THEY SHALL HAVE GLORY ADDED UPON THEIR HEADS

by: Norberto Betita

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By: Norberto Betita

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by: Norberto  Betita

Members and leaders preparing for community service

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

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

Relief Society anniversary celebration

Why we need to become a stake of Zion?

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

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

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

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

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

Why we need to obey the law of tithing?

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

A family paying their tithing

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

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

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

National day of service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Young single adults activity

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

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

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”.