dear Tokyo South Stake, 

On behalf of the Stake Presidency, I would like announce the October 2024 General Conference viewing schedule for the Tokyo South Stake. General Conference will take place on October 5th & 6th in Salt Lake City. However, due to the time difference, our stake will observe it one week later. As such, the schedule for our stake will be as follows:

• October 6th: Fast and Testimony Meeting; all other church meetings held as usual

• October 12th: Saturday Sessions of General Conference

• October 13th: Sunday Sessions of General Conference

No church meetings or activities should be scheduled on October 12th or 13th. The church building may be used to broadcast General Conference, but otherwise the buildings should be closed throughout the weekend. During this dedicated weekend to view General Conference, we encourage families to gather in their homes, invite others to view the sessions together, and use it as an opportunity to minister to others.

We look forward to being able to spend a full weekend dedicated to hearing the words of the Lord's servants during the next General Conference.

Mandarin-Speaking Sacrament Meeting/Social Gathering Event - September 15 (Sun.) @ 4:00pm

The Kanagawa Stake presidency has set up a Sacrament Meeting/Social Gathering event for Mandarin-speaking members of the Church living in Japan and wish to extend a warm invitation to Mandarin-speaking members in the Tokyo South Stake to attend. Here are the details:

Date & Time: Sep. 15 (Sun)   4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Place: Yamate Ward, Kanagawa Stake

Address: 58-1 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama

Contents: Sacrament meeting (testimony)  4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Zoom ID: 943 4796 0154 // Passcode: lds

Social gathering/fellowshipping: 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Any interested in attending can sign up using the link below. The deadline is Septemer 13.

https://forms.gle/KM7ZxbsVMKcVo7Di7

Feel free to contact the following individuals should you have any questions:

President Katsuya Nagao, First Counselor, Kanagawa Stake Presidency

David Budd, Kanagawa Stake High Councilor

Nationwide Devotional with Elder Quentin L. Cook on Sept 13 @ 7:00 pm

Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be speaking at an upcoming Japan Nationwide Member Devotional. Please see below for details about the location, day & time, broadcast link, and who’s invited to see it live.

Place: Tokyo Temple Annex

Date: Friday, September 13 2024 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Who’s Invited: All members from the Tokyo, Tokyo South, Tokyo West, and Kanagawa stakes

Broadcast Link: https://jp.churchofjesuschrist.org/events/2409-jp-devo

Elder Cook will be joined by Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy and Bishop Gérald Caussé, Presiding Bishop of the Church. Members of the Area Presidency will also be in attendance and participating in the meeting. This devotional will be transmitted live on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, YouTube, and other media. After the broadcast, it will be available on the Church’s YouTube channel for 30 days. Video and text from this devotional will not be posted on Church apps or websites.

See below for the full letter from the Area Presidency.

Musical Fireside on August 14 at 6:00pm

The Tokyo North Mission is hosting an event on August 14 at 6:00pm featuring Nik and Darla Day. The Days have graciously offered to put on a musical fireside in which they will use music to teach gospel principles.

From President Tueller, the mission president:

“The target audience is non-member friends who are investigating the gospel. Missionaries are invited to bring their friends. If those being taught are also being fellowshipped by a young member or YSA, they may attend with the investigator and the missionaries. Otherwise, they are invited to participate over Zoom using the link in the flyer.”

They hope to have around 200 people including missionaries and friends.

Young Men Invictus Camp - June 11 to June 15

Invictus Camp is almost here!

We will be meeting at the Yokota Air Base Chapel on June 11th by 3:00 pm for those with Base access.

For those without Base access, the plan is to meet at the Yokota LDS church building at 2:00 p.m. on June 11th. (Check with your ward/branch leaders regarding travel to and from the event!)

Camp will be finished by 10:30 a.m. on June 15th.

Please ensure that you have paid the camp fee of $200 for each attendee to your respective Bishopric/Branch Presidency. It was due on May 15th.  Please also make sure you’ve have your parent/guardian sign and turn in the permission/medical release form to your local Bishopric/Branch Presidecy.

Please find below the packing list for the week. Ensure to bring your government issued ID, you will not be able to attend camp without this. Let's also learn from last year...and bring and apply sunscreen...:)

Youth leaders from each unit have planned activities. We are confident it will be an incredible experience and look forward to having you all at Invictus Camp!

Packing List

CASUAL CLOTHING FOR FOUR DAYS

• Pants, jeans, or shorts

• Shirts

• Socks/underwear

• Comfortable shoes for walking (there is a lot of walking)

• Hiking shoes

• Pajamas

• Swimsuit / rashguard

• Water shoes with backstrap for the rafting/canyoning day (can rent at the venue for 300 yen, not covered by Stake)

OTHER ITEMS

• Government issued ID with picture (passport, base ID, other)

• Signed permission slip / Medical release

• Sunscreen (remember what happened last year?!)

• Sleeping bag, or blankets/sheets, pillow, with mat/pad (we will be sleeping on floor)

• Eye mask and ear plugs (for those early/light sleepers)

• Backpack/daypack

• Towel

• Hat for sun protection

• Rain poncho (durable in case of multiple day usage)

• Water bottle (stay hydrated)

• Personal toiletry items (sunscreen, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, bug spray, etc.)

• Personal medications (prescriptions, cough drops, etc.)

• Spending money (for snacks, water shoe rental, incidentals, or emergencies)

• Scriptures (hard copy or electronic)

• Journal and pens/pencils

• Snacks for free time and evening

• Favorite board/card game

• Alarm clock

• Optional: instruments, etc. (bring at your own risk)

We strongly discourage participants from bringing electronic devices (laptops, tablets, gaming systems, etc.). We cannot guarantee the security of these items. In-line skates, skateboards, hover boards, and other athletic equipment are not allowed.

Label your luggage and personal items to avoid confusion and mix-ups.

CLOTHING GUIDELINES

• Be neat, clean, and appropriate in your clothing and grooming.

• Avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle, or behavior.

• Footwear should be appropriate for the activity and worn in all public areas.

Easter Concert on March 29 @ 6:45pm

An Easter Concert hosted by the Tokyo South Mission will be held on the evening of Friday, March 29, at the Tokyo Temple Annex.

In addition to musical presentations by missionaries, the concert will feature the Steinmore Strings, a string ensemble of Utah youth, and the First Session Choir, which is comprised mostly of choir members from the first session of the Tokyo Temple rededication ceremony.

This will be an opportunity to celebrate Easter, to commemorate the Savior's resurrection, and to reflect on the love of the Lord. We hope that members will take advantage of this opportunity to invite family and friends.

Date: Friday, March 29 @ 6:45pm (Doors open at 6:15pm)

Location: Tokyo Temple Annex building

Meiji Shrine Visit on April 20 (Sat.) @ 10:30am

Have you ever wondered what a torii gate means or why you wash your mouth and hands before approaching the inner sanctuary at a Shinto shrine? You can learn answers to these questions and more during the Tokyo South Stake Meiji Shrine Visit. 

Date: Saturday, April 20th

Time: 10:30 am

Location: Meiji Jingu 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557

Parking is available for free to visitors of the shrine during the duration of their visit. Please use public parking when you are not on premises at the shrine. See the P1 parking location on the map to know where to drive to enter the shrine. 

Priest Moriyasu Ito, of Meiji Shrine, will greet us at Sanshu-den hall near the sake barrels (*See #21 on above map, look for group signs when you arrive).

There will be a short film explaining some basic information about the shrine, followed by a presentation on Shintoism by Priest Ito, and then Q&A session - total duration approximately 1 hour depending on Q&A.

Visitors will exit Sanshu-den hall to experience a self-guided tour of the shrine. You will be provided with a digital map and general information explaining the similarities between Shintoism, the ancient Israelite tabernacle/temple and the Plan of Happiness and Salvation in The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

**Please register yourself and any additional family members and friends so that we will be properly prepared. Registration is due by Sunday, April 14. Not able to attend but would still like the digital information about Shintoism, Judaism and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Use the registration link to provide your email:  Meiji Shrine Registration Link

If you have any questions about this visit please contact April Cook.

Devotional for SA Sisters on April 20 @ 1:00pm

A special devotional for SA sisters will be held on Saturday, April 20, from 1:00 p.m. at the Koiwa Ward Church of the Chiba Stake in Japan. The special guest speaker for the devotional will be Sister Megumi Yamaguchi from Nagoya, Japan, who will share her story and testimony on the theme "I am a daughter of God, loved by my heavenly parents. The second part of the devotional will be a social gathering with light refreshments.

Date/Time: April 20 (Sat.) @ 1:00pm

Location: Koiwa Ward Building

Who’s Invited: SA Sisters

If you would like to go, you can sign up here.

Stake Priesthood Gathering & Campout - April 26 2024

The stake is pleased to announce a stake priesthood gathering and campout at the Tama Hills Recreation Center on April 26, 2024.

All Priesthood holders are invited to attend as Friday evening we will commemorate the 195th anniversary of the restoration of the priesthood.

Campsites have been reserved for all who desire to stay over. Please note that this is tent camping. Overnight stay is optional - feel free to join only for the activities on Friday, April 26.

Friends are welcome! Toddlers/children also welcome (males). 

-Anyone >15 will require base access in advance by providing details below.

-Campfire Gathering at 8:30 pm at amphitheater behind campsite #1.

-Bring your own dinner

-Breakfast provided

Please sign up at the link provided.

Other locations were considered but could not accommodate such a large gathering (or they didn’t allow fires, etc.). Any ideas for future activity locations are welcome.

Misawa and Iwakuni are encouraged to hold local events with assistance from the High Counselors from their respective units.

We look forward to celebrating the 195th anniversary of the restoration of the priesthood with you.

Stake Youth Dance on April 27 (Fri.) @ 7:00pm

It’s time to sport your most dazzling look and come enjoy a night of glamor and celebrity!
Walk the red carpet, get your photo taken, and you may even leave the night with an Oscar!
There will be plenty of food and fun to be had, and of course, dancing! We can’t wait to see you there!

Who: All stake youth (ages 13-18)

What: Stake Youth Dance

Where: Temple Annex building

When: April 27, 7:00pm to 10:00pm

Why: To have fun!

How: In style 😎