TRAVIS’ BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION

By: Norberto Betita

Travis Betita Preciosa with father Fraodel R. Preciosa

He now turns 8 years old and was baptized by his father---Fraodel Cuartero Preciosa---who is at the same time his branch president. As his grandfather, I was privileged to confirm him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and bestowed upon him the Gift of the Holy Ghost. These are his second and third Priesthood ordinance since birth. Through these saving ordinances, He is now ushered into the straight and narrow way to the ever open door of the Celestial Kingdom of God. From this day and forward, he will be nurtured and guided by his parents towards receiving other required priesthood ordinances necessary for his eventual service in God’s earthly kingdom, to receive the glory promised to the faithful.

I am grateful that during the past eight years, he had grown strong and healthy and vigorous despite his earlier physical challenge of having been born with only one kidney. He already had the privilege of being checked by a Pediatric Nephrologist and found to be just as physically normal as other children although there are restrictions as regards physical activities that requires more body contacts.

With family

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He is now in his second grade and is doing fine, although getting his hard times of adjusting to the mother tongue language which is used as principal instructional language for 2nd graders. His mother has had the hardest time to teach him the mother tongue because prior to the start of his formal school, he had been speaking in the English language. Such a language had seemed to be his first and original lingua franca. At home he converse with her cousins in the English language. Somehow, at least after his formal schooling, he can now readily understand our native dialect.

Birthday celebration after baptism

As a grandfather, I am truly grateful to witness his father baptizing him as a worthy Priesthood Holder. It is also one great privilege for me to perform the very important ordinance of Confirmation and bestowal of the Holy Ghost upon him. I am grateful that this had become a tradition in the family. As a father and grandfather, it doesn’t matter to me if we live in poverty and destitution, for as long as our family remains to be active participants in the Kingdom of God and not just spectators. After all, I know and believe that when the day that we will be summoned before the judgment bar of the great Jehovah, the righteous judge of all the living and the dead, we will not be asked about our degrees, attainments, accomplishments and our bank accounts. The most important thing that the Lord will ask of us and which will be the ultimate basis for His righteous judgment centers on our family life and our participation in His work upon the earth in accordance with the Priesthood covenants and promises we make with Him and Heavenly Father. We will not be going back to our heavenly home as individuals, but as families to receive the "power, might, and dominion" he promised as we attain the glory of the exalted celestial sphere of Heavenly Fathers Kingdom, there to live as kings and queens, prince and princesses.

With friends, visitors and guests

After baptism---which lead him at the gate of the Celestial Kingdom---Travis will now walk the covenant path taking always with him the name of Jesus Christ and to always remember Him. He is to always keep the commandments and served his fellowmen, enduring well to the end. He is promised the Spirit to be with him always as he lives his life worthy of its influence. He is now accountable for his personal sins and therefore should start to learn and know many more about the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift of repentance for forgiveness of sins and as a condition for the great sacrifice of the Lord to have an effect in his life and salvation. His parents will be his nurturing and caring hands that will help him walk the straight and narrow way to his eternal journey. The Lord warned parents, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). “And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents. And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:25, 27–28).

“…I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:40).

In due time and proper age, Travis will also receive the Holy Priesthood ---The power and authority of God given to man to act in all things pertaining to salvation---by ordination to be performed by his father. I wish I will still have that opportunity to participate and witness such a holy ordinance which will eventually launch him to greater callings and service in Heavenly Father’s Kingdom.

It is my ardent hope and most sincere prayer that Travis will continue to grow in righteousness and virtue. That he will always take to himself this counsel of Alma to his son Helaman, “O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

“Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 37:35-37).

May these words be a constant reminder for him in his growing up years. My days are becoming shorter, but of my remaining days in mortality, Travis can always trust that I will be supporting him in all his efforts to spiritual progress and maturity.

LIVING A CONSECRATED LIFE

By: Norberto Betita

I cherished the memory when we almost have lost hope to be able to have another child after a gap of five years since our eldest daughter was born. But Heavenly Father answered our prayers and he was conceived.

On the time of his scheduled delivery, her mother was confined for more than 24 hours in continued labor pains. I was enveloped with fears and anxieties as I witnessed her mother suffered in excruciating agony, frail and weary for having no rest. A dreaded terror even blanketed my already drained and exhausted limbs when I was informed that the young mother next my dear Letty’s bed died after child birth.

My wife’s doctor then was in America and was not available for her scheduled delivery of our son. Letty’s childbirth was therefore dependent on the availability of the resident physician of the Surigao Provincial Hospital. When he was about to be delivered at dawn of June 19, 1980, the doctor was performing surgery together with available nurses. The only available labor support then at the delivery room were two midwifery students of the Surigao Education Center. There’s no longer time to wait, he had to be delivered. I was there to assist the midwifery students. I saw the smaller student trembling while the bigger one had shown much confidence that she could do the delivery. We did the labor couching together and our son was safety born. But the students almost got an error of cutting the umbilical cord in the inside of the forceps instead of outside it. Good that the bigger one was alert enough to caution the trembling student. All that the doctor and nurses did, were to do the finishing touches and provide medicines and prescriptions.

Immediately, on the first Sunday of July, our son received his first ordinance in mortality---the naming and blessing of a child. As a Father and Melchizedek Priesthood holder, I performed for him the ordinance. He was then named ROBERT SHERWIN, after the name of the missionary who baptized us---Robert Sherwin Allred.

I should say that he was an answer to our prayers not only because he was conceived when we were already kind of hopeless that we would have another child, but also because I truly prayed that we will have another potential priesthood holder in the family.

His early childhood was faced with trials, because soon after his birth, I lost my job and I have to support the family’s needs from a very minimal income out of a little vegetable garden in a borrowed lot. We were then living in one small room where everything we own were crammed and jam-packed. Fortunately, however, I eventually got a much better and secured job.

Father and son long ago at church

Our closeness as father and son developed very early in his life. I treasured those moments when he would want always to go with me at church when I have scheduled meetings. By then there was no readily available transport to church, so we have to walk and I would carry him on my back as we traverse the hill to the Provincial Capitol and down Ceniza Heights Subdivision which is approximately a one and a half kilometers walking distance, oftentimes even under the heat of the afternoon sun. He enjoyed those childhood experiences.

He had been raised and reared in the church and had learned the gospel at home and ever since he was in the Primary until becoming a member of the young men organization. He was conferred the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained to its different offices and had since diligently performed his priesthood callings. Eventually, he was also conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained an Elder while studying at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

During his youthful life, he’s never been a problem. He loved reading books, especially the adventure stories of The Hardy Boys---a series of stories of two brave young brothers called Frank and Joe Hardy who are adventurous and sometimes even assisted in solving crimes by their excitement to participate in dangerous escapades. He loved to borrow those books from the library near our rented house. Such interest for reading developed his comprehension and learning ability and even enhanced his proficiency of the English language.

He is the only boy out of our five children, but he was never a spoiled brat. His discipline even as a young boy is reflected in his ability to develop self-mastery. He strongly shunned the temptations most common in the vulnerability of youth---he neither drink liquor nor smoke. His frugality has long since been developed even in his younger days. He didn’t demand for anything that was not needed, but when he had a need for something, he just honestly informed us and waited until we could provide. When his shoes or bag were worn out, he showed those personal gears to us, but never asked for replacement. He left the burdens before our feet for our conscience to voluntarily oblige. He is apt to live the popular American motto: "Use it Up, Wear it Out Make it Do or Do Without” even until today when he can already provide for himself and his family.

He still wears shirts which were acquired 10 years ago and buys cheap kinds of apparels which sometimes irritates his wife, though she very much supported and appreciated his incarnate provident life. He takes the Lord’s counsel, “…thou shalt not be proud in thy heart; let all thy garments be plain…” (D&C 42:40).

He is not easily driven into the most inviting cares and pride of the world. The “deceitfulness of riches” as described in the Lord’s Parable of the Sower, has never in any way attracted his attention. He’s had many opportunities come into his life for material advancement and the prospects of temporal abundance and security, but he prefers living a consecrated life before the Lord. He is always satisfied to humbly just acknowledge that he has sufficient for his family’s needs. He understands best the Lord’s admonition: “Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich” (D&C 6:7).

As a husband, father and Priesthood leader, he gives preeminence to his family. He gives of his most precious times to his wife and children. He makes it a point that he is worthy to perform priesthood ordinances for them. He likewise shares his time, talents and possessions in service to others and in helping to build the Lord’s Kingdom.

With the Area, Mission and District leaders

He is engaged in an unpaid ministry in the church---a voluntary service to God. Yet he glories in being privileged to preside and lead a district of the Lord’s Church in this part of His vineyard. He leads and ministers to the people he had been called to serve with utmost dedication, concern and love. He sees to it that their spiritual and temporal needs are meet. He makes it a point that the poor and needy are cared for and ministered unto, according to the commandment of the Lord to his stewards and servants which says: “…be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father” (D&C 81:5-6).

In my unbiased assessment of his consecrated life, as a father, I see in him the epitome of the Lord’s example of a servant leader. He takes his stewardship with deeper dedication and commitment, keeping in mind the words of King Benjamin, “…that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). He used to tell me that there is no better leadership guide than to teach people correct principles and let them govern themselves, as admonished by the prophet Joseph Smith. (Messages of the First Presidency, comp. James R. Clark, 6 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75, 3:54.)

Among his favorite scriptures which is also my favorite, is found in Doctrines & Covenants 58:2-4: “For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

“Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

“For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.”

More than the progressive opportunities offered for him in the material world, he enjoys even best performing his humble temporal employment with honesty and sincerity and dedication to duty, while at the same time laying for an offering the rest of his time, talents and means before the sacred altar of the Lord Jesus Christ as his humble expression of his love of living a consecrated life.

MY ETERNAL COMPANION

by: Norberto Betita

Letty as she is now---a grandmother of ten

In my married life, I have committed myself to always have my heart turned to the woman right beside me each day---my ever dearest Letty. From the very beginning of our marital and parental partnership and all throughout those long years of our companionship, I understood best that she should always be the first in my life. All throughout my life I have committed myself to honor the new and everlasting covenant of marriage we entered into in the House of the Lord, with an overpowering promise of complete fidelity, to love and to cherish, to keep and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, for time and all eternity.

We were bound as one and we are in a journey towards a common destination---eternity. In mortality we are blessed with the sacred trust of having children with us. But each of them had grown to maturity and all will eventually separate from us to experience and workout their respective mortal probation. But we as husband and wife, united by a sacred covenant, will remain together in love and harmony until we are called upon to cross the threshold between mortality and the spirit world. In due time of the Lord, when I will be appointed to traverse that boundary of no return, my dear Letty will become my eternal companion. It might not be possible for us to slip together at the same time on the other side of the veil, but whoever will receive the first appointment, will soon wait at the portals of paradise to meet each other in a grand eternal reunion. 

Letty in her middle age

If I have to account for what I will have after this mortal probation is completed, I need to make sure that while yet in this life I must see to it that all of my family are accounted for in active service and duty in the earthly kingdom of God, and taking the safe spiritual route---the covenant path. I can only do it in intimate partnership and absolute vow to honor our marital covenants and to have the Lord Jesus Christ at the center of our personal and family life. President Russel M. Nelson said: “Jesus Christ teaches the way back to our eternal home. He understands our Heavenly Father’s plan of eternal progression better than any of us. After all, He is the keystone of it all. He is our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Savior.

“In truth, the Savior Himself has made it abundantly clear that while His Resurrection assures that every person who ever lived will indeed be resurrected and live forever, much more is required if we want to have the high privilege of exaltation. Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter” (President Russel M. Nelson, Come Follow Me, General Conference, April 2019).

Letty as a young mother

If I should have the assurance of also having my children and my children’s children and the rest of my posterity to be accounted for in the paradise of God and prepare for the fullness of joy in the glorious celestial kingdom, then I need to prepare them while yet in this time of probation---“the time for men to prepare to meet God” (see Alma 34:32). It is for this reason that I am turning my heart to my wife and covenant with her for time and all eternity for us to be able to bring our family together into the exalted celestial realms and live forever.

As sure as she is to be my eternal companion, I tried to be just as sincere and loyal to her while yet in this probationary state of our eternal journey. I had poured out all my love and affection to her as we face together the necessary trials that are required of us to prove our faithfulness and endure well the race. We together walk hand in hand as we bridge the wide expanse and long stretch of challenges that are along the way. It was such an obstacle-filled marital marathon of forty five (45) years. 

While the influence and eloquence of time are till essentially available, I tried to recompense for the few unaccounted sloppy relationship encounters during those extended span of our spousal partnership, attributed to the many struggles we face. I am thus giving my utmost commitment to daily express my love and affection, with devotion and tenderness, as we now walk the alley and share the space reserved for those with faltering feet, feeble knees and hands now hard to grasp. With my few remaining catch up time, I wish to raise the warmth of my loving embrace and affectionate piety for her, like the glitter of the May sunbeam, which triggers the sweltering heat of summer, giving vivid radiance to the world’s celebration of Mother’s Day.

Having the mantle of motherhood is the most transcendent heavenly blessing that a woman is bestowed. She is endowed with the godly privilege and power of being a co-creator with God, by giving life to His spirit sons and daughters. No other being is granted such a sublime benediction and divine approbation. Of such, I am most honored to have my dearest Letty as the mother of my children and grandmother of my growing posterity. 

In expressions of my deepest and heartfelt gratitude to my eternally beloved Letty, I had since written my innermost feelings of reverence and respect; love and devotion; fondness and affection for her as a chronicle for our children and posterity to read upon. It is my wish that the narratives of her life will serve as a beacon of an indomitable commitment to motherhood and spousal duties; of an unconquerable spirit in serviced to God and His people through His earthly kingdom; and of an unfaltering faith and testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel.

MY SON-IN-LAW, MY BRANCH PRESIDENT

by: Norberto Betita

While as a father and patriarch of the home I preside over all my family, including my son-in-law Fraodel, which patriarchal duty he honorably respects, he also presides over most of our family as the branch president of a unit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints of which we are members of record except those who are now living away from home. In such sacred calling and responsibility, he is likewise honorably respected by the family.

That's the one good thing about our relationships---at home we as parents are the boss, and our children and grandchildren are under our command for errands. But at church, sometimes parental authority are set aside, and a son in authority---holding the priesthood key--- may command a parent to do an errand for him, by virtue of his divine calling as presiding authority, upon which we are bound by sacred duty to obey.

As a long time active member of the church, my earnest longings has always been for my daughters to be married to worthy priesthood holders, as well as for my only son to be married to a righteous woman. I have always dreamed to have the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness to be channeled and carried on to our coming posterity and for our generations of men to be conferred and ordained to the priesthood forward to an unending chain of divine authority throughout eternity. I truly believe and have a firm testimony and conviction that through the holy priesthood, my family and our coming posterity will be guided through along the path to eternity. I understand that in time the Holy Order of the priesthood will provide further endowments until the full power of godliness is manifest. Therefore, I have faith and confidence that having a worthy priesthood leader in the home strengthens the spiritual foundations that can withstand the wiles of the evil one.

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Fraodel’s ancestry had already raised four generations of actively participating church members and families in our district of the church, since his grandfather was converted in 1975. Fraodel is a returned missionary and one of the third generation of priesthood holders in their family now serving in different capacities in the church. While he might have been challenged in life with the death of her mother when he was 18 years old, he committed himself to serve a full-time mission after finishing his 3-year course in Automotive Technology.

As a father, I posted no objection of him marrying my daughter---Lori Lynne---because I am confident that he will make of a good husband and father. I am looking more of his spiritual potential than his temporal possibilities. I always have the feeling that if he continues to be a faithful priesthood holder, he will always have the ability to provide enough for the needs of his family. In him I see the image of a man and father who can always be trusted to be able to raise his children and the coming posterity towards greater participation in the kingdom of God upon the earth. He has that kind of integrity and honesty that now is seldom found in the public and private square.

To me he is special because he can make everybody in the family laugh. His humor makes everyone enjoy with him. He is apt to admit that he has his own weakness, but he is trying hard to raise the bar of his capabilities as against his inadequacies in life. He may have repented in humility that he did not make enough preparations to be a good provider, but for me, his preparations is one good starting step, up the ladder of success. I believe that for as long as he remains faithful in whatever calling the Lord will give him, by his receiving the mantle of authority, the Lord will eventually and graciously endow him with such power and gifts of wisdom to bless his family. President Thomas S. Monson has this to say: “Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty.” What matters most to me is for him to stay in the covenant path as counseled by the prophets, so that my posterity that comes from his household will be assured a place in the celestial mansions of God.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said, “Excellence does not come easily or quickly---and excellent education does not,…a strong, loving marriage does not, rewarding personal relationships do not. It is simply a truism that nothing very valuable can come without significant sacrifice, effort, and patience on our part.”

My heart turns to him as he continues to magnify his calling in expressions of his personal gratitude and love of God and his commitment to honor the holy priesthood of which he was given a trust of authority and power. I wish he will always take to heart the covenants he made to Heavenly Father when he received the holy priesthood in his life that the promise of “all that [the] Father hath shall be given unto him.” (D & C 84:38.)

I would encourage him to continue to dine with the banquet of truth by seriously studying and deeply pondering the scriptures, and teaching his children of the principles of righteousness that the channel of the Lord’s grace may continually flow in his family life. I guess he understands that it is imperative upon him, as having received a divine calling of presiding a branch of God’s kingdom upon the earth, and holding the keys of authority, “to learn his duty and to act in the office of which he is appointed in all diligence,” for “he that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty, and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand, even so…” (D & C 107:99-100.) It is by knowing and acting upon the mantle of authority placed upon him that he may be able to harness the power attendant to the Holy Order of the priesthood in a presidency.

The journey he has to take with his beloved wife---Lori Lynne---and sons---Travis and Trevor---is still far and long. Their mortal race is still a lingering stretch into the broadened future. More doors of opportunities are yet to be opened for him, but the battle against mounting challenges which are common to every generation will also rage. It is therefore of paramount importance that he should keep up with the increasing trials of the changing times.

Perhaps, there is no better counsel I can give him than “OBEDIENCE,” it being the “first law of heaven.” It is by such that blessings, both temporal and spiritual, are promised. Elder L. Tom Perry said, “The world changes constantly and dramatically, but God, His commandments, and promised blessings do not change. They are immutable and unchanging.”

“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

“And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D & C 130:20-21.)

He needs to recognize the fact that life is not going to be easy as the race accelerates further on. There will surge more trials and tribulations, but God will continue to provide assistance and better opportunities as he seeks for help, knock upon His door and ask of Him. Earthly wealth and riches is not always the measure of success. The riches of eternity leads to ultimate glory.

I will always cherish the thought that Fraodel is a very willing errand boy for us, his parents-in-law, of petty things that we could no longer do for ourselves being subjected to the bleak realities of physical limitations consequent of aging. From the bottom of my heart, I hope and pray that he will be able to persistently pursue his eternal goals for him and his family by his continued efforts to honor his priesthood and magnify his callings, and being ever mindful of his temple covenants.

Between me and my son-in-law, my branch president, whom I truly respect, lies an eternal relationship that will connect us together in the hereafter. All I wish is for that eternal link to remain vibrantly alive even when I shall be summoned to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” and until I am finally appointed to cross the threshold into the realms of eternity.

SEMINARY AND INSTITUTE: KEEPING PACE IN QUEST FOR SECULAR AND SPIRITUAL LEARNING

By: Norberto Betita 

KayAn's Seminary Diploma

My Granddaughter KayAn Betita Palma graduated from her Senior High School with High Honors, awarded with a certificate and medal. She was also awarded a Governor Sol Matugas’ medal for Academic Excellence, for the Province of Surigao del Norte. The Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, likewise acknowledged her accomplishments with a Medal of Excellence and Certificate of Recognition. And the SNNHS Radiant Hilltop awarded her with a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Performance in Campus Journalism as Editor-in-Chief.

Apart from her high school graduation, she also graduated from her four-year course in the Seminary and Institute of Religion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our foster daughter---Angelica Orillan---who will be graduating from college this school year, also graduated from the four-year Institute course

KayAn receiving her Seminary Diploma

The quest for education and learning is such a vitally important outlook in the life of young men and young women. It becomes even more valuable when coupled with a diligent search for spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The pursuit of secular knowledge is preparatory to one’s engagement in the competitive economic world and temporal self-reliance. While spiritual education is the study of the divine truths of God and scripture mastery to help shape one’s eternal destiny. 

Young men and young women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are encouraged to attend and enroll in the Seminary and Institute Program that covers doctrinal instructions and spiritual tutorings through the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History, and other elective subjects in a four-year course of study. Although it is not compulsory, families are enjoined to foster enthusiasm upon their youths to register in the Seminary and Institute Program as a paramount priority. “Spiritual learning takes precedence. The secular without the foundation of the spiritual is … like the foam upon the milk, the fleeting shadow. … One need not choose between the two … for there is opportunity to get both simultaneously” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982, p. 390 as quoted by Richard G. Scott, Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, General Conference, October 1993.) 

Angelica receiving her Insitute Diploma

By the same principle of spiritual preeminence, when my youngest daughter---Shauna Megan---informed me that she may not be able to graduate from her institute course of study because of her amplified and intensified efforts to finally qualify for honors at the University of the Philippines-Cebu, I told her candidly to forget about the honors and make sure to graduate from the institute. She did graduate from the Institute and also graduated cum laude from her college course. In high school, she graduated valedictorian and also finished her seminary the same year.

In the family, we encouraged our children and grandchildren to enroll in the Seminary and Institute Program of the Church. The knowledge of the gospel they gained in their search for spiritual learning did allow them to grow in knowledge and wisdom of the things of God. Such that our children are better prepared to serve in different capacities in the church.

KayAn, our eldest granddaughter, was the first to follow the path of her uncle and aunts, in so far as taking seminary and high school education simultaneously. Her sister will now be on her third year in the seminary and her brother will start this school year. Keeping pace in quest for secular and spiritual learning was such a heavy load, but never a brain draining educational endeavor. By the fact that, “The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. …because they are spiritually discerned” (see 1 Cor. 2:11, 14), as the Spirit of God---the source of all knowledge---influences the mind, it expands its understanding and learning ability not only on spiritual things, but also on matters of secular interest.

Spencer W. Kimaball taught: “The treasures of both secular and spiritual knowledge are hidden ones—but hidden from those who do not properly search and strive to find them. … Spiritual knowledge is not available merely for the asking; even prayers are not enough. It takes persistence and dedication of one’s life. … Of all treasures of knowledge, the most vital is the knowledge of God” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 389–90, as quoted by Richard G. Scott, Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, General Conference, October 1993.) 

Seminary and Institute Batch 2019

Indeed, it is fundamentally significant that our children should be encouraged to search for learning and education both on their secular pursuits and search for spiritual truths. They should be nurtured to develop a deep interest in gaining knowledge and wisdom of these blended subjects. By their commitment and perseverance they will get the promise which the Lord laid upon those who desire, with real intent, to understand God’s dealings upon the earth and in heaven. He declared: “And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.

“Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.

“And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.

“For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man” (D & C 76:7-10).

In the same vein, the Lord provides a reassuring promise that, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

“And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come” (D & C 130:18-19).

The vulnerability of youth as regards the enticements of evil influences that surrounds them daily in the school environment, can be safeguarded as they devote part of their time in studying the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Seminary and Institute Program of the church provides such spiritual protection as for the adversary to faint and therefore lose the power to drag them down to hell. Thus, while keeping pace in quest for secular and spiritual learning can be truly an additional cargo in the youths’ educational backpacks, yet it provides them with an even stronger sustaining power to bear the load with ease. It likewise provides added wisdom and understanding into the brain power, through the Spirit of God, which is the ultimate provider of knowledge, as for them to intelligently excel in their educational pursuits.

Although I was already married with one child when I joined the church, I still enrolled in the Seminary and attended classes with the youths of the church and eventually graduated. I, together with my wife, also graduated from the institute program. I bear witness that the strength that sustained us as a family in our journey on the covenant path and our spiritual maturity, were initiated through our earlier diligent participation in the Seminary and Institute Program and further nurtured by our dedication and service in God’s Kingdom. Hence, it is my wish that this spiritual learning tradition will continue uninterruptedly in my family and posterity though all generations of time.

FORTRESS OF SPIRITUALITY AND MATERNAL DEVOTION

By: Norberto Betita

The forces of evil and darkness with their cunning craftiness and malicious design to thwart the grand purposes of God for His children, continue to wage war within each individual soul. Satan knows from the very beginning that even if he is to unleash his horrific fiery darts against the forces of righteousness and truth, he is not going to win in this great battle between good and evil. But he wanted at least to bring as many souls as he could win with him as he will soon “be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (see Revelation 20:10.) He knows his horrendous destiny is not far distant and his time is becoming shorter.

His egregious but subtle tactic of deception may have lured many into carnal security and decoyed some more into an entrapment that destroys the home and family. However, such can only be a temporary victory, for as the hand of the Almighty stretches out to His sons and daughters who may have been subjected to the alluring bait of the evil one, they are guided back into the sure path of spiritual safety and protection as they willingly repent of their evil deeds. Nevertheless, Satan, under no circumstances intends to surrender his fight while his time allocation on earth is still open. 

As the fight rages on, I am brought to remembrance of that fateful and tragic event sometime in June 2013 involving the family of my eldest child and daughter---Hazel. Such a sad memory should have been plunked and dumped into the trash bin of oblivion and forgetfulness. However, as I tried to turn my heart to one of the princesses in my family kingdom, at this time of my final rehearsal and run through before I yield to the imminent call for me to finally enter the portals of the world of waiting spirits, I am brought back to the heartbreaking and mindboggling encounters that my daughter and her children had gone through. 

I look back to this past unfortunate ill-fated historical episode in the family life of Hazel and his children, not to blame or recount the faults or identify which party was in transgression. I bring back the memory of this disconsolate chapter of her life because I see a very significant lesson to learn from such miserable experiences, not only for my family but to all who might have the opportunity to read my account.

The sad segment of this awkward tale conveys and enlightens us of the effects of pride, unkindness, dishonesty, discontent, disappointment; even of ease and comfort. It tells of children’s frustrations and displeasures; of unhappiness and dissatisfaction; of discord and disharmony; of dissention and protest; of sadness and gloom. It engenders childhood anger and rebellion that take time to mend and subdue and mellow. It inflicts upon their tender minds and delicate hearts the saddest reality of being turned between two central figures of their lives for which choice is never to be an option. It was such a tearful and hateful experience that diminishes love while propagating disgust in the depths of the heart and soul. In the core of its inception, “It inevitably represents a painful loss of association and, particularly in the young a crushing blow to the dreams unrealized, ambitions unfulfilled, and hopes vanquished.” (President Thomas S. Monson, He Is Risen, General Conference, April 2010.) Hence, pain and sorrow are even intensified as each heart were bruised by the impact of estrangement and separation.

To the mother it was a time of reckoning how much tears were drawn out from her weary eyes; how many useful pounds and nutrition from her physical body were deprived for lactation to feed her estranged newborn; how anger was kindled deep into her aching heart; how compassion and empathy for herself and her children swelled in depths of grief and sorrow; how the venom of animosity and hatred leaped like a horrible sore. The inner bruising that continued to inflict sadness and hopelessness, and solitude and isolation, correspondingly resembled, “The spent candle in the window ledge [that] told of the fruitless vigil.” (Thomas S. Monson, He is Risen, General conference, April 2010.)

Legal remedies were considered and sought. However, I counseled for no better solution than to let the wounds heal itself and allow legal resolutions to find its own way. Rather than impose undue vexation and displeasure upon the children by sanctioning them to appear in court; give them instead the privilege to find their own antidote towards healing; and allow the scar to remain as the dividing line and a bridge for the children to cross the divide, while maintaining parent-child relationship that holds no barrier, despite the chasm. As a family, we committed to provide healing water to their parched family landscape.

As Hazel changed gear from worldly solution to divine healing and shift to focus on her sacred role of motherhood, the earlier dawn of hopelessness, eventually captured a positive outlook and a wide view of a verdant panorama. She started to take time to create a fortress of spirituality and maternal devotion and love as her rallying point to protect her children from recurrent evil assaults and unrelenting adversities. Her combined roles as mother and part provider was to her a heavy burden, but she suffered it all. The parental discipline which she did alone with patience and perseverance since those long and lonely nights of estrangement, did guide the children in righteousness and virtue, and earlier scholastic achievements in preparation for their greater academic battles ahead of them; a virtual manifestation of God’s redeeming love and mercy. 

 

Indeed, the pains of a broken heart did eventually heal by the passing of God’s own time. Sadness, sorrow and grief now turned to joy and gladness. Bitterness and animosity found a graceful exit from the portals of the hearts and soon petered out. Solitude and loneliness discovered pleasant and enjoyable therapeutics through maternal devotion to her children and service in the church, and temple attendance. Counteractive parent-child open channel of communication ebbed childhood anger and rebellion and gradually erased all feelings of deep resentments. The dehydrated family garden is now watered with regular paternal support. While the scar remains to be a dividing border, a gate was open for the children to find parental love, guidance and support from each side of the boundary.

It’s been almost six years since and I learned some profound lessons that even in the darkest abyss, there is provided a light of hope; in the depths of despair and dejection, there is a quelling antidote of peace, joy, and contentment; in the gravity of pain, there is a healing balm; in the deepness of emotional wounds, there is a restorative remedy for the scars; in the long family battle against Satan’s cohorts, there is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and His ever extended hands of grace, mercy and love.

Satan may have succeeded to dismantle loyalties in a marital covenant, but he will never, in any way, even in his strongest offensive, be ever successful in defeating the purposes upon which the family was organized and established in mortality, for as long as the remaining family members remain true and faithful to their covenants. They will not be deprived of the birthrights and blessings which the faithful sons and daughters of Heavenly Father are divinely privileged through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

However, Hazel should not be complacent about the present favorable state of the family, but instead consider the words of the apostle Peter who cautioned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8.) The devil’s virulent attacks are refined and clever. His arrows of temptations are released when we are off guard. Consequently, Nephi warned: “And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. (2 Nephi 28:21.) Of such, Pres. Thomas S. Monson said, “We live far below our divine possibilities. Some become confused by materialism, entangled by sin, and lost among the passing parade of humanity.” 

Therefore, while the devil is sneaking to catch his targeted prey, Hazel, as now a single mother, should beforehand establish fortress of spirituality, coupled with maternal devotion as protection against the abominable infiltration by Satan’s influence in the home. Together, she and her children should always be on the alert in detecting and recognizing the devil’s irresistible trap.

The divine healing that results from Hazel’s submission to the power in yonder heavens, through her love and faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, was to me an undimming wonder. The children are now growing fast and are in best relations with both their parents, notwithstanding the ill effects of estrangement. Such should have been a different story if mortal resolves were taken as prescriptions to mend the emotional scars. 

At 44, Hazel, the eldest of my princesses, is now physically a single mother, although still legally married. She’s now moved beyond the shadows of the past, looking forward with striking optimism to the promises of a delightful future for her and her children. While in the beginning weight loss symbolizes sorrow, disappointment and despair; it is now replaced with chubbiness, a representation of a reviving appetite stirred by freedom from the bondage of an abysmal bygone days, which excess weight for her has now become a serious concern even a challenge much harder to overcome.

In this her 44th birthday, I leave for my dearly beloved daughter---Hazel---the same advise as the prophet of God, even President Thomas S. Monson, has counseled: “The past is behind---learn from it. The future is ahead---prepare for it. The present is here---live in it.” (President Thomas S. Monson, Go For It, General Conference, April 1989.) That she may do so is my ardent paternal wish and prayer.

SCHOOL HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS: THE MEASURE OF FUTURE POTENTIALS

By: Norberto Betita

Education is the common fundamental quest of every living soul. Whether it be only about learning to read and write or do simple arithmetic, such in itself is a journey to knowledge and wisdom. The academic mission and vision of every individual, provide the keys that will open the numberless doors of opportunities that are ever present in the world of professions and careers.

As early as in age of preadolescence, the young children and juveniles are being prepared to face the challenges of future endless and bitter competition attendant to everybody’s chase for personal economic growth and development. The early pursuit of foundational education and learning then becomes their bridge to cross the mire and deep valleys, and to climb the towering canyon of youthful possibilities to the zenith of attainment.

Even before standing on the actual celebrated competitive platform, children and youth are already being impelled and indulged in insidiously undermining attitude to compete for school honors and recognitions. We need to understand that introductory education and learning is not about honors; it is more about the measure of future potentials. The honors and recognitions awarded to students are therefore expected to disclose the accurate and precise assessment and appraisal of individual accomplishments which accordingly will help them determine what they can and should be. As such, the focus of motivation should be more on their outlook and sensitivity towards their studies and expanding their knowledge and wisdom as a groundwork for future advancement. As they develop the right attitudes and preferences to do what are required of them, they will soon be acknowledged and recognized with honors. The inspired counsel of the wise King Solomon is instructive: “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not;…

“Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

“Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. (Proverbs 4:5-8.)

Calvin Coolidge once said, “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gives.” This is true even in the studies of our children. The honors and awards that they received represent the rightful acknowledgement and in fact the very result of the relentless efforts and struggle, they give, to follow their dreams. The recognitions become the window upon which they can look up to the future with better perspective.

The degree of their accomplishments as thus acknowledged in the report cards and with accompanying certificates of honors and recognitions, will help the children know where their efforts have gone and measure up how they are doing. It will then guide them to identify where they can put forth more sweat and tears of determination and hard work in order to even enhance the tapestry of future prospects. By the same measure, they will be made to understand that there is much more they could venture to merit excellence, before they will finally face the real academic battle in college, in preparation for competitive future careers. The Lord counseled, “…seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. (D & C 88:118.) He added: “…study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people. (D & C 90:15.) And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should hasten…to obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion.” (D & C 93:53.)

My granddaughter, Keeshia, grade 10, called her mom before their completion rites crying after hearing the ranking report of their teacher in charge. We explained to her that we are not so much concerned about the honors or rankings. What was important to us was the fact that we knew she was trying her best. However, she expressed her total dismay of the reported ranking, because she knew how much effort and struggle she had put forth in her studies. She insisted that there must be something wrong in the evaluation. While she finally mellowed about her grievance, her mother, however, decided to meet with the teacher and it was found that there was an unintended encoding error of the grades in the final report. It was thus corrected and the ranking changed. At length, her actual standing had given her the personal propriety she deserved, and provided her the idea where her limits and prospects are as she moves to her senior high school.

Indeed, as in the words of the legendary Aristotle, “Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.”

Therefore, while we congratulate those who were awarded honors for job well done, we should likewise wish that all those who did not receive the honors will eventually become successful in their future professional pursuits. After all each are deserving of the efforts, time and diligence they have invested in their studies, although others are still trying to recognize and be uplifted by the fact, as did Thomas Edison, that “The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

For this school year 2018-2019, I would like to congratulate my grandchildren for having achieved what they deserved: 

KayAn B. Palma – Senior High School Graduation – With High Honors - certificate and medals; Governor Sol Matugas, Province of Surigao del Norte, Academic Excellence Award - medal; Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, Medal of Excellence and Certificate of Recognition; SNNHS Radiant Hilltop, Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Performance in Campus Journalism as Editor-in-Chief. 

Keeshia B. Palma – Grade 10, Junior High School Completion – With High Honors 

Craig Kirby B. Palma – Grade 7 – With Honors 

Rulon Asher G. Betita – Grade 7 – With Honors 

Jeliene Zaffera B. Pedrosa – Grade 3 - 89% GPA 

Travis B. Preciosa – Grade 1 – With Honors 

Cian Oliver B. Palma – Kindergarten – With Honors 

Zaina Viveca B. Pedrosa – Nursery - Achiever Award; Performing Artist Award; Striver Award; Polite Award; Diligent Award 

Rohan Ashlei G. Betita – Nursery -Most Friendly, Most Cooperative  

Trevor B. Preciosa - 2-year-old - home-based nursery - Terrible Twos Award

Time after time, I have always persuaded and influenced my grandchildren to give diligent attention and mindfulness in their quest for knowledge and wisdom, for such is the only way they can be best prepared to face the ever increasing challenges ahead. I know their potentials can even be magnified according to the dedication and persistence that they invest in their efforts to excel. Helmut Schmidt (1918-2015), a world renowned author and statesman, said: “The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.”

It has always been my wish that my grandchildren and the rest of my posterity will come to understand that the early pursuit of education and learning does not in any way drain and deplete the brainpower. It is, in fact, the influence and strength that exponentially elevate the mind to greater knowledge and wisdom. It is in this earlier steps up the ladder of success that one gets ahead.

I am grateful that as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they were given and will be given the gift of the Holy Ghost, from the source of all knowledge, even God, for them as a guide in their journey. They are and will be privileged to understand the many spiritual gifts that are available, most common of which are the gift of faith, without which, there can be no other gift to be given; the gift of knowledge in which the Lord wants us to learn “Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are…; things which are at home, things which are abroad… and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms (see D&C 88:78–79);” and the gift of wisdom, which is the competence to utilize knowledge for good, upon which the Lord gives us the challenge when he said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

“For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (James 1:5–7).

Although God is definitely the source of all knowledge and wisdom, yet He is leaving it up to his children, which field of knowledge, which branch of learning they would want to experience and pursue and how much talent they would want to receive abundantly from Him, then ask Him in faith for guidance through the gift of the Holy Ghost. He does and will give us knowledge of things that we need in our day to day living.

The Lord said, “Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you” (D&C 6:7). And in revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith, he said, “If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come” (D&C 130:19).

I wish to remind my grandchildren of these inspired words and phrases which are in the For the Strength of Youth Booklet: “Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for yourself. Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct your life is one of God’s greatest gifts to you.

“While you are free to choose your course of action, you are not free to choose the consequences. Whether for good or bad, consequences follow as a natural result of the choices you make. Some sinful behavior may bring temporary, worldly pleasure, but such choices delay your progress and lead to heartache and misery. Righteous choices lead to lasting happiness and eternal life. Remember, true freedom comes from using your agency to choose obedience; loss of freedom comes from choosing disobedience.” (For the Strength of Youth, Agency and Accountability.)

“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:18.)

“Education is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan to help you become more like Him. He wants you to educate your mind and to develop your skills and talents, your power to act well in your responsibilities, and your capacity to appreciate life. The education you gain will be valuable to you during mortality and in the life to come.

“Education is an investment that brings great rewards and will open the doors of opportunity that may otherwise be closed to you.

“Your education should include spiritual learning. Study the scriptures and the words of the latter-day prophets. Participate in seminary and institute. Continue throughout your life to learn about Heavenly Father’s plan. This spiritual learning will help you find answers to the challenges of life and will invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost.” (For The Strength of Youth, Education.)

My dearly beloved grandchildren, you have just received the measure of your future potentials. It’s only you who knew whether it’s already the highest point of your possibilities. It’s only between you and your inner self who knew whether the energy and dedication you have given in your studies and what you have accomplished are deserving of the talents and power which you are so abundantly blessed. It is a battle within that you need to continue to consider with deeper introspection and to win. She was only 14 when Louisa May Alcott wrote:

A little kingdom I possess,
Where thoughts and feelings dwell,
And very hard I find the task
Of governing it well; …

I do not ask for any crown
But that which all may win,
Nor seek to conquer any world
Except the one within.
(As quoted by Boyd K. Packer OCTOBER 1999 | The Spirit of Revelation.) 

I know you each have a higher level of potentials than what you have shown during the past years of your early educational journey and youthful life. Take time to effectively harness your aptitudes and gifts of intelligence with serious propensity and aspirations to excel. The doors of improvement are ever open for you to enter with superior enthusiasm as you choose.  Your creativity and liberal thinking are still waiting for cultivation and fostering. Let virtue and perseverance be your compass as you try to cross the boisterous seas of life on to the blissful shore. I know you can do better than you best. The future is yours to make or mar.