SURIGAO CITY: SURIGAO PHILIPPINES DISTRICT DONATED 303 HOURS OF SERVICE FOR COASTAL CLEAN-UP

by: Norberto Betita

In line with the Earth Day celebration and in observance of the yearly National Day of Service, the Surigao Philippines District of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints conducted coastal cleanings along the shores of Sitio Panubigon, Brgy. Lipata, Surigao City. Another group also conducted clean-up at the coastline of Brgy. Mabua, Surigao City. A total of 303 service hours for 101 volunteers were donated. Forty small trash bags, 20 extra-large, and 7 double extra-large were filled with coastal garbage and litters. 

Wearing the popular Helping Hand vests, the group of adults, missionaries, youths and children led by District President Robert Sherwin S. Betita, together with available Priesthood leaders started the coastal clean-up at 7AM and ended at 10AM confronting the heat of the rising eastern sun. Children and youth enjoyed observing the moving little creatures on the semi-dried sands while cleaning the wastes and trashes. They thought that with cleaner coastal surroundings these creatures will survive long and increase in numbers. The leaders hoped that this activity will open the minds of youths and children on the importance of protecting the environment and therefore participate in future environmental protection programs and activities of the Church or any other socio-civic organizations' similar initiatives.

Along the same coastal area are found the growing mangrove plantation which was part of previous National Day of Service activities of the Surigao Philippines District. The youths who did more part in planting these mangrove trees are hoping that these will remain to become a sanctuary and breeding habitation for ocean life in Surigao City. 

  

Earlier the District Presidency coordinated with the barangay officials and the officials of the Surigao City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) of the planned activity. They expressed gratitude and support for the undertaking. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints supports the worldwide efforts for environmental protection by encouraging its members and the people throughout the world through the social media to participate and contribute in saving the ecosystem. 

SUNSHINE AFTER THE STORM AND RAINBOW AFTER THE RAIN

By: Norberto G. Betita

Life begins at 40 and one need to be grateful to be able to cut across the line or leap the hurdle of life’s difficult border of middle age, so they say. Indeed, many were not lucky enough to cross the intersection as to cut short their journey. But I don’t believe that it has something to do with this myth.

Forty years ago, on April 25, 1975, I was on duty in an island as a security guard when I was informed that my wife in mainland Surigao City had given birth. I was overjoyed and with so much excitement, I requested to cut short my tour of duty and immediately applied for a leave of absence. Waiting at the jetty for a commercial pump boat to Surigao City seemed so long and only intensified my anxiousness and enthusiasm to see my firstborn child. My anxiety ended as I boarded for an hour and a half trip to Surigao City, and my joy was full as I saw and carried in my arms my first born Hazel, a name long before chosen by her mother. She was born in a lowly circumstance at the home of my parents-in-law. Not even a cushioned mattress was available for Hazel and my dearest Letty to lie on. However, we are so much grateful that she was born normal and very healthy.

Since then she has grown healthy, strong, beautiful, and brilliant. In her childhood, she was spoiled by the greatest love that we have for her and of her grandparents endearing affection. She is loved by neighbours for her lady-like countenance and actions. Yet, despite our continued nurturing and rearing, she turned out to be at times stubborn. After graduating from high school, she qualified to study at the University of the Philippines. Not many brilliant youths from public high school, had qualified. She stayed for two years until her mother eventually pulled her out from the University. She eventually graduated with a degree in Management Accounting from a local college and passed a government Civil Service Eligibility.

She married the youngest son of a family friend, a returned missionary and was sealed together as a family in the Manila Philippines Temple. She has been educated and should have been qualified for employment, but her loving husband had placed her at the highest pedestal of her rightful calling to perform the greatest and divine role of motherhood. They enjoyed life together living with us while her husband was still finishing college. They lived a happy family life in the midst of penury. Four wonderful, beautiful and intelligent children were born which bring joy and gladness into the circle and developed in her an enduring virtue of motherhood. They were given a taste of affluence, but instead of affording comfort for the family, the provider eventually “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). Life’s storms started to blow hard and rains continued to slump heavy downpours upon her and her children’s path of tragedy. After 14 years of marriage, her dream for an eternal family was lost in oblivion. Gone were the joy and gladness the family once enjoyed and savored. Estranged were the innocent children who suffered the anguish of alienation. She found shelter back in the old nest of her childhood and for her children a protective grand family.

Now she is looking back to the experiences of her youthful past as she nurtures and rears her teenage girls and baby boys who are looking forward to the future bereft of a father’s guiding hands. Her challenges of the past and of the present are vast and varied, but she had endured and is enduring well even the diversifying magnitude of her trials. For the first time in her life, she has to make use of her long stagnant professional training and education to help provide for the immediate needs of her children with assistance from the extended and benevolent hands of siblings.

She may have lost her king, but it doesn’t mean that she will lose her queenly promises. Elder James E. Talmage declared this assurance: "Then shall woman be recompenses 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...Mortal eye cannot see nor mind comprehend, the beauty, glory, and majesty of a righteous woman made perfect in the celestial Kingdom of God." (Quoted by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, To My Friends, pp. 238). God in His infinite wisdom and love gives His children every chance for joy and happiness in this life and in the hereafter. Her children will have the same opportunity if they all remain faithful and true. And the ever loving and merciful God has promised that He will always be at hand.

The storms that cut into the bonds of their family relationship will eventually dissipate and a new day will come to bring a lovely and delightful sunshine. The rains of life may ever follow their path, yet after each rain there will always shine the gorgeous and exquisite rainbow that will provide hope and assurance that life will always be profoundly enjoyable and a bridge towards future opportunities will continually be open.

Today, as she celebrates her 40th birthday and begins a new life, we express our best wishes for continued faith and hope as she walks with her children toward the unknown future of life’s journey. May she be blessed with daily strength and power to overcome the great and enormous challenges of a single mother of four. May God grant her hearts righteous yearnings for things of eternal consequence. May her joy and gladness be full as she leads a life of righteousness and virtue for her young and growing children to emulate. May the pains of estrangement disperse and a new hope of a dawning joyful life kicks off. May peace and love fills her heart for her children of whom she risked her only life. May the sunshine after the storm and the rainbow after the rain bring in heavenly powers for the best possibilities and prospects for her and the children. May God allow for our best and earnest wishes to be fulfilled for our ever dearest and dearly beloved Hazel, the first born.

LIKE A LITTLE CHILD: COMPARING CHURCH OPPOSITION AND CHILDLIKE HONESTY

By: Norberto Betita

It’s Monday morning in the Philippines, April 6, 2015. I was indisposed but I tried to wake up early to check on some news on the General Conference proceedings of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints in the internet. As a member of the church of 38 years I love to listen and read conference messages. During the rebroadcast which we generally do in the Philippines, I usually viewed the whole ten hours of conference proceedings. As it is, my usual conference excitement brought me early in front of my computer, but my reaction was one of great surprise when I saw a post shared from FOX 13 News about dissenting votes raised during the sustaining of church officers. Although my interest was not placed so much on the dissenters than to read the messages of the prophets and apostles and other general authorities, I caught attention on “Church member Don Braegger [who] told FOX 13 News he was among those who voted in opposition, and he cited recent excommunications of prominent critics within the LDS Church, among other things, as his reasons. He told FOX 13 News, “With the recent excommunications of Kate Kelly and John Dehlin and some others, it has seemed, to a lot of us, that the church is trying to stifle an open voice and an open conversation” (see http://fox13now.com/2015/04/04/5-hands-among-thousands-mark-rare-votes-of-dissent-during-lds-churchs-general-conference/).”

His open support to these former members of the church reminds me of the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “Some insist upon studying the Church only through the eyes of its defectors—like interviewing Judas to understand Jesus. Defectors always tell us more about themselves than about that from which they have departed.

“Some others patiently feed their pet peeve about the Church without realizing that such a pet will not only bite the hands of him who feeds it, but it will swallow his whole soul. Of course we are a very imperfect people! Remember, however, that while it is possible to have an imperfect people possessed of perfect doctrines (indeed, such is necessary to change their imperfections), you will never, never see the reverse: a perfect people with imperfect doctrines” (All Hell Is Moved, Neal A. Maxwell, Nov 08, 1977).

I have followed the stories of Kate Kelly and John Dehlin which eventually brought them to their excommunications. Hence, I thought that those who opposed must have been avid supporters of the two and therefore by their patronage they found courage to express their dissention in General Conference. Whatever others may say, for me it was never proper for a member “in good standing” as he claimed to be, to do such. But it is his right as it is with others to express their moral agency to oppose. Elder Bruce R. McKonkie explained that “administrative affairs of the Church are handled in accordance with the law of common consent. This law is that in God’s earthly kingdom, the King counsels what should be done, but then he allows his subjects to accept or reject his proposals.” Although he warned that: “Unless the principle of free agency is operated in righteousness men do not progress to ultimate salvation in the heavenly kingdom hereafter. Accordingly, church officers are selected by the spirit of revelation in those appointed to choose them, but before the officers may serve in their positions, they must receive a formal sustaining vote of the people over whom they are to preside. (D. & C. 20:60–67; 26:2; 28; 38:34–35;41:9–11; 42:11; 102:9; 124:124–145.)” (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 149–50.)

The call for sustaining vote is to help us understand our relationship with God and His anointed servants. We raise our hands to the square as a solemn manifestation of common consent that we are willing to support and sustain the man or woman whom we have mutual belief as being called of God. Raising our hands to the square to sustain is a sacred expression of our willingness to support and follow the Lord’s oracles and our humble submission to their direction. We must understand that our leaders are not accountable to the people; they are accountable to God who called and directs them. “We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof” (Fifth Article of Faith).

However, the opposition was already done and such will be properly dealt with in a proper church forum. There is always an ever extended room for love and forgiveness.

My consciousness, however, took me to Don Braegger’s statement in an interview with Fox 13 News, “But like the little boy from the childhood fable, I must state what I see and proclaim “The Emperor has no Clothes!” Knowing pretty well the story I was inclined to distinguish a very significant inconsistency of his action to oppose the church leaders and his claim of such as an act of childlike innocence and honesty, from which we may all learn some lessons.

The story from which Don Braegger got his quote, “The Emperor has no Clothes!” is entitled “The Emperor's New Clothes”. There had been several versions of the story, but the message is similar. This is a story of “an emperor who loved beautiful new clothes so much that he spent all his money on being finely dressed” (see the entire story, “The Emperor's New Clothes, and other tales of Aarne-Thompson-Uther type 1620, edited by D. L. Ashliman,© 1999-2014, http://www.pitt.edu).

“One day two swindlers came to the emperor's city. They said that they were weavers, claiming that they knew how to make the finest cloth imaginable. Not only were the colors and the patterns extraordinarily beautiful, but in addition, this material had the amazing property that it was to be invisible to anyone who was incompetent or stupid.

“"It would be wonderful to have clothes made from that cloth," thought the emperor. "Then I would know which of my men are unfit for their positions, and I'd also be able to tell clever people from stupid ones." So he immediately gave the two swindlers a great sum of money to weave their cloth for him.

“They set up their looms and pretended to go to work, although there was nothing at all on the looms. They asked for the finest silk and the purest gold, all of which they hid away, continuing to work on the empty looms, often late into the night.”

The King was so excited about the progress of his new clothes, “but he was a bit uneasy when he recalled that anyone who was unfit for his position or stupid would not be able to see the material.” Instead he sent his honest old minister as he trusts that he would be the best to describe for him the progress of the new clothes. But the old minister saw nothing, but could not even as to honestly tell the weavers for fear that he might be labeled as unfit for his position and stupid. So he described the invisible clothe as magnificent and very best to the weavers and then to the emperor. The swindlers then asked for more money, the finest cloths and gold.

The king also sends his other officials, who likewise described the invisible clothes as magnificent and excellent. Even the emperor himself was deceived that while preparing for the grand procession and looking at the mirror he admired his own nakedness in all glory believing that he had the majestic clothes on. As he walked into the grand procession the people exclaimed, “"Goodness, the emperor's new clothes are incomparable! What a beautiful train on his jacket. What a perfect fit!" No one wanted it to be noticed that he could see nothing, for then it would be said that he was unfit for his position or that he was stupid. None of the emperor's clothes had ever before received such praise.”

Then the voice of a small child was heard, "But he doesn't have anything on!" Finally everyone was saying, “He doesn’t have anything on!”

“The emperor shuddered, for he knew that they were right, but he thought, "The procession must go on!" He carried himself even more proudly, and the chamberlains walked along behind carrying the train that wasn't there.”

Don Braegger’s declaration and action to oppose church leaders appeared farthest to illustrate or exhibit an expression of childlike innocence and honesty as like the child saying in the story, “The Emperor has no Clothes!” or "[The emperor] doesn't have anything on!" In the story the child saw a very clear deception and blatant untruth and instantaneously disclosed the same and declared with candour the real and unquestionable verity. To say the least Don Braegger seemed to articulate that the long established church and the long standing callings of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who are God’s oracles to direct His earthly kingdom are untruth and unworthy of what they say as compared to the declarations of the groups of dissenters and defectors who organized themselves to oppose the doctrines of God’s kingdom which had withstood times and seasons.

I wish to express my personal feelings and solemn testimony that the church is true and its doctrines perfect. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, then and now, are men of truth and virtue, men of knowledge and wisdom, men of honesty and integrity, men of seasoned expertise both in the secular and spiritual fields, and they are men called of God. They speak with boldness and declare the words of God with solemnity and soberness. They are true to what they say and they live as to reflect their lives a beckon for all to see. Like most of us they have their own weaknesses and imperfections, but they strive to be perfect. Certainly they are no swindlers. No matter the failings of these great men and women who were called to assist in God's hastening work of salvation and help direct and govern His church and kingdom upon the earth which Jesus Christ himself founded and therefore stood as its head, I shall remain true to my conviction and testimony of this truth.

However, there are a few of us who see things like chalk and cheese. There are those who are no different from the honest old minister, or the officials in the emperor’s court, and the emperor himself, who are blinded by the deceitfulness of swindlers and their own vanity and conceit. Some see evil as good and good evil. But it is not surprising because earlier in church history, “On the sixth of April, 1845, the Twelve Apostles issued a proclamation which included these words: 

"As this work progresses in its onward course, and becomes more and more an object of political and religious interest and excitement, no king, ruler, or subject, no community or individual, will stand neutral. All will at length be influenced by one spirit or the other; and will take sides either for or against the kingdom of God." (Messages of the First Presidency, p. 257, quoted by Neal A. Maxwell, All Hell Is Moved, Nov. 08, 1977)

Therefore, comparing church opposition and childlike honesty, we need be guided by a few events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as recorded in Luke 18:15-17: “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”

There is truth in the words of George Orwell: "The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it." (http://www.reddit.com, self.conspiracy). But for as long as we possess the virtue of a child truth will always be beautiful to the eyes, sweet and satisfying to the ears and pleasurable to the soul.

“I THIRST”

by: Norberto Betita

As we commemorate the Easter season we might wonder why Jesus Christ who declared himself to the Samaritan woman as the source of “living water" (See John 4:10), should at the moment of His agony declare, “I thirst” (see John 19:28).

Jesus and His disciples traveled from Judea to Galilee and to Samaria. While His disciples went to the city to buy meat He sat on Jacob’s well where a woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus then asked the woman to give Him drink. The woman was surprised because the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus told the woman that if she only knew who He was she would have asked Him and He should have given her living water (see John 4:3-10). Explaining about the difference between the water that is in Jacob’s well and His promised living water, He told the Samaritan woman, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (see John 4:13-14). To which, “The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not” (see John 4:15).

To Nephi the Spirit of God showed in vision, “the fountain of living waters, … which waters are a representation of the love of God” (see 1 Nephi 11:25). To every man and woman He extends His invitation: “Everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters” (see Isaiah 55:1 and 2nd Nephi 9:50). During His mortal ministry, “Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (see John 7:37-38). He has ever wanted us to partake of the living water---the love of God---freely that we may thirst not and that, “Therefore with joy shall [we] draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). Such was His unchangeable promise, His undeniable assurance.

He allowed the people both Jew and Gentile to witness how such living water or the infinite love of God works. He feed the hungry; he clothed the naked; he healed the sick and the afflicted; he gave sight to the blind; he gave comfort to the weary and worn; he liberated the captives; he forgave the sinners. He did these miraculous acts as expressions of His unfailing love. Yet not many appreciated Him. Those whom He offered His unspeakable love instead wanted Him crucified. They ridiculed Him and led Him to suffer more than He could bear. But He was ever as willing to bear all the burdens of the guilt of humankind upon His shoulders according to His infinite promise that they will eventually have the fountain of living water where all may draw from the “wells of salvation”. 

That all may thirst no more unto everlasting life He wanted to provide everybody of His living water. This He intended to do that all men might live in accord with the eternal plan of Heavenly Father of which He was the appointed Savior. He suffered that we may not suffer and that all of us might taste of the glory He has promised. And in doing all the needed sacrifices prior to His being nailed on the cross and after giving up all of His living water---His infinite love to billions and billions of all who sinned, at the last moment of His agony on the cross at Calvary, exhausted and totally drained after trading His innocence in favor of the sinful humanity that all might not drink the bitter cup which He voluntarily drunk, that His saving mission might be fulfilled, “Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished”, and perhaps knowing that everybody both bond or free; sinners and saints; can now have the privilege to draw and partake from the well of living water finally declared, “I thirst” (see John 19:28).

The thirst which Jesus experienced must have been felt from the very moment that He bled at every pore at the garden of Gethsemane and painfully suffered all the tortures and anguishes in behalf of our guilt. Yet He bore it patiently until the final hours of His atonement was concluded on the cross and only after He knew that His mission was accomplished. President Joseph Fielding Smith explained: “The driving of the nails into his hands and into the Savior’s feet was the least part of his suffering. We get into the habit, I think, of feeling, or thinking that his great suffering was being nailed to the cross and left to hang there. Well, that was a period in the world’s history when thousands of men suffered that way. So his suffering, so far as that is concerned, was not any more than the suffering of other men who have been so crucified. What, then, was his great suffering? I wish we could impress this fact upon the minds of every member of this Church: His great suffering occurred before he ever went to the cross. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane, so the scriptures tell us, that blood oozed from every pore of his body; and in the extreme agony of his soul, he cried to his Father. It was not the nails driven into his hands and feet. Now do not ask me how that was done because I do not know. Nobody knows. All we know is that in some way he took upon himself that extreme penalty. He took upon him our transgressions, and paid a price, a price of torment.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, (2013), 58–71).

He thirsted that according to the prophecies of Isaiah on the day of restoration, “the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:6-7, 10). The love of the Almighty will be poured out without measure to everyone that received Him. The thirst that Jesus suffered while on the cross at Calvary provided us with substantive assurance that we will not suffer if only we should live up to the principles of His everlasting gospel.

If, however, like Alma the younger, who with the sons of Mosiah rebelled against God and seek to destroy His church then the thirst which the Lord suffered will find no efficacy to satisfy our yearnings for His redeeming love. Instead we will be “racked with torment” and “harrowed up by the memory of [our] sins”. We will be brought into the “gall of bitterness and [be] encircled about by the everlasting chains of death” (see Alma 36:17-18). Yet His thirst is to help us that we might be relieved from the pains of our sinfulness and abominations. Whether we are rich of poor, bond or free, we can all partake of the love of God freely if only we would repent and come to Him and “awake and arouse [our] faculties, even to an experiment upon [His] words, and exercise a particle of faith,” and “desire to believe,” and give place for a portion of [His] words” (see Alma 32:27) in our lives.

As He tried to quench our thirst for the love of God, He then leads us, “unto living fountains of waters” where “God shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes.” (see Rev. 7: 17). And again to his beloved Apostle he said: “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (see Rev. 21: 6). And because He thirsted, “in the barren deserts” of our hearts “there shall come forth pools of living water”---His infinite love; “and the parched ground” of our souls “shall no longer be thirsty” (see Doctrine & Covenants 133:29).

What a wonderful feeling I do have that He thirsted that I might have eternal life; that He sacrificed, for me to be able to inherit the glory that has been reserved for the faithful of Heavenly Father’s children. He thirsted and conclusively declared “it is finished” as He finally “gave up the ghost” (see John 19: 30) to complete His saving mission for me and the rest of humankind. He voluntarily gave His life as a ransom for my sins. Nobody took it from Him, He laid it down Himself. He had the power to lay it down and He had the power to take it again (see John 10:17-18). To me His words “I thirst” speak of the eventual triumph and victory of His atonement that I and the rest of humanity might thirst no more. It helped me to understand that never in anyway should I need to thirst for the love of God for Jesus the crucified have borne all my griefs, my sorrows, and my sinfulness in exchange of my cravings for God’s consuming love and mercy, on conditions of repentance. I felt honored by the fact that for as long as my deeds and desires are centered on Him, and should my heart be continually filled to overflowing with aspirations to serve God and His church, then I can have the unmistakable assurance that He will let His living water freely flow to fill the voids of my personal and spiritual well where I may draw the promise of eternal life.

On the third day after His crucifixion He was resurrected that all might be glorified. On the remaining few moments of His mortal life, He thirsted, but now He thirsted no more for His glory had come and He now sits in His rightful place in Heavenly Father’s Kingdom. The prophet Joseph Smith testified: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. (Doctrine & Covenants 72:22-24).

He thirsted, “For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; … yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement” (Alma 34:9).

Like the woman of Samaria it is imperative upon each of us to believe and accept the Lord’s offer to partake of the “water springing up into everlasting life” (see John 4:13-14) that we may be filled of His redeeming love and mercy. Then we need to come to our best understanding of His atoning sacrifice and find real meaning on one of His last phrases spoken while hanging on the cross at Calvary’s hill where while in ultimate anguish and suffering declared, “I thirst”.

IN OUR DEEPEST AGONY HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US COMFORTLESS

by: Norberto Betita

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by: Norberto Betita

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

As a young Mormon Helping Hands
Volunteer

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

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

With younger sister

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

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

Family

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

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

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

by: Norberto Betita

On the way home after our last session

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

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

The Cebu Philippines Temple with scaffolds high for deep cleaning 

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

The cheap and comfortable temple patron housing

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

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

Part of the temple grounds

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

Family picture after Sunday services
with heaven's dews falling

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

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

Where heaven and the Philippines islands meet

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