And now it came to pass that Elder Sanderson must return homeward to reunite with his family. Yea, and we shall suppose that he will have a joyous reunion like unto that of Ammon and his brethren. Truly, Elder Sanderson had seen the blessings of the Lord upon he and his brethren. Yea, having been guided by the Spirit, he had been an instrument in the hands of the Lord in bringing many unto the truth. When he was discouraged and about to turn back, the Lord comforted Elder Sanderson and his brethren and said unto them: Go unto thy brethren, the Japanese people, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success. And thus we see that through the power and wisdom of God Elder Sanderson has been delivered again. "And [he and his brethren have] suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps [they] might be the means of saving some soul; and [they] supposed that [their] joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." (Alma 26:30)
Verily, it did pain Elder Sanderson that he must bid farewell to the land and people he had come to love so greatly. But we must have needs to suppose that "[he shall be] blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if [he] hold out faithful to the end [will be] received into heaven, that thereby [he] may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness." (Mosiah 2:41) For thus we have been taught by the learning of our fathers.
And now Elder Sanderson had experienced many things both new and strange. He had been taught in the language of Japanese and had tried to embrace the culture as his own, regardless of his towering size. Yea, he had learned many things and truly come to feel the love of the Lord. He had come to sing the song of redeeming love and truly had experienced that change of heart like unto President Baird before him. "And behold, the record of [Elder Sanderson] is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I make an end." (Omni 1:11)
Love,
Elder Sanderson
