“CAREST THOU NOT THAT YOU PERISH?”

 by: Norberto Betita

Just the other week three of my known friends died, but not of COVID-19. Of course such loss of life did not in any way surprise the medical community and the local government. It is not their present concern. But with increasing recent deaths attributed to COVID-19 emerging, everybody moves as though there is a flying serpent around to devour every man, woman and children, and the whole populace are in fear and horror. Yet it is just a natural reaction and response associated with trepidation and panic in our encounters with life’s raging storms.   

We are no different from those fishermen who were with Jesus when a great storm came, with winds and waves beating the ship and filling it with water. Because of so much fear they awaken the Lord questioning, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Despite His sound sleep, “He arose and rebuked the wind,”---so we are told---and perhaps waving His hands, “he said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” But He did not let the day pass without reminding the fishermen of a very important principle which until now is still very relevant for all of us---FAITH. “And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (See Mark 4:37-40).

During this era of terrible catastrophic quickening, particularly with this present worldwide pandemic labelled as COVID-19, now raging in our small community of Surigao City, we show as did the fishermen the same faithless response. This reminds me of the words of Roger Babson as quoted by Mark E. Petersen which says, “Every great panic we have ever had has been foreshadowed by a general decline in observance of religious principles.”

As we are now threatened continually by this dreaded disease and other accelerating disasters long since prophesied as signs of the Lord’s Second Coming, I sensed and felt that it is no longer the people who called upon the Lord “carest thou not that WE perish,” but it is now He himself who is awakening us from our deepest skeptical slumber and asking, “carest thou not that YOU perish?” The fishermen, of course, were asking the Lord whether He cares of them dying physically. While the Lord was concerned about each of us perishing spiritually. Very lovingly and tenderly though He is both positively responsive to our dilemma.

He said:  “O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!

“How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not!

“Behold, the day has come, when the cup of the wrath of mine indignation is full.

“Behold, verily I say unto you, that these are the words of the Lord your God“ (Doctrine & Covenants 43:24-27).

Indeed, many of us do not listen to Him. We do not care about His atoning sacrifice and redeeming love and mercy to save us from our sins and spiritual death, “by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel” (Articles of Faith 3). We fail to recognize Him as the Master Healer and as our only advocate to the Father. We fail to acknowledge and listen to the voices of His appointed servants on earth. We fall short of time to commune with Him each day. We failed to open our ears to hear His personal revelation for us, uttered through the still small voice of the Holy Ghost.

Our family was blessed last Sunday, September 27, 2020, to have been taught by our granddaughter Keeshia a simple message about listening to the voice of the Lord through the Holy Ghost. She told a story of a boy who found the treasured watch of a farmer. He did nothing but just sit in silence and listen to the ticking of the watch and followed the sound.

In a calm and peaceful atmosphere or personal mood, we can be assured that our minds and hearts are best ready to receive the influence of the Holy Ghost and take us away from the unnecessary brainwaves and notions that stimulates feelings of distress, horror and panic, and thus lead us to better and more satisfying resolves. With personal peace and serenity come the hushed whisper of the still small voice that provides comfort and assurance of a better and peaceful day.  

Instead, however, we entertain more of the noise and conflicting voices of the world and disregard the Lord’s call to repentance and His sincere invitation to come and follow Him. Therefore, He declared with boldness: “Behold, the day has come, when the cup of the wrath of mine indignation is full” (Doctrine & Covenants 43:26). And thus “cometh wrath and indignation upon the people” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:88).

As the Lord’s Second Coming nears, we will be hearing Him discoursing His own sermons, yet no longer by the way He speaks His Beatitudes to his disciples in His sermon on the mount, but by “the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.

“And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.”

Our fearful, faithless and alarming approach to fight the COVID-19 reflects in striking detail what the Lord says in the following verse, “And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.” (see Doctrine & Covenants 88:89-91).

We remain to be no better than the apostle Peter, who after having been privileged by the Lord to walk on the sea, surrendered his faith to fear as “he saw the wind boisterous,” which prompted the Lord to tell him, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (See Matthew 14:26-31).

We are in a time of the ongoing restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in its fullness and it is expected that the signs of the Lord second coming will be poured out with accelerating pace to warn us and help us prepare for an impending total destruction.

Joseph Smith, the prophet of the restoration declared, "I prophesy, in the name of the Lord god of Israel, anguish and wrath and tribulation and the withdrawing of the Spirit of God from the earth awaits this generation, until they are visited with utter desolation". (Teaching of the prophet Joseph Smith, p. 328).

With this plague of a dreaded disease now displaying its intensifying wrath in our City of Surigao we need to be sober and temperate and not panic. We should collectively unite with strict obedience to the required protocols and restrictions that we may “HEAL AS ONE.” Let Us set aside all skepticism, agnosticism and individualism. Personally let us not count the dead and dying, it incites dread and terror. Let the assigned agencies do it. Instead let us individually look at the very high percentage of survival we each have in statistical comparisons, which can give us added hope.

If we could not flatten the curve, then let us flatten our fears and put our trust and flatly rest our faith on the one who stopped the roaring sea by such simple command, “Peace, be still”, the one who cleansed the lepers, who made the blind to see, who made the lame to walk, who raised Lazarus back to life, the Master Healer, even the Lord Jesus Christ. Who by now is waking and calling us, “carest thou not that you perish,” through this threatening pandemic. Our collective daily sincere prayers and petitions to Heavenly Father, in His name, will surely make a difference. May well our mutual communion with the Almighty find an altar in God’s highest throne of grace!   

MY PERSONAL EULOGY: A SELF-SERVING TRIBUTE AND EPILOGUE

by: Norberto Betita

As the sun sets and hides its glory into the darkest night the day before to end a chapter of my life’s story, a new dawn sneaked imperceptibly; its silence broken every few seconds by the crowing cocks across the road, towards the morning break for a new episode. Then I felt a tender loving embrace from the weary hands of my eternal partner---my ever dearest Letty---as she expressed in a tone so mild and sweet that steal the hush of the breaking dawn, “I love you. Happy birthday.” The affectionate embrace may not have been as tight as it was before, with shoulders now frozen by age, but the warmth of love remains ever flaming from the bottom of the heart.

No matter my optimism and faith for a potent future, I found the present crisis to be a warning to the aged minority, who are most vulnerable to the virus, to prepare. The debate on the worldwide pandemic is far from over. Scientists and medical professionals; politics from right and left; mainstream media and social media; journalists and bloggers; conspiracy theorists and facts checkers; and even intelligence organization throughout the world write and broadcast loud conflicting voices and confusing undertones, and contending views for such a long time, even before this pandemic strikes. Yet, there still seems to be no clear and solid ground to stand on. They are only sensationalizing, politicizing and commercializing the issue.

Since the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic until the emergence and evolution of viral varieties in the late 1960’s and on to this day of a dreaded plague, they labelled as new coronavirus---COVID-19, the only truth I found that really make sense is that, as in the popular song of Michael Jackson, “there are people dying” not only through direct exposure and infection to the dreaded diseases, but also by the underlying difficult circumstances that arise as a result of the effects of every surge of a pandemic. Then to paraphrase the words from the same song, we might ask, “…[did we] care enough for the living?” (Heal the World by Michael Jackson).

In the depths of some of my soundest slumber each night during my five months of isolation, my sub-conscious mind, generate some feelings of contemplation whether the dawn will still provide the creeping light of day. But as always the dawning of each new day comes with luster and gleam. However, I know that one day, perhaps in a time shorter than the spell and season I lived in mortality, the promise of a beautiful genesis of a breaking day may no longer come.

Anytime, sooner or later, I will come to a point when I will be called upon to pack my bag with spiritual essentials and be ready, because tomorrow is no longer guaranteed. Therefore, I need to make sure that I am ready to cross the boundary of no return. The promise of the next life is either magnificently glorious or degradingly miserable in consequence of my personal choices while in this mortal probation. The works I do in this life will either usher me into a state of rest in the paradise of God or into the spirit prison, a despicable place between death and resurrection.

In some meditative reflections, especially with this threatening worldwide pandemic, which is now incorporated in my personal history, and upon which there is no guaranteed safety from this highly contagious and dreaded disease, afflicting millions and killing tens of thousands, I am most inspired to write my personal eulogy, for if it will be my time to slip into the other side of the veil, I might not even have the privilege of a decent burial as it happened to many who died from the deadly plague.

This personal eulogy may appear to be a self-serving tribute, but I am writing this as part of the epilogue of my personal history and journal.

In my introspective evaluation of the life I live in this probationary state of earthly existence in direct correlation to the spiritual requirements to qualify for eternal life, I found myself still short of worthiness according to my own personal judgment. Yet, I have been trying my very best to qualify for the redeeming love, grace and mercy which the Lord Jesus Christ offered His sinless life as a ransom for my sins.

Through the years, I have tried to be the kind of disciple that the Lord requires of me. I tried to be as faithful in obedience to God’s commandments. I keep myself qualified to receive all the necessary ordinances of salvation and have entered into sacred covenants with Him in the holy Temple, trying my best to honor such covenants. I lived my life in harmony with the two great commandments to love God and neighbor so as not to offend anybody whether they be friends or foes. I tried to minister to those in need even in my own deprivation. I served in righteousness and in truth and with dignity and honor in the church. I realized though that notwithstanding all my honest efforts and righteous preferences, I am still prune to the assaults of the evil one causing me to sin and be subjected to being racked and tormented as a consequence. Yet as always I found relief from the gift of repentance which the Lord offers for every sinner, towards perfection. I know that perfection is not in this life, but I am trying to move forward with greater faith, courage and hope that when this life is over, there is a better life waiting for me in the hereafter.

In my marital commitments, I have been loyal and honest in living the covenants I and my dearest Letty have entered into with Heavenly Father for us to live together not only in this life, but throughout all eternity. I have honored such covenant with total fidelity and affectionate devotion. The love and fondness that I hold dear deep in the chamber of my heart for my dearest Letty, even deepens my piety for her each and every day. She’s always been the best thing that ever happened to me. Through those long divinely bonded loving marital and parental partnership, she has always been an angel of devotion to spousal and motherly care. She becomes even more adorable and lovely to me as we now walk slowly on the lonely lane reserved for the weary and feeble, with the pains and sufferings of lingering illnesses ever sticking around. One day soon we will part ways, but I had always wished that I will not live in this life without her by my side.

I have tried to live a family centered, gospel oriented life, raising and rearing my children into becoming responsible adults. In partnership with my dearest Letty, we tried to teach them to be good citizens and to serve willingly and with real intent and actively participate in the affairs of the church and not stand as idle spectators. They also have their own imperfections, but we live together in love, unity, harmony and peace notwithstanding their inadequacies and failings. In the course of their individual eternal journey, they have the privilege of exercising their agency to choose for themselves right from wrong, good over evil. When the door of death will be opened for me to enter, they already know that I will be waiting for them in that grand and most glorious reunion with them in the hereafter, never to part again.

I am profoundly grateful to have the opportunity to see a few of my grandchildren and to have lived with them in the depths of my love and care. I have tried my very best to be the best grandfather that I could be to them. I always have the best feeling that my life will remain a beacon of light for them along the covenant path that they will have to walk through in their mortal journey. I am looking forward with the same faith and hope for my yet unborn posterity to live by the same pattern of family life that we tried to establish as a common spiritual ancestral tradition. When this frail existence will in due time be taken from me, I know they will miss the wonderful bond of love and devotion that we have for each other while yet in this life.

The love I have for my siblings remain ever strong as to encompass in me a desire for them to be a part of the eternal family unit and kingdom which I and our ancestors are now working on both sides of the veil. We are united in love and respect for each other in this life, although we are divided in our belief and faith. As I am now preparing to meet our ancestors on the other side of the veil, I have an overpowering hope that they will soon find the covenant path and the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in its fullness, and work their way to receive the necessary ordinances for their families to be together forever, linked and connected to our dearly beloved ancestry.

To my friends I bear with solemn conviction and spiritual witness that life has an infinitely fantastic and eternally originated purpose. This life is a test, a probationary state. This is the time to prove our faith whether we still will abide by the same conviction of support to the Lord Jesus Christ of Heavenly Father’s approved great plan of happiness for us while we were yet in the premortal existence. “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32). We are gifted with the moral agency to choose which side we should be. The choice is between good or evil; between right and wrong. Surely, living a life in righteousness will be blessed with joy and gladness, while living in wickedness will have its own painful consequences. “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). While you might have believed of the doctrine of ‘original sin’ inherited from our first parents, Adam and Eve, however, I testify and, “…believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression” (Articles of Faith 2). The prophet Ezekiel even made it clear when he declares, “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” (Ezekiel 18:20). I know of the living reality of Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, the Holy Ghost testifying to me of all these truths. You can also know the same truths through the witness of the Holy Ghost. When this life is over, we will meet again, then you will know that what I said to you are true.

As the troubling times continue to haunt my remaining life in mortality, I still stand willing to accept the refiner’s fire to help me be sanctified as I prepare to cross the boundary line between this life and the hereafter. I consign my remaining time to live with deep gratitude to Heavenly Father for His blessings with faith and assurance of His promised glorious day. I know He loves me even in the darkest moments of my life. The light that continually radiates and illuminates my soul helped me have the strength to endure my immense battle with afflictions. However, all these trials and adversities that I have gone through and will still have to go through until this life is over will be worth it.

I believe in the couplet which Lorenzo Snow shared: “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be.” In relation of which he explained: “Through a continual course of progression, our Heavenly Father has received exaltation and glory, and He points us out the same path; and inasmuch as He is clothed with power, authority, and glory, He says, ‘Walk ye up and come in possession of the same glory and happiness that I possess.’

“In the gospel, those things have been made manifest unto us; and we are perfectly assured that, inasmuch as we are faithful, we shall eventually come in possession of everything that the mind of man can conceive of—everything that heart can desire” (Lorenzo Snow, The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, 3–4).

The apostle Peter explained, “…God is no respecter of persons: But…he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).

The Psalmist wrote: “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” (Psalms 82:6). In reply to the accusations of the Jews of Him claiming as a Son of God, quoting the same words from the Old Testament, “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” (John 10:33-34).

With such a clear eternal potential and destiny, therefore, I joined with the great King David, who, after having seriously committed a grievous sin, with a broken heart and contrite spirit and with a very repentant soul, most sincerely petitioned God:

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

“Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
“For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
“Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:1-3;9-12).

As I cross another meaningful lap of my earthly journey, I wish to enrich the spiritual lives of others by my undying testimony of the truths that are in the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and service to His church and the sons and daughters of Heavenly Father. Up and far into Heavenly Father’s infinite throne of grace, “the glory of the Celestial, which excels in all things…, Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever” (D & C 76:92-93), I raise my petition as did the psalmist, “Cast me not off in the time of old age;…Forsake me not when my strength faileth.” (Ps. 71:9.)

With this personal eulogy as a self-serving tribute and epilogue for my personal journal, I borrow the words of Paul as he says: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6-7).

As I conclude this volume of my personal journal for a legacy of my children and my children’s children and on to my yet unborn posterity, and as “I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4), I wanted to echo these very inspiring words from the theme of “Fiddler on the Roof,” which relates to my thoughts of them:

Sunrise, Sunset
Is this the little girl I carried,
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older,
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty,
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?
Sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly flow the days.
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers,
Blossoming even as we gaze.
Sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly fly the years,
One season following another,
Laiden with happiness and tears.
What words of wisdom can I give them,
How can I help to ease their way?
Now they must learn from one another
Day by day
(Fiddler on the Roof, John Williams)

I celebrate my birthday today, August 25, 2020, while my only grandson who bears my family name---Rulon Asher Garcia Betita---will be admitted to the Surigao Doctors’ Hospital for a major surgery. My best and only birthday wish and most humble petition is for the the Almighty Hand of God and power from heaven to distill and help him overcome the early trials and challenges of his life towards a healthier and more progressive future. May Heavenly Father grant!

CROSSING THE FRONTIERS OF MIDDLE AGE

by: Norberto Betita

While in elementary, his reading of the children’s detective novel series The Hardy Boys, revealed his earlier deep interest in education. I thought that such detective stories will lead him to the military. However, during high school his interest changed to art and he ended up being interested in fine arts. During one of our father-son conversation, I discouraged him from taking fine arts as it would confine his life inside a painting shop and instead suggested that he takes architecture. Yet I leave it up for him to decide. He eventually qualified for a Bachelor of Science in Architecture course at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

However, more than his many talents, what I am seriously following about since his youthful years was his character. I believe that our character is the window of the goodly virtues and attributes that are hidden beneath the soul. And it is more important than all other attainments. In high school he was admired by his teachers for not being tempted in joining the common vices of students---smoking and drinking liquor. He had never broken curfew rules in the family. When he joined UP Diliman and stayed in the dormitory, he was recruited to join a fraternity, but his affluent classmate and dorm mate told the recruiters, “He is too good to be a part of us.” During one of their high school reunion while yet in college, I felt disconcerted and unsettled, when for the first time, although we allowed him to be out beyond family curfew, he went beyond the limits. Knowing most of his classmates, I was kind of exasperated and suspecting that he must have finally gave in and submit to the lure of his peers. Sleep did not visit my weary eyes until he was finally home at past 3:00 o’clock in the morning, sober and firm in his conviction to stand by his standards.

Such earlier character formations continued to flourish as he finally served a full time mission in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Immediately following his missionary service interview, our Mission President told me that “His Mission President in the field will be very lucky to have him.” After his mission he relinquished his UP Scholarship in favor of her sisters. He married at an early age and deferred college. He was called and volunteered to serve as Branch President. He finished college 13 years after high school graduation. But during that stretch of time, he had never been without employment no matter how meager the income while at the same time finishing his college degree in an exemplary arrangement with his very supportive wife.

His diligence and perseverance had already provided for him computer programming knowledge even before he took his information technology course. He graduated and was immediately employed in a mining company. The first challenge to his character was when his boss told him in a dinner that if he will not drink beer, he will be fired. He said, there is no need to fire him. He will submit a resignation letter immediately the following day. Good that his boss took it only as a joke.

His honesty and integrity gained for him the respect of people around him. He should have reached the heights of his career, when suddenly the company temporarily closed and his supervisory position terminated. There had been several offers for him to be assigned in Manila, twice his salary, but he never dared. He instead opted to apply for the humble position of a clerk in a government agency. He consigned his fate to God after he was again called to a higher voluntary calling to serve and preside over seven units of the church, as District President. His talents and leadership is needed by no less than his Heavenly Father.

He will now be crossing the frontiers of middle age carrying in his temporal backpack his humble employment and his voluntary service in God’s Kingdom. Middle age is the time when temporal successes are supposed to be at hand. It is generally the time when one should rise above the boundaries of despondency and deprivation. It would be the best time when one should have the luxury of having to do things as he pleases and enjoy a fortune of having more than enough reserve in the family treasury. It is likewise the time when the spotlight of life is focused on one’s attainments. Yet he chose to avoid the earlier enticements for the vanities of the world and rather be satisfied, for the moment, with something enough and to spare. To him middle age is the best time to increase his knowledge of more important priorities where happiness and joy for himself and his family are made attainable. Still he believes with greater faith the admonition of the Lord: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33). “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

 

The middle age range from 40 to 60 years old is still long. Should God would release him from his present voluntary calling, he still can catch up with time with unflagging determination to bring added success in his temporal life. What is important as of now is the assurance that his family is under divine protection and spiritual safety. He knows and understands that we are now in the end times or the days of tribulations. This is now the seventh thousand year of the earth’s temporal history---the seventh seal---as spoken by John the beloved (see Revelation 8:1). We are now in “perilous times” (see 2 Timothy 3:1-7); when “nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places.” (see Matthew 24:3-7). This “war of the great day of God the Almighty” as revealed to apostle John or “the day of the Lord (Jehovah)” as spoken by prophet Isaiah or “the day of God” as recorded by the apostle Peter, (see Revelation 16:14, 16; Isaiah 13:9; 2 Peter 3:12), will surely come as prophecies continue to be fulfilled.

During his last virtual training with the priesthood he reminded us of the impending destruction that is to come, and quoted from Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:86-91. “Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.

“For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig tree.

“And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.

“For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.

“And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.

“And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.”

In the light of the perilous prophesied events, he reminded the priesthood holders of one more important priority:

“Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.

“For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.

“Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today.” (D & C 64:23-25).

To our only son---Robert Sherwin---as you are now blessed to cross the frontiers of middle age, we hope you will carry with you in memory and treasure in your mind these marvelous words of Max Ehrmann in his “Desiderata”. As I pondered the words and phrases, they point to the kind of person you are. It is about you. We are sure that this will inspire you as you slowly walk the most compelling and challenging lane of middle age.

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

“Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

“Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

“Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

“Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

“Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

“Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

“Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

“And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.” (Original text by Max Ehrmann, 1927).

We add our best wishes on this your 40^th birthday celebration that you will continue to find new doors of opportunities for spiritual growth and temporal development during the 20-year range of time that you are to cross towards old age. May Heavenly Father recompense, as He always does, all your sacrifices in service to Him and His spirit children. May you continue to honor the covenants of the priesthood and be grateful of the trust and confidence which the Lord has given you to act in His name. May your family be foremost and preeminent in all your plans and aspirations in life. We trust that Heavenly Father is mindful of you and your family and He will not forsake you. His hands are extended still. We know you have already attained the heights of your personal discipline and we hope and pray that you will continue to do so as you perform your high and holy calling in the church and as you establish love and friendship and camaraderie with other people in your associations. We love you very, very, very much! Papa, Mama and family

MY PERSONAL HINGE POINT

By: Norberto Betita 

While I am filled with gratitude for having been able to reach the Bicentennial year of the Restoration of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, this is also the first time that I experienced a worldwide pandemic crisis in my whole life. These events in Church history and the world allows me to feel a combination of spiritual, emotional and physical experience of joy, fear and uncertainty. Although I am seriously preparing spiritually, my fears are more on personal concern for my children, grandchildren and posterity yet unborn, who may still experience even the most serious and dreadful blights and scourge as the battle between good and evil continues to rage upon the earth. For them the future is still a long way. However, I know that they are prepared and are preparing for the days ahead and the challenges of the future.

As President Russel M. Nelson declared this time as “a hinge point in the history of the Church, and [my] part is vital,” I felt honored to have a role in this on-going restoration of the Lord’s gospel, which the prophet also described is “going to be exciting.” I felt real joy in my heart to be able to take part, however small, in this grand and glorious work, declared by the Prophet Joseph Smith and his counselors in September 1840, thus:

“The work of the Lord in these last days, is one of vast magnitude and almost beyond the comprehension of mortals. Its glories are past description, and its grandeur unsurpassable. It is the theme which has animated the bosom of prophets and righteous men from the creation of the world down through every succeeding generation to the present time; and it is truly the dispensation of the fullness of times, when all things which are in Christ Jesus, whether in heaven or on the earth, shall be gathered together in Him, and when all things shall be restored, as spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began; for in it will take place the glorious fulfilment of the promises made to the fathers, while the manifestations of the power of the Most High will be great, glorious, and sublime.”

“We feel disposed to go forward and unite our energies for the upbuilding of the Kingdom, and establishing the Priesthood in their fullness and glory. The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophet [Daniel] [see Daniel 2:34–35, 44–45]; and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints, to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 512–13, quoted by President Henry B. Eyring in April 2020 General Conference).

I felt it my personal hinge point to do even more effectively and seriously the call to magnify my calling and to help in the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil. It is time for me to make use of my remaining time in mortality with better vision and more optimistic spiritual perspective. As I face the challenges of the present crisis, it is best for me to look forward with greater faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel to replace those fears and uncertainties and turn them into stepping stones to a more hopeful and progressive tomorrow for my family. I will continue to hear Him and contribute my remaining ‘energy, skill, talent, and ability’ as called, for the cause of God’s kingdom.

My age and physical condition may limit my personal capacity to be in the field, but I felt I still can do something more to help in this marvelous work of saving souls. If given the chance for a longer extension of my mortal life, even as this new challenge remains a disturbance, I still can share my knowledge of the gospel and the truth of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in the fullness of times through other means. I will have my remaining life worn-out and consecrated in the building of His kingdom until this life is for me taken and a new life and place emerge, which I am sure is a much better life and place for all those who live in righteousness and in truth.

This marvelous time of celebrating the 200th year of the First Vision---the appearance of the Father and Jesus Christ to the prophet Joseph Smith---and the magnitude of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic seems to echo the experience of the boy Joseph as he wrestle with an unseen power while trying to pray to the Father. This time the unseen enemy---COVID-19---tried to thwart the grand celebration of the First Vision, but instead the General Conference which President Nelson had since described as a different one, became even more widely viewed and respected by the world. The continued humanitarian efforts to help those people and nations who were affected by the spreading plague, had even magnified the image of the restored church of Jesus Christ. I felt that such was a manifestation of the power of God and His divine promise that, “No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.” (Joseph Smith, Jr.). Long before the pandemic strikes, the Lord has already put in place the elements and discoveries of technologies that are most needed to make the General Conference, honoring the 200th year of the First Vision, even more successful in spreading the truth to all the world.

The simultaneous coming of these two conflicting events in the history of the church and of the world, remind me of the battle between good and evil which started even before the world was. This brings to mind the undeniable fact that the battle has continued even at this time until the world will again be renewed into its paradisiacal glory. The unseen enemy is launching every attack to dismantle faith and create fear and uncertainty on God’s children. But this battle is going to be won and the church and “the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”(Ibid).

President Hugh B. Brown spoke of this reassuring and comforting words: “I want to say to you, brethren, that in the midst of all the troubles, the uncertainties, the tumult and chaos through which the world is passing, almost unnoticed by the majority of the people of the world, there has been set up a kingdom, a kingdom over which God the Father presides, and Jesus the Christ is the King. That kingdom is rolling forward, as I say, partly unnoticed, but it is rolling forward with a power and a force that will stop the enemy in its tracks while some of you live.” (“The Kingdom Is Rolling Forth,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1967, p. 93.)

I am personally grateful to have this point of life in my journey to eternity and to have been able to experience a very memorable event in the history of the restoration and the sad experience of being subjected to the threatening infections of a very contagious disease---COVID-19---which has taken many lives and affected millions of people both physically and economically. I can bear witness to my posterity yet unborn that the signs of times as spoken by the mouths of the prophets, including the desolating sickness and scourge, have come and are coming to pass.

My grandchildren are still very young and they might forget all that happened in their maturity. For this, I wanted to write my thoughts about these calamities that they may someday be reminded of what did happen.

Darkness seemed to envelope the world both politically, socially and economically. But I sensed that through the continuing threats of the pandemic, the spiritual capacity of the world and its people have increased, instead. This helps me to understand that the Lord is in control. The light of Christ is enfolding the darkness that the Covid-19 pandemic emits. In due time of the Lord, this will pass, although I recognize that this as well as other pandemics will relapse, it being a part of life until the Lord’s Second Coming, as has been prophesied.

This has been an opportunity for me to see the good that the people brings into the lives of each other as we unite together in love and concern for each other and living the two great commandments of the Lord---love God and love our neighbor. There is joy in praying not only for ourselves and our families, but for all the people of the world, petitioning Heavenly Father for safety and protection all throughout the time of the pandemic encounter and to open the minds of the people to the truthfulness of the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am so blessed to have reached this period which for only the sixth time, since the first vision, that the Prophets and Apostles have jointly signed and official declaration. This time it was written in regards to the First Vision and the Restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, thus:

“We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer.

“Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA. He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him.

“In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return.

“We affirm that under the direction of the Father and the Son, heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ. The resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins. Three of the original twelve Apostles—Peter, James, and John—restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood authority. Others came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death.

“We further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after His Resurrection. It teaches of life’s purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ, which is central to that purpose. As a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old.

“We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.

“Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Restoration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events.

“We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).

“With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World, read by President Russell M. Nelson as part of his message at the 190th Annual General Conference, April 5, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah, churchofjesuschrist.org).

These events in church history and the world will then remain to be my personal hinge point from this time forth; where my spiritual direction will depend upon. It will now be the central axis of my enduring personal witness of the First Vision, the Restoration of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, my testimony of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, the truth of the Book of Mormon, the living reality of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, my testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the only true and living Church upon the earth founded upon Apostles and prophets with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Chief cornerstone. This will be the fulcrum in my life when all my past and my present, will lead me and my family towards the final eternal destination upon which I will have to walk the covenant path more faithfully and live my life to best qualify for the sealing blessings and other covenants and benedictions which the Lord promised to those who serve Him in righteousness and in truth to the end.

THE FIGURATIVE SIMILARITY OF COVID-19 AND ISRAELITE SERPENT EXPERIENCE

by: Norberto Betita

Covid-19 may well be a figurative equivalent of poisonous serpents which the lord placed in the midst of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land. Originally, all that were bitten died. The people requested Moses “pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” (Numbers 21:7.) Yet, despite Moses’ pleadings, the Lord did not take the serpents out of them nor even reduce its number. He knew that the problem was not about the snakes, but their lack of faith and their attitude of perpetually complaining and blaming Moses and his leadership in relation to their difficulties, notwithstanding the Lord’s continued support. Hence, many of them died, not because of hunger from insufficient supplies, but because of greed and lust even with the great abundance which the Lord provided, and their continued bickering against their leaders.

Instead, the Lord commanded Moses to make a brazen serpent and attached it on a long stick and let it stood on a place where people could easily see and look at it. Then the Lord promised: "Everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live." (Numbers 21:8.)  As it was, the poisonous snakes remained in number of abundance, revealing the Lord’s way of teaching the people to deal with the actual problem. The solution He offered was to remind them that the snake was not actually the problem, but their attitude. He wanted to teach them to be thankful, to trust and to have faith in Him and His appointed leader.

However, still many of them died, not because the Lord’s solution was ineffective, but rather because they failed to look at the suggested cure. “…the labor they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or because of the easiness of it, there were many who perished.” (1 Nephi 17:41).  

So it is with our COVID-19 experience at this time. We are all seriously threatened by this worldwide pandemic. As it was with Israel, all were exposed to the serpents’ poisonous bites, the same way that we are all exposed to the ill effects of this highly contagious disease.

Likewise, as with Israel, we should not focus too much of our attention on the effects of the Covid-19 in our present circumstances. We need to focus on our attitudes and have faith to follow the directions of our government leaders and health care professionals for our safety and protection. The instructions are simple and easy---staying at home, taking a bath, washing hands with soap and water, using alcohol, wearing mask and physical and social distancing. And easy as simply looking at the brass serpent to be healed, these directions requires not much effort for us to be saved from the pandemic.   

COVID-19, is not like typhoon Yolanda which affected only a portion of the Philippine Archipelago and in a day concluded its fury; that from day one we can already start rebuilding. As a Filipino nation and as a people, we are all subjected to the creeping danger of this desolating sickness, and the threat takes time to be contained, such as was the threat of the serpents in Israel’s time. However, our government is not taking this threatening plague with neglect and desertion. It has done so much and is doing its best to face this pandemic in the strength of our national capabilities and available resources. We sure can win this battle if we only follow the suggested simple cure and prevention from our appointed leaders. However, if we desire to choose our own solution, walk the path we intend to go, and violate preventive restrictions, we surely will end up to the place we never would want to be.  

The present commotion for need of food and foodstuffs are just the common cry of people when there is a crisis, such as was with the Israelite during their exodus. But if the people will only be patient, it will soon be provided by the government or other charitable organizations and generous citizens. It may not be the kind of abundance which the Lord did to the Israelite. But it will sustain. And if only we will not focus in waiting for the government’s assistance, and instead unite and help each other, we can find other ways by which we can provide for ourselves.  

I am quite certain that President Duterte is chosen of God to lead our country in these crucial times of our history, by inspiring the Filipino people to vote for an unlikely President with all his limitations and frailties, just like when Moses was called by the Lord in his weakness and imperfections to lead Israel in the exodus. Let us, therefore, be united in supporting his most honest efforts, or we suffer as the Israelites of old, who because of their greed and lust, were found dead, even before they could chew the quails. And because of their continued opposition to Moses’ leadership, Miriam was stricken with Leprosy and as punishment to the tribes of Levi and Reuben, “the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” (Num. 16:32-35).

We should understand that the pandemic contagion of Covid-19 and the physical wrestle that we encountered both as victims, front liners and all who were subjected to the required temporary isolations, are our spiritual reminder that no matter the hardships that we have to face, God is always in control. 

The brass serpent which the Israelites were instructed to look in order to live, was later taught as a symbol of Christ’s Atonement.  John wrote: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:14-16). Therefore, it becomes our spiritual imperative to look to God for our salvation from this pandemic, as did the Israelites looked to the brass serpent to live.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland recently explained: “The Spirit is not blocked by a virus or by national boundaries or by medical forecasts.” There are “gifts from heaven that are not limited by trouble in the land or illness in the air. …

“He who created this marvelous world in which we live can say to any of the elements in it: ‘This far and no farther.’ That is what He will say to this blight we are facing. In the presence of His majesty, even subatomic-sized creations must bend — if only figuratively — and each in its own way ‘confess’ that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the great Redeemer of all. Under the direction of His Father, the Savior is in charge of the destiny of this world. We are in very sure and loving hands.” (Jeffrey R. Holland)

Very soon, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will be deciding on whether to lift or extend the lock down after April 30.  He is probably turned between two very serious concerns---lift the lockdown and spread the virus or extend the lock down and destroy the economy, leaving the people to go hungry. We hope and pray that his decision will redound to the betterment of the greater majority. We trust that with our collective prayers he will be guided by the Lord in his decision.

The history of the world is replete with accounts of great and dreadful calamities, such as, wars; earthquakes; hurricanes and typhoons; plagues and pestilences; famine and hunger; tsunamis and floods and other catastrophes which resulted in the extermination of unaccounted millions of life, unparalleled cost of money and resources; and unprecedented suffering and anguish among the people.

But this has always been a part of the progressive trajectory of earth life. Before the present challenges of Covid-19 came to existence, the earth, in its timeless orbit, has been constantly burdened and weighed down by unending monstrous blight and scourge. Yet, throughout history, the world continues to grow and develop notwithstanding the overloads of calamities, plagues and economic depressions that swarms in matchless proportions over continents and nations. Therefore, I am highly optimistic that the world will eventually win, and we as a Filipino Nation will ultimately overcome this fight against an unseen enemy and we will soar back from our physical, emotional and economic setbacks as it has always been before.

Let us, therefore, unite and raise our combined voices high in earnest pleadings and prayers to our Father in heaven, to guide President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his most crucial decision as regards our shared perilous encounter with COVID-19. Let us look, no longer to the brazen serpent, but to the living God and live!

TIME AND ETERNITY---A DREAM TO REMEMBER

By: Norberto Betita

We are in a chasing race with time. Whether some is enjoying the luxury of expensive brands as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Omega or Rolex, or just the ordinary and cheapest time piece in the common market, the earth’s time continues to move forward with the same precision for both the rich and the poor. And even if these time pieces stop functioning, like my manual pocket watch which terminates every 36 hours and is rested sometime for several days or in a week, our time in this life is never suspended. It is only when the “earth shall pass away” (Matthew 24:35), and “the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats” (Isaiah 51:6), that our time on earth will be ended and be swallowed up by the eternal time piece of God.

However, along our race through life some of us are caught unaware and overtaken by time as to cross the bar earlier and therefore the mortal race is for them, over. Amongst the early casualties in the chasing race with time are those in the tenderness of early infancy; those in the exuberance of youth with amazing prescience and foresight of the brightest and grandest expectations; and those who are in the prime of life when successes are in its pinnacle. Many, though, are lucky enough as to continue to endure the race with time and are privileged to enjoy the blessed daily extensions enough to reach the ripened years of old age. Yet even then, time on earth is very short; not even a click of a second compared to eternity.

My immediate elder sister---Janedina--- is one of those who are blessed to live long enough to reach a milestone of seven decades of earth life and still counting on. At 70 she is still physically active and vigorous. Her motherhood is par excellence, so is her love of siblings and family. She is one best sister who takes time and conduct generous hosting of our physical reunions as she wanted our family to be connected to each other while yet in this life. 

Such interest in family linkages is an attribute of eternity. It is propelled by love and affection. I am not sure, though, if she knew it herself and believed that families can literally be together forever, although it requires a sacred covenant, as did Abraham, in order to attain that order of life in the eternities. Her religiosity must have influenced her interest in family life. And this interest is a prologue to an even greater understanding of the life hereafter.

Nevertheless, there is much more in creating connections and associations that will eventually have an impact in the eternities than the ordinary family linking through physical reunions. Our connecting the line with our dead ancestors is part of the great plan of happiness which Heavenly Father provided for us, out of His great eternal love for His children. Thus, the importance of these linkages were given emphasis in His direction to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest [He] come[s] and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6).

“…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” (D&C 128:15). As it is further written, “…It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children…” (D&C 128:18). 

Although I long since knew about the truth of the time space between death and resurrection in the world of waiting spirits by the power of the Holy Ghost, I had been taught even well in a dream by no less than the loving husband of Janie---Jaime Depano---who had surrendered earlier his race with time and died several years past. It was no ordinary dream that regularly awakens me for restroom calls, but a kind of vision where I saw Jimmy with the rest of our dead ancestors, of whom my own family have done the proxy saving ordinances in the temple---The House of the Lord. They are in some form of a reunion. It was such a dream to remember that I recorded it in my personal history.

It was on the tranquil and restful night of June 10, 2019 that I saw in a dream Jimmy and other spirit personages all in pure white apparels, who were as though having a meeting. I am wondering, however, why only Jimmy was identified. He must have been appointed by the group to be the spokesman. Along with other parts of the dream, it was Jimmy’s repeated instructions that touched me. I understood then, even well, that Jimmy and the rest of our ancestors, were now in actual knowledge of God’s great eternal plan of happiness and they wanted to share such eternal truths with us. They now have the actual knowledge of the commandment to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” (Ibid), and the perfect truth that the family is central in God’s eternal plan of happiness and ordained to endure forever.

Jimmy made me understand that they are now in the spirit paradise awaiting for the grand family reunion and eventual resurrection. Therefore, they wanted the rest of the family to know the requirements upon which family exaltation can be gained. While Jimmy already had the knowledge of the truth about the continuation of the family in the life hereafter, yet he knew that their marital vow was only until death. Therefore, it is no longer in force and effect on the other side of the veil. In particular, I was specifically instructed by Jimmy to send a message to his wife---my immediate elder sister Janie---and inform her to listen to the message of the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that she and the family will be guided by the Spirit to know the truth for themselves and make rightful decisions to accept or reject it, in accordance with their moral agency. The instruction was clear and unmistakable that the family needs to receive the essential ordinances and be sealed to him---in the new and everlasting covenant of marriage---for time and all eternity in the temple of God, so they will have claim for each other during the resurrection. Nonetheless, I am utterly confused why he has to pass his message to me and not directly to his wife or children. Perhaps it is because he knew that I have a solemn and profound testimony and personal conviction of the eternal truths of what he wanted to convey to his family.

As I contemplate on Jimmy’s concerns for his family, I am reminded of these words from James E. Talmage: “When the frailties and imperfection of mortality are left behind, in the glorified state of the blessed hereafter, husband and wife will administer in their respective stations, seeing and understanding alike, and cooperating to the full in the government of their family kingdom. Then shall woman be recompensed in rich measure for all the injustice that womanhood has endured in mortality. Then shall woman reign by Divine right, a queen in the resplendent realm of her glorified state, even as exalted man shall stand, priest and king unto the most high. Mortal eye cannot see nor mind comprehend the beauty, glory, and majesty of a righteous woman made perfect in the celestial kingdom of God.” (James E. Talmage, “The eternity of Sex,” Young Woman’s Journal, October 1914, 600-603, quoted by Jeffrey R. Holland, “To My Friends”, Messages of Counsel and Comfort, Deseret Book, 238). Perhaps this truth must have been in his mind and he felt it unfortunate that his dearly beloved wife will be deprived of her queenly potential, without the required covenants with God, and of his children no longer to be a part of him when these things will happen. He might have feared lest the birthright blessings he received in the temple through proxy, will provide for him a different family during the resurrection day.

Although it was only a dream, I know that the message and instructions of Jimmy are true, but it is not mine to impose or insist for his family and the rest of our clan to believe. Yet I take it as a sacred privilege and duty for me to share while I am yet alive. These declarations may well be subjected to the common ironic rationalization that there is not one dead who ever came back to declare these realities. But the Lord has answered such a satirical reasoning centuries ago in his parable of the rich man and Lazarus, thus: “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

“And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

“And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

“And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

“But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

“And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

“For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

“Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

“And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.“ (Luke 16:19-31).

We have our moral agency or right to choose whether to believe it or not. But that I might be relieved of any blame from our ancestors when it will be my time to cross to the other side of the veil, and by all family members who are now living, when all these truths will be revealed during the resurrection day and the Second coming of the Lord, I, therefore, have to declare these sacred truths with boldness, soberness, courage and faith.

The dream was repeated several times while I was in deep sleep and even when I was almost awake and until I finally woke up at past 4:00 o’clock in the break of dawn of June 11, 2019.

At this time of Janie’s 70th birthday, I have no better wish than for her to feel the great love and concern of Jimmy for her and their family, and to ponder about his message for the family in my dream. His appearance in a dream to me was impelled by what Albert Einstein described as, “an extremely powerful force that, so far, science has not found a formal explanation to…a force that governs all others and is even behind any phenomenon operating in the universe...LOVE.” (In a letter to his daughter Lieserl, Shared by Nicol Wilts – May 14, 2015). It is the power of Jimmy’s pure love that conquers even the barriers of eternity, as to express his concern for the spiritual well-being of his dearest Janie and his children, even from beyond the other side of the veil.

Jimmy knew and cherished the godly attributes of Janie and his children and thus he wanted them to be the family that will be in his company when he shall, “inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths….which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever” (D & C 32:10), and “that they might receive a fulness of joy.” (D & C 138:17). Yet he knew that this could not happen without a sacred covenant relationship with God, as did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Russel M. Nelson, explained, “The Savior said, ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions...’(John 14:2). However, as you choose not to make covenants with God, you are settling for a most meager roof over your head throughout all eternity.” (“Come, Follow Me” President Russell M. Nelson, April 2019 General Conference, churchofjesuschrist.org).

Today, as the unveiling of dawn lapsed and the pristine beauty of sunshine soon dims at eventide, and as the day of the birthday celebration concludes, it is my earnest hope and prayer that Janie and the rest of the family will take the metaphorical challenge by Neal A. Maxwell to, “let us once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up the summer cottage in Babylon.” (Quoted by D. Todd Christofferson, see Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light [1990], 47). A residence in “Zion---the pure in heart” (D&C 97:21)---will rise in beauty and splendor into eternity, while even the most comfortable of earthly homes and mansions will be left to dilapidate towards destruction. All the pacifiers, securities, lulls, and flatteries which Babylon offers will ultimately be buried in oblivion. As Paul so declared to Timothy: “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7). Time may run out soon, as we each pass the portals to our endless end. It is my sincere wish that Janie and the rest of us will soon realize the immeasurably wide and expansive difference between living with earthly time and eternity with God.

TO MY DEAREST AND MOST LOVING ELDER SISTER---JANIE---HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY! May Heavenly Father bless you with continued liveliness and enthusiasm, and robust strength as you remain committed to enliven and strengthen our family ties in the spirit of love and benevolence. May your walk along the lane reserved for the elderly remain enjoyable and profoundly uplifting even as the dimming light of life crosses the point between sunset and evening star. May God grant your best wishes today and ever more through the coming years.

FIRST VISION BICENTENNIAL: IN RESPONSE TO THE PROPHET’S INVITATION (Part 4)

MY BELIEF IN THE ON-GOING RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

by: Norberto Betita

The restoration did not end after the first vision nor did it terminate after the death of the prophet Joseph Smith. I believe and know that since that First Vision of the prophet Joseph Smith, the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ did continue to its forward course and is still ongoing until this day and time.

It is clear in the Articles of Faith: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” (Articles of Faith 1:9.) Such prophetic declaration by the prophet Joseph Smith justifies the fact that the heavens did not close its portals to man, nor does God stops talking to His children in mortality. All the prophets after him were in continued communion with God in relation to the restoration of the gospel and the church of Jesus Christ, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, upon the earth, and that God continues to reveal to His appointed servants His will “concerning all things pertaining to [His] kingdom…even the wonders of eternity…and things to come…even the things of many generations.” (D & C 76:7-8). God’s heavenly realm is likewise open to every one of His children to “enlighten them, and by [his] power…make known unto them the secrets of [His] will—even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.” (D & C 76:10).

With the martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith, many of his persecutors might have believed that the church which was established through his instrumentality and restored in these last days of the fullness of times would shrivel and die with his demise. Unbeknown to them, however, is the fact that in time prior to his death, he left a prophetic utterance which was made part of his Wentworth letter which states, “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall all be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (Teachings: Joseph Smith Chapter 38: The Wentworth Letter, churchofjesuschrist.org.)

Indeed, the restored church did continue to move forward to its global existence after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, notwithstanding unrelenting persecutions. The stretch of its worldwide influence runs with accelerating pace and zooming frequency, thus becoming “one of the fastest growing churches in the world.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Come, Join with Us, churchofjesuschrist.org)

Cebu Philippines Temple

President Russel M. Nelson, the incumbent living successor of the Prophetic authority since the time of the prophet Joseph Smith, so declared, "If you think the Church has been fully restored, you're just seeing the beginning." (President Russell M. Nelson said about the Church in a video during his South American tour.) There is a lot more to do and more work to accomplish in the “gathering of scattered Israel on both sides of the veil” (President Russel M. Nelson), and “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

Therefore, in the continuing process of the restoration the Lord provides this instruction and warning: “Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

“Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads.

“He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.

“Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.

“For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig tree.

“And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.

“For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.

“And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.

“And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:81-83, 86-91)

Since then and now, the restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has been going on and will continue to roll forth until His Second Coming. The scriptures record: “And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord shall be unveiled.” (Section 88:95). Then He shall declare: “…I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God. And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king…And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.” (D&C 45:52–53, 55). Then again, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Manila Philippines Temple

During those times, “…ultimately nothing can be hidden. God, who said, “all things are present with me, for I know them all” (Moses 1:6), has power to reveal all things. Those in any age of the world who have performed works of darkness, thinking their deeds could be covered, will have their hopes blasted. When the trumps of God are sounded, all things will be made known—even the thoughts and intents of our hearts. For some this will be dreadful. For others, who have labored and served in purity and have performed secretly acts of love, kindness, and sacrifice, this will be a time of great joy. All will know at that time that God is just. He and His servants will be vindicated, and all will acknowledge that the only desire of God and His people is for the welfare and happiness of all His children.” (see The Olive Leaf – D & C 88:108-110, churchofjesuschrist.org).

My unfaltering and devoted enduring conversion to the truth of the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the opportunity to serve almost uninterruptedly in His church is perhaps the only investment of heart, might, mind and strength, and time and resources that did pay adequate dividends for me and my family, not only in this life but even eternally in the life to come. Such is my faith and humble conviction. All other investments were doomed to worldly blunders and failures.

With the oncoming First Vision bicentennial celebration and in response to the Prophet’s invitation, I bear solemn witness of these truths with fervency of soul and unrestrained confidence and certainty in the heart and mind. I know with deeper spiritual dimension, wisdom and knowledge of the revealed truths, that no matter how brilliant the critics, no matter how much effort is exerted to fiddle and defraud, no matter how many intelligent minds shall combine to outwit and thwart, the validity of these sacred truths of the ongoing restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, will never be perverted nor shattered, it will remain constant forever and ever.

I deemed it crucial and sublime duty to bear my testimony of the truth as a sounding cry to remind all of us of the scriptural warnings of inescapable terror that will come upon the earth. President Russel M. Nelson said, “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world. They are undaunted, devoted, and courageous.” (Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives, President Russell M. Nelson, April 217 General Conference, churchofjesuschrist.org).

My testimonies may have been only a small measure of contribution to President Russel M. Nelson’s call "…to be a major part in sharing the message of the ongoing Restoration of the Savior’s gospel.” But as it has been said “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6); just like a “very small helm” that benefitted “a very large ship…very much…in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.” (see Doctrines and Covenants 123:16); or as the sunbeam that breaks its light into the eastern sky and peeps by the clouds to light the incomparable panoramic grandeur of divinely fantastic landscapes on valleys, hills and mountains of this beautiful earth. So I pray that the light of my testimony may shine and sparkle in the growing garden of one’s conscience, and provide luster and gentle touch to the willing hearts of those who might find time to read my witness and testimony.