At age 15, Takashi Wada met an American, Latter-day Saint missionary near his home in Nagano, Japan. Takashi had been warned to avoid The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but he was struck by the uniqueness of the interaction. A few days later, another missionary stopped him, and he felt he should listen as this missionary began to share the story of Joseph Smith. Soon after, Takashi began to meet with the missionaries and learn about the gospel. Two years later, his parents consented to him joining the Church, and he was baptized. His life since has been one of service and dedication to the Lord.
Shortly after joining the Church at 17, Takashi moved to the United States where he completed high school and then attended Brigham Young University. At BYU, he received a bachelor’s degree in linguistics in 1990 and a master’s degree in business administration in 1996. Elder Takashi Wada has held several prominent positions with multinational corporations in the United States and Japan. However, in 2005 he was extended an offer to work for the Church. He and his wife decided to leave his successful career, saying, “If Brethren call, why should we not go?”1
As a Church employee, Elder Wada served as the director for temporal affairs for the Church in the North America West, North America Northwest, and Asia North Areas. Additionally, he and his wife, Naomi Ueno, served as mission leaders of the Japan Tokyo South Mission from 2013 to 2016.
Elder Wada has also served as a full-time missionary in the Utah Salt Lake City North Mission, branch president, bishop, high councilor, seminary teacher, and Gospel Doctrine teacher, and on March 31, 2018, he was sustained as a General Authority Seventy. He and his wife have two sons and strive to let the Lord direct them in all that they do.
Notes:
- “Elder Takashi Wada shares his conversion story to the Church after growing up Buddhist,” Church News. June 20, 2018. https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/6/20/23221460/elder-takashi-wada-general-authority-seventy-2018/
