IN OUR DEEPEST AGONY HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US COMFORTLESS

by: Norberto Betita

In our walk along and down our Jericho road---which Christian writer Origen meant the world---we are often confronted with some miserable circumstances that put us down the lane of dejection and hopelessness. The trials and tribulation that we encountered are then molded to become our personal crosses to carry as we follow the lonely path of our Calvary’s hill into the summit of our Golgotha. Many amongst the weary travelers fall victims of impatience and desperation as to cut short their journey by their own. Some became lost into crooked paths of addiction and obsessive passions and so wallow into the mire of desolation and anguish of soul. Others among the obedient who suffered even in righteousness and virtue felt abandoned and in their deepest agony together with the Psalmist cry: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent” (Psalm 22:1-2).

However, some among the faithful tried to find strength from the weight of their very own burdens and slowly trail and even crawl their way up the lonely road of failures and trials to rise above their storms to see the sunshine. They tried to find joy and happiness while struggling to cross the boisterous and tempestuous blizzards of life. These enduring souls have developed the faith that no matter the darkest nights of their lives there will come the elegant sunlit of a dawning day. They believed that they have to find time to win their painful battles in order to live on and find relief. They trust in the Holy One to carry them through away from their besieged conditions. 

My personal Jericho road was also full of blizzards and turbulent drives. Dating back from a few days of my infancy---as I have been told by my grandparents---up to the days when I came to know and understand about life and on to this day of my seniority, I have been subjected to physical afflictions which seemed to become my permanent share of earthly trials. For twenty five years since I have been carrying the burdens of an unknown skin disorder which up to this time is still the focus of medical research. Its accompanying physical malady is increasingly becoming a very heavy burden as I come of age. Not only does it generate severe pains and sufferings but it also derails my career opportunities, and my social and emotional life. For so long I tried to weather the storms and just enjoy the beauty of my Calvary’s hill and the wonders of my Golgotha with the support of my family. Through the years I found meaning and continually enjoy from the comfort of my deep understanding of the purpose of life and the glory that is promised to those who endure well. 

In times of severity however, I felt that my person becomes very much limited and most often inadequate. For years my dear wife has to patiently take both her maternal role and part of my role as provider in order to find balance in accomplishing our common goals and the ultimate welfare of the family. The gravities I encountered of my afflictions require money, time and effort and physical attention. I am grateful that my wife is ever always by my side to attend to me and assist in finding temporary supplementary resources to cover whatever inadequacies that result from the unfailing demands of my illness. Time and again I realized I have to be dependent on the Lord for help. I developed the faith that without Him I am totally nothing. I came to know that He will never forsake one faithful soul who comes to Him in earnest prayer.

In times of my severest conditions, I sometimes feel that I am somehow forsaken of the Lord, although in actuality I am not. During such daunting situations I am often lead to imagine myself in a setting where like the prophet Joseph Smith, in his most distressing experience at Liberty Jail, asks: “O, God where art thou, and where is the pavilion which covereth thy hiding place”(Doctrine & Covenants 121:1). Perhaps the feeling is impelled by the depths of my agony. Yet never did I attempt to question God that way. I am confident and most trustful of His promises. Instead I would plead; “if this be my lot, please allow me to know my place in thy kingdom should I ever endure my tests in mortality.” Then I found answers in my dreams, and sometimes through direct inspiration to read particular scriptures. That’s when I know that He is real and His presence can always be felt. 

Recently, after our temple visit I have my continuing afflictions felt in pains of awful enormity. After a week of most painful suffering and despite priesthood blessing, after I have done all that I could through medications, I felt totally deflated but never alone. In the stillness of dawn after a seemingly long and agonizing walk to the rest room which is just a few feet away from our bedroom, it occurred on me why I have to suffer this much. I have tried to be worthy and to live a life that I thought was in accord with God’s plan for me. Although my question was not in any way directed to God, as I laid down back into my bed I was caught up into a consciousness of those events in the Savior’s life, long prophesied by the prophet Isaiah and the actual experiences of His sacrifices at Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary’s Hill.

In the prophecies of Isaiah I am reminded of the Lord’s comparing His life’s experiences in which He had “trodden the winepress alone,” “there was none to help,” “there was none to uphold” (see Isaiah 63:3, 5). Repeated in my thoughts was the Lord’s Gethsemane experience where while His beloved Apostles Peter, James and John took comfort in deep sleep, He personally suffered alone for the burdens of the sins of all mankind, where “…He tremble because of pain, bleed at every pore, and suffer both body and spirit” (Doctrine & Covenants 19:18). Then in the depth of unspeakable anguish, pleaded; “…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). 

The day did come that He was brought upon the common hall after which they stripped and crowned Him with plaited thorns and mocked Him. They spat upon Him and smote His head and led Him towards His eventual crucifixion (see Matthew 27:28-31). From such indescribable sufferings echo the words of Isaiah: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows... But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).

All along I realized I am not totally deserted as a result of my afflictions as did the Lord in His Atonement. I am not alone in my deepest agony. My wife and family are always beside me ever ready to help even in one most tender touch of the hand. And there is always that comforting assurance from God that He is always reachable on bended knees. Then I was even relieved as my reflections led me into the final chapter of Christ’s immense sufferings while hanging on the cross at Calvary. 

Earlier in His ministering tour He always felt that He will not be left alone. He told His disciples, “…he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). He added, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me” (John 16:32). Yet in the final moments of most terrible pains He petitioned His Father, “…My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46). The thoughts of such excruciating agony not worthy of the only sinless man who ever lived on earth, while absolutely alone---temporarily but totally bereft of the comforting Spirit and even the intimate presence of His Father, in order to fully consummate His Atonement, allowed me to feel that he was just beside me tugging and pulling from me the pains and so lead me back into a deep sleep. The discomforts seemed to abandon my senses and temporary relief came over me as to provide enough comfort until the morning breaks.

Indeed, through all those long years of afflictions and trials I have come to feel as always the Lord’s promise: “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18). His promise is ever sure and absolutely clear: “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:23,27). As sure as the sun rises in the morning, even in our deepest agony He will never leave us comfortless. He suffered that all of us might not suffer, and that through obedience, repentance and faith in Him we might find relief. He is ever willing to sustain us until our mortal probation is ended.

JELIENE ZAFFERA: HER NAME IS UNCOMMON BUT THE ORIGIN IS VERY POSITIVE

by: Norberto Betita

She is my fifth granddaughter---Jeliene Zaffera---born on February 17, 2010 in Surigao City. She is born of Kathleen Beth Sitoy Betita and Jesle Araneta Pedrosa. According  to names.whitepages.com  “very few people in the United States have this name---1 to be exact or 2 in every ten million” populations. Yet its origin is very positive. It is related to a very high level of creativity, imagination, self-expression and an ability to inspire others. Accordingly the abundance of creative energy combined with versatility and a good nature is likewise linked with the ability to communicate in all areas, making either writing or verbal communication easy. Such attributes are expected to lead one to become a poet, writer, actor, artist or musician. Its meaning is also associated with a very giving and generous soul who can find positivity everywhere around (see meaning.namespage.com).

As a young Mormon Helping Hands
Volunteer

This early in her life some of this attributes are already evident. Her verbal ability and creativity is showing up. Her very generous disposition is giving her mother budgetary dilemma. At church primary, she is a friend to all because she always has something to give; it doesn’t matter if nothing is left for her. During Christmas she didn’t want to give just a pair of biscuits for caroling children, but a pack for each. Hence, their budget for children carolers at Christmastime easily runs out, because more children are enthused to sing at their door for they are sure to have a pack of biscuits or a bar of chocolate each. Even her personal reserves are generously given. Some children according to her parents even extend their caroling beyond the Christmas season, until they have to tell them to stop.

While we were left together to watch over her younger sister at their rented apartment in Cebu City, perhaps realizing that I am a bit bored without anything to do while caring for them she was apt to offer and show movies which she said, “…would make me laugh.” She is not short of questions about anything. She always has something to ask and wanted to know until you become deficient of words to say. While at home she went into the room of her aunt Analiza and started some conversation which later prompted her aunt to come out and told us, “…this little girl is making my throat run out of saliva.” Her twelve year old cousin Keeshia also has the same observation.

With younger sister

Her name was also correlated to one’s interest to live life to the fullest with joy and imagination which sometimes result in living too much for the moment and forgetting about tomorrow. Of such appealing personality making friends will be easy. Understanding others emotions and putting them at ease is a natural thing. The name also denotes being an amazing communicator, bringing unique creative flair to everything one does. It professes one for the best work in artistic endeavors which express oneself be it in the field of writing, speaking, designing, illustrating, dancing or acting (see meaning.namespage.com).

Long before her birthday she had seen posts of beautiful cakes baked by her aunts Analiza and Lori Lynne. She wanted one for her birthday and therefore taking advantage of the scheduled vacation leave of her father they came all the way from Cebu City to make her wish come true that her Tita Analiza Garcia-Betita and Lori Lynne Betita-Preciosa will bake for her a frozen inspired birthday cake. And her wish was granted. The grandma was moved with great joy and love for the presence of all our eight grandchildren and their families and surprised her with a ‘litson’ (roasted pig) the size enough for the kind of Sitio Betita-Sitoy. There is no limit to the love that we as parents and grandparents could give to our children and grandchildren. Our family relationship is meant to be eternal and we have to live by the principle that will lead us to that end. And, the best binding tie that can hold us together is the unconditional love that we have for each other.

Family

I am profoundly grateful that my grandchildren have developed such kind of love towards each other as did their parents. Each was so excited of Jeliene Zaffera and Zaina Viveca’s coming to celebrate the formers birthday at home. There were no birthday gifts yet joy and love was felt ever in abundance. And their leaving home creates some moments of sadness to the cousins. Immediately upon arrival in Cebu City she called and invited us---grandparents to visit them soon and requested to bring with us her cousins.

Her name may be uncommon and not as popular as the rest, yet we are hopeful that in her growing up years she will be able to grasp the very positive meaning and origin which her name holds. This positivity if taken in its context will surely lead her life to a grand touchdown into the corridor of success. As grandparents that is our most ardent wish on this her fifth birthday and through all the coming years of her life. We love her very much as much as we love the rest of our grandchildren. While we may no longer be present as she reaches maturity, we are ever sincerely looking forward with faith for the attainment of such hopeful yearnings for her future triumphs in the continuing battles of life.

OUR VISIT TO THE TEMPLE: A CONTINUING QUEST FOR ETERNAL EXALTATION

by: Norberto Betita

On the way home after our last session

We seldom have the opportunity to visit the temple because of the distance and the financial requirements for the travel. However, in each of our visit to the temple we gained some tremendously significant and inspiring experiences that can only be attained in the House of the Lord. It brings us to a reminder of our covenants and promises and the blessings of eternal happiness and joy that follow sincere commitments to our eternal vows. As we entered the temple doors we are reminded of our continuing quest for eternal exaltation which we as sons and daughters of God are divinely directed to attain. It is part of the infinite plan and design of our God that we should receive temple ordinances for us to achieve eternal celestial glory. Nowhere can we find these qualifying saving ordinances than those performed only in the Lord’s house.

Last December 2014 a very generous friend and benefactor offered for us---husband and wife--- a free trip to the Cebu Philippines Temple as a Christmas gift. We tried to decline but her insistence prompts us to accept and acknowledge with gratitude her benevolence. She knew we have always tried to be worthy and she does not want our current temple recommend to expire without us having gone to the temple. Hence, immediately after the closing of the temple for scheduled maintenance, we left for Cebu City on January 27, 2015. We found that the temple exterior is still surrounded with scaffoldings while undergoing deep-cleaning, but its services were already opened. The tranquil and peaceful atmosphere of the temple interior was ever heavenly and remains worthy for the eternal saving ordinances that it provides. 

The Cebu Philippines Temple with scaffolds high for deep cleaning 

Beforehand, we have already decided to stay at the small rented apartment of our daughter and her family instead of the cheap and comfortable accommodation at the temple patron housing. We felt that there is greater joy in climbing the alpine location despite our weary aged knees to be with part of our posterity in their humble home. The uphill climb made me short of breath, but what joy I felt as my granddaughter Jeliene Zaffera ran to embrace us, followed by the first opportunity for me to cuddle and huddle my 8th grandchild Zaina Viveca. Our daily hugs with them relieved us of the hustles and the dangers of commuting by single motorcycles on the busy streets to the temple. We were made to realize how important the family is in our quest for eternal glory in the Celestial kingdom of God. Being sealed with our family in the temple linked us together forever.

The cheap and comfortable temple patron housing

We did not want each day to end without us attending a session. During our first day we attended an afternoon session where we were made as couple witness. While it is difficult for me to kneel yet I could not refuse the opportunity to humbly stoop at the holy altar of the Temple and be a witness to all for our common covenants. We did the same opportunity during the last four days of our visit. There was indeed a wonderful feeling that flows as we---husband and wife---together knelt at the holy altar.

During the second day of our visit, we scheduled one very important ordinance---sealing to parents. Each of our parents was already sealed to each other by proxy together with our dead siblings. Yet we the living have not been sealed to them. While inside the sacred chambers of God’s holy house we were reminded of the prophetic words of Malachi, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6). With the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, His gospel and the Holy Priesthood, Elijah also came and restored the sealing power that all who may be bound on earth shall be bound in heaven and for us to receive the greatest blessings that are found in the temples of God. For a time we have worked on the necessary temple ordinances for our ancestors by finding their names and connecting the link of our progenitors and our posterity. Since we could not easily afford a trip to the temple, we instead requested for the ordinances to be performed by others for them, while some were performed by our children. We are so happy to see that the needed ordinances for our dead forebears whose names we found have already been performed except for some which are reserved for us---the direct descendants---to personally do. We find it very joyful that at this time it became our opportunity to be sealed to them for time and all eternity.

Part of the temple grounds

As my wife Letty knelt on the holy altar of the sealing room in the presence of proxies of her parents and witnesses, and as the sealer pronounced the ordinance, I have to hold back a very powerful feeling of joy that almost brought my eyes to tears. Then as it was my time to be sealed to my parents, my wife acted as proxy for my mother. As we knelt together on the holy altar I have the same feeling of exquisite gladness that I forgot the consequent knee-pains of kneeling. When I stood between the mirrors of eternity in that holy room and looked at the never ending reflections, I could not help but think of the wonderful promises which God made to the faithful. The words of the Prophet Joseph Smith ring anew: “And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.” (Doctrine & Covenants 128:15).

Family picture after Sunday services
with heaven's dews falling

“…for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.” (Doctrine and Covenants 128:18). How grateful I am for being in number of those ‘babes and sucklings’ as to fully understand these eternal doctrines of salvation through the Holy Ghost---the revealer of truth.

There is still a lot to be done for the redemption of the rest of our dead ancestors and we are working on it that they too may partake of the blessings of salvation with their families and our families. As in the words of the apostle Paul: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:29). Therefore, we are bound by a compelling duty to search for our progenitors and perform saving ordinances for them in the House of the Lord.

Where heaven and the Philippines islands meet

President Thomas S. Monson declared, “In the temple, the precious plan of God is taught. It is in the temple that eternal covenants are made. All that occurs within the walls of the temple is uplifting and ennobling. (Thomas S. Monson, Blessings of the Temple). Indeed, in each of our visit to the temple we learned eternal truths and spiritual occurrences which reinforce and deepen our continuing quest for eternal exaltation. The costs may be high and sacrifices difficult but the attendant spiritual experiences are truly priceless.