THEY SHALL HAVE GLORY ADDED UPON THEIR HEADS

by: Norberto Betita

Premortality was their original home. They were present during the grand council in Heaven and they supported the Father’s great plan of eternal happiness. They were very close to each other then and they were happy to have been counted among the many noble and great ones. They have kept their first estate by their faitfulness and obedience to the Father and were added upon with an opportunity to come to earth to have a body of flesh and bones as the Father has. They made good plans for their coming journey and promised to see each other in mortality. However, their greatest dilemma was that they have to pass the veil of forgetfulness and will have to totally forget all their wonderful premortal friendship and association. Yet they trust each other and developed the needed faith that they will meet again on earth. Anna Andrea came to earth ahead and Mark followed after 1/1000 year in Kolob’s calendar. True to their faith to be able to keep their second estate, they were born in the same country although farther from each other away.

Anna Andrea wandered but soon sought for a brighter way. While she was in search for truth, Mark unexpectedly emerged as an ambassador of Jesus Christ. Their meeting was so short for in a week’s time Mark was transferred to another area. However, during those short encounters of just about one or two appointments, Mark realized that a spark of premortal memory flushed and he seemed to feel a reunion with a long lost friend. His heart and mind seemed to receive echoes from eternity that Anna Andrea was the spirit woman he once sit with in the grand council in heaven. O, how he wanted to immediately reinstate and restore that long lost association, but missionary obligations are yet to be complied. Such a short meeting was so special that immediately after his mission Mark privately sought and obtained the phone number of Anna Andrea. He called her and arranged for a meeting. For reasons unknown, she committed and after more than two years they meet again in a place nothing more holier---The Manila Philippines Temple.

Perhaps the holiness of the place made Anna Andrea realize and feel as did Mark during the first time he meets her that before her eyes was the spirit man she once was very much acquainted with in the premortal existence with whom she shared plans for a more intimate relationship in mortality. In her own words this is what she had to say: “So this is what it's like to meet that person my heart knew existed but had never actually met until we found each other.” Reinstatement of commitments then ensued and restoration of premortal relationship restored. Although hesitancy and diffidence due to professional variance seemed to inhibit Mark’s worldly persuasion, yet Anna Andrea assured it is no barrier. She claims anytime ready to receive the covenants that will “keep their second estate” that they together “shall have glory added upon their heads forever and ever” (see Abraham 3:22-26). For her that is more than everything which she now enjoys.

After enjoying each others company in moments of fond and affectionate dating for a few years, and continued brief visits together in one of the holiest places on earth, they finally decided on November 11, 2017 to end and elevate the beauty of a single life and vowed to bind their two hearts as one in an exchange of eternal commitment to love each other, symbolized by the beauty of sparkling engagement rings, the exchange of which was witnessed only by the angels from heaven on guard at the Holy Temple.

Today, February 10, 2018 is the grand and glorious day when such eternal commitment will turn into a covenant and most solemn promise together in the holy altar of matrimony in a beautiful sealing room of the Cebu Philippines Temple. With hands clasped before the Holy Priesthood they will enter into a covenant in a simple ceremony to love and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, for time and all eternity. Then they will be made to stand between the mirrors of eternity to see the the unending reflection of their union as a symbol of their eternal relationship.

The excitement of the preparatory engagement relationship will today be ended, replaced with an even exciting and grand and more glorious anticipations of the coming eternal trust which Heavenly Father may reward them by sending some of His spirit children into the newly established eternal family unit.

O, how the heavens rejoice today as Mark and Ann are sealed together by the Holy Priesthood in love and eternal marriage in the House of the Lord, the efficacy, strength and influence of which are real and immovable and eternally secure. The angels rejoice as they now prepare the glory that shall be added upon Mark and Ann forever and ever.

Our warmest congratulations to the newlyweds---Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Anna Andrea Solloso Mararac! 

MOTHER’S DAY: IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER NOW BEYOND THE VEIL

By: Norberto Betita

My mother FRANCISCA MANGLE GASTA BETITA married when she was sixteen years old. At such a young age she immediately started her role of motherhood. While her children were still young, she trained to be a dressmaker looking further to the future of raising a family. She also learned the trade of fish vending to assist her carpenter husband in providing the needs of the family. Her career preparations work well as she eventually experienced thirteen conceptions and raised and nurtured thirteen children---one twin, one still born and the youngest a child with special needs. Her motherhood and love was exemplary and her sacrifices so great as to allow us to live long to our maturity. She died at age 83, outliving four of her children.

She wakes up as early as 3:00 o’clock of dawn to meet the fishermen to buy their catch; left at about 4:00 o’clock in the morning to sell fishes at the market in Surigao, twelve kilometers away from our town. When she returned home in the afternoon, she sits on the sewing machine pew and starts sewing. That was her daily routine. She was a favorite dressmaker in town. 

She trained us to do daily household chores that at least we can assist in her combined motherhood and provider responsibilities. During our youthful years we used to have shared responsibilities at home and she taught us the virtue of hard work. We learned to plant and harvest rice although we didn't own a ricefield. We helped her in fish vending. As a boy I have good memories of being with her during her travels to sell fish in scheduled rural markets in distant municipalities. We usually carried with us a wooden box full of fishes which is very heavy. As we go home we buy fresh fruits and vegetables for resale at the Surigao market for profit. She takes whatever opportunity to earn more to be able to feed her thirteen growing children and support their other needs. She and my father made sure that we have food in our bowls, clothing on our backs and shelter over our heads, however meager their income may have been.

She is a very religious woman and very devoted to her faith. In the home she is the disciplinarian. I remembered once when she hit me with a piece of stick which broke and left a cut on my thigh because I refused to do a chore. For such I swore no longer to disobey her instructions. Her strict and firm disciplinary authority influenced us to do good and struggle through the ills of life. Indeed, her influece in our lives is beyond calculation.

One of the most memorable legacies that she left us was her very persuasive determination to educate all of us even in the midst of penury. She only finished fourth grade in elementary, which was good enough during their time. She is good in Arithmetic and English. She always encouraged us to study and do well in school. She reminded us that such is the only inheritance that they as parents could gave us which will remain with us individually for a lifetime. She seemed to know pretty well that education is the key that unlocks the bolted doors of future opportunities for us. She struggled so much together with our father to meet our educational obligations, but considering our number they often fall short. I remember well her unrestrained determination to help us finish college when on several occasions she would meet with the College President requesting to allow us to take the examinations through a promissory note. She told me of a story when the school issued a policy that no promissory note should be accepted. She had no money, but with courage undaunted, she went to the School President and requested that her promissory note be considered for the three of us siblings in college. Instead of signing the promissory note, the President gave her PHP50 to pay to the cashier for us to be allowed to take the examinations. She repaid the amount with best quality fishes. Most of us except the eldest and the youngest were able to complete high school education; some entered college but stopped in favor of job opportunities which were very rare during those times. Four of us completed college degrees. Such legacy was passed on and honored by our children—her grandchildren and great-grandchildren---most of whom were educated in college. 

Her unbounded faith and courage was tested best when I was born. I am the ninth child of thirteen. I was told in later years by my maternal grandmother, Tecla Mangle Gasta, that during the time when I was given birth my mother contacted a very serious illness and was brought to a hospital in Surigao for surgery. There was no bottle feeding at that time and so I have to share with a cousin who was born a year before for a breast feeding from my aunt. They thought she will not survive, but she did and continued to experience five more conceptions---one stillborn and four more to life.

I witnessed her angelic zeal and infinite love as she cares with complete dedication and fervor for our last born, who has a down syndrome despite her combined duty as mother and provider. Her commitment to her motherhood role was boundless. In her I saw an unlimited enthusiam and power to accomplish anything and everything for us and our future. She was the kind of a mother "who rock[s] a sobbing child without wondering if today's world is passing [her] by, because [she] knows [she] holds tomorrow tightly in her arms (Neal A. Maxwell)." Yet we, her children, did put limits to what we could have achieved in life, perhaps out of fear of the unknown and the empty knapsacks.

Not only did she mother thirteen of us, but she accepted another mothering responsibility when my elder sister died of cancer. Five young children were left for her to care for while their father worked abroad to provide for the family. When the father remarried, she was requested to continue to care for the children until they graduated from high school. She knew that such an extension of motherhood was to her a great challenge for she was already in her seniority, yet she accepted the responsibility and successfully led all her grandchildren to finish high school education as agreed. Her motherhood and grandmotherhood is a memorable reflection of God's loving presence in our family life.

She was born on March 9, 1921 and rested in peace on January 24, 2004. Despite her death defying conceptions and childbirths, an illness that almost cost her life, and the greatest challenges of raising and nurturing thirteen children and five grandchildren, she lived a most challenged yet a full happy life of 83 years.

On the night of June 3, 2005, I dreamed of her where she told me of her actual condition in the hereafter together with my father. The dream was repeated the same night. The following morning I requested my son Robert Sherwin and his wife Analiza to check on the records of my parents and requested them to perform the necessary ordinances for their eternal salvation. Immediately on June 4, 2005 all ordinances were performed and on June 24, 2005 their sealing ordinance as husband and wife was completed all at the Manila Philippines Temple. Two of their deceased children and myself were already sealed to them while the two other deceased are awaiting the ordinance to be performed by proxy. She never appeared in my dreams since then. She must have been so happy of what her grandson and granddaughter-in-law had done for them.

Throughout her life she had set the best example of being a wife, a mother, a great-grandmother, and a great-great-grandmother. In her I found the divine meaning and most sacred calling of motherhood. She exemplified the meaning of the statement that “Motherhood is near to divinity: It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to angels” (The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). We love her so very much. She will always be remembered with deepest gratitude by us and her posterity now and by those yet to come.

THE LAW OF TITHING AND ESTABLISHING A STAKE OF ZION IN SURIGAO CITY, PHILIPPINES

by: Norberto  Betita

Members and leaders preparing for community service

A branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints in Surigao City was established sometime in 1975 from a group with Dr. Henry F. Acebedo as the first Branch President. The Surigao Branch was under the Cebu Philippines District. When the Cagayan de Oro District was opened, I learned that its supervision was transferred. I was baptized on February 12, 1977 within which time Surigao branch was again under the Cebu Philippines District of the Church. I was conferred the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained to the offices of Deacon, Teacher and Priest at different times after I have proven myself obedient to the law of tithing. It was during a District Conference in Cebu City that I was conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained to the office of an Elder by Fred Cabanos Dimaya whose Priesthood office was Elder. 

Again Surigao Branch was returned to the Cagayan de Oro District for supervision when the Cagayan de Oro Mission was organized. When the Butuan Philippines District was established Surigao Branch automatically became part of it. During the creation of the Philippines Davao Mission, Butuan Philippines District became part of its boundary. In my term as Branch President, Surigao Branch was divided into Surigao 1st Branch and Surigao 2nd Branch. When the Butuan Philippines District became a stake on February 19, 1989, the two Surigao branches became wards with Enrique Y. Tandan and Doroteo F. Gilbero as the first bishops. About three years after, the two wards were dissolved and divided into four branches and with one existing branch at Placer, Surigao del Norte, the Surigao Philippines District was created. Not long after, Surigao Philippines District was again divided into two districts---the Surigao Philippines and Placer Philippines Districts. For about 20 years since, the Surigao Philippines District remained a district with six growing branches. Membership has reached more than 2,400 with Melchizedek Priesthood holder numbering 155. With such number the district should have already qualified to become a Stake of Zion except for one qualifying requirement---tithing faithfulness. 

Relief Society anniversary celebration

Why we need to become a stake of Zion?

In this troubled world we need to have a gathering place “upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes…for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth” (D & C 115:6). The ills of this world which do not only concern about the economic and other calamities, but also include the massive secularism, roll up as a result of man’s disobedience to God’s commandments. And, the only sure antidote to all these troubles will be for us to obey all that God commands and become “Zion---THE PURE IN HEART” (D&C 97:21). We need to be one with each other and love one another, and be united with God if we are to be a Zion people sheltered in a duly established stake of Zion.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “without Zion, and a place of deliverance, we must fall; because the time is near when the sun will be darkened, and the moon turn to blood, and the stars fall from heaven, and the earth reel to and fro. Then, if this is the case, and if we are not sanctified and gathered to the places God has appointed, with all our former professions and our great love for the Bible, we must fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved; for God will gather out His Saints from the Gentiles, and then comes desolation and destruction, and none can escape except the pure in heart who are gathered.

“We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. When wars come, we shall have to flee to Zion. The cry is to make haste. The last revelation says, Ye shall not have time to have gone over the earth, until these things come. …

“… The time is soon coming when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes” (D & C Student manual Enrichment B, Establishing Zion, 2002).

Therefore, it is imperative upon us as a people in an organized district of the Church to labor together in righteousness and in obedience to the commandments of God to build a stake of Zion in our own place. We have to do it in haste that we may not be caught unaware when the desolation of the Lord shall come. 

Why we need to obey the law of tithing?

On two occasions during my visits in the branches, I was asked, “We are very poor people, while God has everything. Why should we have to be required to obey the law of tithing and give the tenth part of our meagre income? My answers were the same: “God does not need our money. We need His blessings, whether it be economic or whatnot.”

A family paying their tithing

It is sometimes astonishing that many of us have to make different excuses and refuse to obey the law of tithing. Perhaps it is well to understand better why in the introductory verse to the law, God started with penetrating questions: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Then He sternly reminded us, “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation” (Malachi 3:8-9). We might ask, “Why did God charges us of robbing Him when all that we earned are products of our hard labors?” I have thought of the same question when I was yet a new member of the church. I found these verses as a fitting answer from God: “I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth,” He said, “… and all things therein are mine. And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low. For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves” (D&C 104:14–17). Indeed, everything is His---the air we breathe, the waters we drink, the food we eat, the very physical body which we used to labor and earn---they are all part of His grand creation. We have nothing to boast.

We are so lucky that as His agents or stewards we are only required to give a tenth part of our increase. What is even most surprising is that by our obedience He promised to pour out even more. He said: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse… and prove me now herewith…if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field… And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:10-12). What a promise indeed, not only for the individual believers but for the land in which they live.

Our obedience or disobedience to the law of tithing affects our blessings in this life and in the life to come. We need to obey the law as a measure of our willingness to build the Zion that we want to establish in our place as a shelter and a refuge from the storms of life. President Joseph F. Smith testified: “By this principle (tithing) the loyalty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test. By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it. By this principle it shall be seen whose hearts are set on doing the will of God and keeping His commandments, thereby sanctifying the land of Zion unto God, and who are opposed to this principle and have cut themselves off from the blessings of Zion. There is a great deal of importance connected with this principle, for by it shall be known whether we are faithful or unfaithful.” (Gospel Doctrine, p. 225.)

National day of service

We may have somehow failed to obey the principle of tithing as to cut ourselves off from the blessings of Zion for so long a time. It is high time therefore to be more obedient to the law of tithing that the required sanctification of our district to become a stake of Zion unto God may soon be realized. It is only by our obedience to this law and doing the will of God that we can prove faithful for the blessing of Zion in our midst.

Rising above the challenge for our district to become a stake of Zion.

During those almost twenty years since the Surigao Philippines District was established, another district---the Placer Philippines District was created from it. Since Placer was separated from Surigao it has grown with membership already exceeding that of the mother unit and is now also preparing to establish a stake of Zion. Although this is not a contest, but I felt that Surigao, being the mother unit, should be the first to rise above the challenge of becoming a stake of Zion. With everybody working together and with inspiration from God, we cannot fail.

We need not have to suggest what our leaders should do. The Lord, whose church this is will reveal what would be necessary for the growth of the district to His anointed servants who hold the keys to preside. They have made their own inspired plans and goals for our district to move forward and receive the glory of Zion. However, their efforts may be in vain without members’ support.

Therefore, this will be a reminder for us to make our own individual resolves, how we might be contributors to the cause of Zion. We need to be reminded that the Lord is just waiting for us to prove that we are worthy to receive the needed blessings by obedience to His commandments. In this regard He is waiting for us to obey His economic law---the law of tithing---that He may pour out His temporal blessings individually and collectively upon us. He promised that He will open the windows of heaven to pour out His immeasurable blessings and make of our place a delightsome land. Such blessings may provide greater economic progress to our city and province and open many doors of opportunities for our people. Better still “the blessing that comes to us through heavenly windows may be greater capacity to act and change our own circumstances rather than expecting our circumstances to be changed by someone or something else” (Elder David A. Bednar, The Windows of Heaven, October 2013 General Conference). Besides, we will be blessed spiritually through the ordinances of the Holy Priesthood and become partakers of an inheritance in the celestial glory of God.

Elder Melvin J. Ballard gave this counsel: “Do we not hope and expect to have an inheritance in the celestial kingdom, even upon this earth in its redeemed and sanctified state? [D&C 88:25–26; 130:9.] What are the terms under which we may obtain that inheritance? The law of tithing is the law of inheritance. It leads to it. No man may hope or expect to have an inheritance on this celestial globe who has failed to pay his tithing. By the payment of his honest tithing he is establishing a right and a title to this inheritance, and he cannot secure it upon any other terms but by complying with this and other just requirements; and this is one of the very essential things” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1929, p. 51, quoted in Section 119, the law of tithing, D & C Student manual).

The law of tithing is a preparatory law or a lesser law so to speak. It was instituted as a temporary replacement of a higher law---the law of consecration. This lesser law is to prepare us to obey the law of consecration when it is to be practiced back in its fullness according to the Lord’s own timing. It is to help us develop humility and a willing desire to accept and acknowledge God’s sovereignty as against the philosophies of the world. It helps us to develop the character of one who is pure in heart and so live together in righteousness with one heart and one mind---the Zion of the Lord. 

Young single adults activity

President Joseph Fielding Smith explained: “Then again, we have those among us who are hoping for the coming of the law of consecration thinking that in that day they are going to profit by the equalizing of the wealth of other members of the Church. It is definitely true, however, that all those who will not obey the law of tithing, will not be entitled to enter into the covenants of consecration, but when the day comes for the establishing of Zion and the redemption of the earth, such people will find themselves removed” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:92, quoted in Section 119, the law of tithing, D & C Student manual).

We can choose to be tight-fisted with the Lord as regards our obedience to the law of tithing and accordingly allow God to hold back His blessings. Or we can choose to be more honest in our payment of tithing and consequently be blessed abundantly. As I see it our collective sincere obedience to the law of tithing is our best and last hope at this time for the Surigao Philippines District to become a stake of Zion. As we become more obedient to the law of tithing all other commandments and principles and doctrines of the kingdom will turn out easier to obey and follow. All other requirements then will end up simpler to comply. As in the words of Elder David A. Bednar, “Spiritual Illumination and perspective are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing” (Elder David A. Bednar, The Windows of Heaven, October 2013 General Conference). We sure can rise above the challenge for the Surigao Philippines District to become a stake of Zion. The choice is ours.