Saints of the Rising Sun: Volume 1

Coming Soon... “Saints of the Rising Sun” Volume 1: "First Light" By Conan Grames The first-ever complete story of the Restored Gospel in Japan. Told in "The Work and the Glory" style. Solid history in a narrative form. Deluxe Soft cover, tradebook, 486 pages, Volume 1 of 3 Volume 1 will release on (or before) Sept 1, 2026, [Join the Beta Readers Club and get your copy now (at a deep discount) on the promise that you will read it a write an honest review before the Japan-intro date of Sept 10 or as soon as you can.] A masterpiece by Conan Grames that remains faithful to the historical facts while adding creative flair. Drawing on meticulous research into the records of the Iwakura Mission and sources from both Japan and the United States, it explores the origins of a distinctly Japanese form of Christianity through a compelling narrative. Masakazu Watabe Professor Emeritus, Brigham Young University Ph.D. in Linguistics ABOUT THE BOOK This book is the story of how the Gospel found its way into the land of Japan and then carries the reader thru the drama, suffering and joy of the first 50 years (1901-1948). It is based entirely in historical sources. From its divinely "accidental" beginning to its struggles and triumphant growth over the decades that followed. The beginning captures a little-known episode of the Iwakura Mission, composed primarily of Japanese leaders from the Royal Emporer class, in 1872—just after Japan had opened to the world. They departed from Japan, traveled through the United States, and continued on to Europe. On their way to Washington, D.C., they were caught in a blizzard in the Rocky Mountains, which rendered the transcontinental railroad impassable. As a result, the delegation was forced to stop in Salt Lake City. During this unexpected stay, the Japanese leaders developed close relationships with church leaders in Utah, who in turn were deeply impressed by the Japanese people. In 1901, after Japan granted religious freedom, President Lorenzo Snow decided to send missionaries to Japan— making it the only country in Asia where the Church had a lasting presence prior to World War II. The Church’s missionary efforts in Japan were, for the most part, not successful in terms of gaining converts to Christianity, and the mission came to an end after 23 years. Nevertheless, the story contains many compelling episodes: the struggles of Heber J. Grant as he faced discouragement in a foreign land; the missionaries’ efforts to grapple with a difficult language and an unfamiliar culture, as well as the enormous task of translating The Book of Mormon; the story of Nami, the first woman to convert to a religion that had only recently abolished plural marriage; and her later crisis of faith after losing everything in the Great Tokyo Earthquake and the war, including the deaths of her three grown children. The book also portrays other faithful women who laid the foundation for the future of the Church in Japan, as well as men who, quite literally, gave their lives for their faith. A FIRST FOR LATTER-DAY SAINT TITLES The book's release is timed to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Japan Mission on Sept 1st 1901 in Yokohama. The book will release in both English and Japanese on that date, This is a first in the annals of LDS publishing, to have the native language of the country featured along with the English. The second and third volumes will follow in close succession after the first Volume is released ABOUT THE AUTHOR Conan P. Grames is an independent historian, attorney, and researcher whose work focuses on the history and lived experience of Latter-day Saints in Japan. Combining academic rigor with firsthand cultural experience, his research explores the intersection of faith, culture, and identity in one of the most unique settings in modern religious history. Grames’ connection to Japan is both personal and enduring. Giving him 20 years of lived experience and professional engagement for a rare, multifaceted perspective on the development of the Church in Japan. Grames has contributed to the growing body of international Mormon studies, including co-authoring Unique But Not Different: Latter-day Saints in Japan, a data-driven examination of contemporary Japanese Latter-day Saint life. Grames’ writing is distinguished by its ability to bridge disciplines—bringing together historical narrative, sociological analysis, and personal insight. He is particularly interested in stories that illuminate the human dimension of faith: the struggles, sacrifices, and quiet acts of devotion that shape religious communities over time. His work highlights individuals whose lives reflect both the difficulty and the transformative power of belief in unfamiliar or challenging environments. In Saints of the Rising Sun, Grames uses a historical narrative style to tell the story of the early Church in Japan through a well-documented and history-based lens. Drawing on multiple first-person sources and informed by years of study and firsthand experience, Grames seeks to capture the emotional and spiritual realities behind the historical record—bringing to life the people, relationships, and moments that defined the Church’s beginnings in Japan. Through this approach, he aims to make history accessible, engaging, and deeply human, while remaining grounded in documented events. Grames continues to research, write, and speak on topics related to Latter-day Saint history, Japan, and the global development of the Church. His work reflects a broader interest in how faith traditions take root across cultures and how individuals navigate belief in contexts where it is not widely shared. MORE INFORMATION The three volume set will rlease in rapid succession, the books are: (1) First Light 初めての光　hajimete no hikari (2) A Shadow Falls　忍び寄る影 shinobiyoru kage (3) A New Dawn　 新たな夜明け arata na yoake