TRAILING HER JOURNEY TO ETERNITY

by: Norberto Betita

Karen Myl-the teacher

It was in The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints as a young convert that she learned about the great eternal plan of happiness which God designed for His spirit children. She treasured the teachings she learned in the primary. She often boldly testified of the wonderful legacies that her teachers in the primary organization of the church has bestowed upon her childhood life. She loved to share her delightful impressions about her young women experiences. She held dear the wonderful camaraderie she shared with her fellow young women and her young women teachers. She prized the lessons she learned in youth Sunday school classes and in the Seminary more than her secular learning. She understood many of the truths of life while young and with some seed of faith she trailed the path of truth in her journey to eternity even at a young age. 

Notwithstanding the early pressures of youthful life, KAREN MYL REYNA ALINSUNOD did not waiver in her spiritual commitments, but remained an avid advocate of truth and virtue. She lived a life that exemplified a true Latter-Day Saint young woman. Despite earlier family challenges she remained true to the faith and immovable in her convictions to hold on to her eternal journey. While in high school she served as youth Sunday school teacher, then as a new member class teacher, and at the same time served as a branch missionary helping full-time missionaries in finding and inviting people to come unto Christ. She is a defender of truth notwithstanding her yet immature and tender mind. Walking beside her was the mother who gave her earth life and who from infancy had been her guide into the path she faithfully trudged leading to her eternal goals. 

While young with her family

Obtaining the highest education possible was a tradition of her maternal ancestry. Her maternal grandmother was a public school principal. Two of her uncles are lawyers. Her mother earned a degree in teaching and a Master of Education and now served as District Supervisor in a public school. Both her two elder brothers were college graduates. She chose to follow the career path that her grandmother and her mother pursued. Qualifying for a Commission on Higher Education scholarship she then enrolled for a teaching course. She combined her college studies with faithful obedience to God’s laws and service in the church. While in college she was called to serve as Primary President, presiding over the primary organization of the branch, teaching little children the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. At the same time, she continued her service as a branch missionary. But despite faithfulness and obedience her collegiate life was never free from challenges. For physical reasons which required her to rest and temporarily stop schooling, she lost her scholarship. However, she never waived her faithful perspective and with able parental assistance she eventually graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, major in Science and Health.

With fellow teachers

Immediately after graduation she took and passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers. She then worked as an elementary teacher in a private school to help finance her planned full-time missionary service which had been a meaningful part of her eternal goals. She received her call and served at the Philippines Bacolod Mission of the church as an emissary of Jesus Christ from June 2004 to December 2005. As a missionary she served with diligence, patience and faith. After her mission she returned home with honor. Her eighteen months missionary service opened for her an even magnified vista and deeper understanding of her eternal journey. It may not have been the best years of her life, but it has taught her great lessons of true discipleship and prepared her for a greater and more challenging voyage to the future. Her first time Temple experience in Manila as a missionary added an intensified focus to stay on course along the narrow road to eternity, with clearer vision for a prospective Temple marriage. She committed herself not to settle for less than to be married in the Holy House of God and create a forever family. 

With her student winning a contest

Back into the world of secular life she started finding new avenues to embark into the field of her chosen career to prepare for another lap of her race through life. A wider door of opportunity was opened for her to work as a public school teacher intriguingly in an area nearest her family home and church. To her contemporaries it was a work of administrative bias, but to her it was God’s timing in response to earnest prayers. Her efficiency and effectiveness as a teacher coupled with diligence in attaining scholastic goals and expectations allowed superiors to see her potentials of quality teaching. As a result she was reassigned and accommodated at the best public elementary school in town---the Surigao City Pilot School.

Still demonstrating and proving her worth as a teacher, she was made coach not only in writing and academic competitions but also in sports contests. Upholding her religious values she taught her pupils the morals of consistent and honest academic efforts over and above scholastic marks. She repeatedly taught her students that honesty and hard work should be paramount and valued on top of their quest for higher grades and honors. Throughout her teaching career she is humbled and honored by the achievements that her students attained through her diligent coaching and tutoring. Her attention was once called because her students refused to accept probable answers to questions in a national evaluation examination, yet she stood with dignity in defense of her students and for the reputation and nobility that she wanted the school to uphold. While she hides from the accolades attendant to her accomplishments, yet her sincere efforts and consistent triumphs and successes in academic competitions with her students flaunts and were publicly unveiled. For such she was recognized by her high school Alma Mater by an invitation to be an honored guest speaker during one of their school year recognition and promotional program. 

As honored guest at her High School Alma Mater

Even during her busiest career life she continued to keep in balance her secular and spiritual realities. While pursuing a Master in Education and teaching pupils in public schools, she was also called again as Primary Organization President to preside over the spiritual education of children in the Church. She was called and voluntarily served as Seminary teacher for high school students and also taught the Missionary Preparation class in the Institute Program of the Church. She served as President of the Young Women Organization which gave her the opportunity to guide young women into the paths of righteousness and virtue. She exemplified to them her love of the gospel and her willingness to serve. In return she was more respected not only by the young women but also by the parents. She had served as District Young Single Adults (YSA) representative and on different occasions served as Branch YSA representative, which calling she currently holds. All these voluntary ecclesiastical service and continued obedience to God’s laws kept her right on track of her eternal perspective. 

With young women at church

However, her dream for an eternal marriage appeared aloof. Her probable future eternal partner seemed ever to be unapproachable. She had been in a relationship once, but the man’s spirituality and commitments did not merit a potential eternal partnership. Many of her fellow teachers and friends were wondering about her remaining single. She has so much of the qualities and experiences that are deserving of any man’s choice of a wife and of a future motherhood. Many thought that she must have been very choosy and highly selective. Her beloved mother had a hard time telling her friends that she never looks at a man’s countenance or economic station, but that she just wanted to uphold the standard she hold dear as a church member. Yet she never lost hope. She has the faith that God will never forsake her. She believes that she had done what is expected of her to qualify for such a blessing, but if Heavenly Father wills that she would have to remain single in mortality then let it be. She is willing to wait for God’s timing even if it would mean hanging on until the millennium. She trusted in God’s promise: “… I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:5-6).

With  husband-to-be Joshua Hammond

While she best understood that God has His own reason for delaying or postponing the desired blessings, she believes though that “faith without works is dead.” She needed to postpone her quest for a master’s degree in education to give way for her most cherished spiritual interest---temple marriage. She really wanted to prove God that she has every desire and ever willing to build a family of her own while in mortality, but still it should be in partnership of a worthy man. She thought that if she could not find a covenant man in her own land, then she might as well seek him in a foreign country. She was inspired by the story of Isaac and Rebekah.

Consequently, as an exact opposite to the most popular love story of Isaac and Rebekah in the Old Testament, Karen Myl did not wait for the supposed servants of Isaac’s father Abraham to come. Equipped with the miracle of modern technology she opened an account in the LDS Planet to find her Isaac. She did found the worthy man in the person of Joshua Hammond, who perhaps like Isaac earnestly desired for a worthy woman to wife. Joshua did not also wait for the imaginary servants of father Abraham to go far and find the woman for him, but instead posted his name in the same LDS planet hoping and earnestly praying that his Rebekah will find him. 

With Joshua at Cebu Philippines Temple

As their personal prayers spanned and meet at the crossroads of the realms of heaven, as did the petitions of Rebekah and Isaac, in answer, God connected the link of their common feelings notwithstanding the divides and distances of oceans and seas, continents and mountains, rivers and lakes, like Rebekah’s Mesopotamia and Isaac’s Canaan. Contrary to Isaac’s waiting for Rebekah from the land of Mesopotamia to the fields of Canaan, Joshua instead traveled far from the land of milk and honey to the pearl of the orient seas, and right at the door of the Cebu Philippines Temple kneeled before the waiting Karen Myl and uttered the most awaited four word phrase: “Will you marry me?” To which like Rebekah’s excitement over Isaac, Karen Myl answered Joshua with a resounding “yes.” 

Her family

Karen Myl and Joshua both trusted the Lord and they will soon be joined together in the Billing Montana Temple as husband and wife for time and all eternity. They both knew that the covenant they will be undertaking as they kneel before the holy altar between the mirrors of eternity at the Holy House of God will be a reminder that married life is not all calm, there will be winds and storms; it is not all sunshine, there will be shadows and rains; it is not all abundance, there will be times of deprivations; it is not all joy, there will come sorrows. Yet they understood that along the path of the storm tossed seas of life and down the valley of depressions and despairs there beckon the Lord’s lighthouse to guide the path of the faithful travelers. They believed as did Democritus that, “Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul."

ITFF Coaching Training

With friends at church

The path that Karen Myl plods still requires a long story to tell. Her upcoming temple marriage will be just a beginning of another long chapter of her life’s chronicle. The subsequent episodes of her personal narrative will be enhanced as she begins to walk together side by side with Joshua while trailing her journey to eternity. Her personal history will be a treasure for her family and forthcoming posterity.

SHE'S THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME IN 41 YEARS AND EVER WILL BE

by: Norberto Betita

The alarm rings. I picked up the cellphone and shut the buzzer. I heard my wife asked whether I or she will have to do the cooking. I told her I will do the preparations for our breakfast. Then in tones so sweet to the ears she repeatedly said I love you. I also kept repeating the words. When I was about to wake up, I realized it was our 41st wedding anniversary. I hugged her tightly and told her I’m so sorry for almost forgetting this most memorable and important day, and told her I loved her very much.

Forty one years ago, on January 23, 1974, we were married in a very simple wedding ceremony solemnized at the living room in the home of our town Municipal Mayor followed by a very modest reception of scanty meals at the abode of my parents. Ever since, I had always felt in my heart that my dearest wife Letty was and is the best thing that ever happened to me during those 41 years and ever will be. Of course I treasured those moments when each of our children and our grandchildren, and our foster daughters came into our lives. The joy and gladness that they bring into the family are immeasurable and are deeply kept in the innermost chamber of our hearts. Yet when I contemplate on the incalculable sacrifices which my dearest Letty had to give for all of them and myself included, and the boundless love that she constantly shared and allowed us to feel, I could not help but be encompassed by those undying fondness and devoted affection.

All that she was, all that she is, and all that she will be remains and will ever remain to be the finest cream that glaze and adorn my mortal life. Her eternal love provides strength that lingers to hold the bonds of our marital journey onward to eternity. Her perpetual commitment and chronic enthusiasm to perform her maternal and spousal duty even to the extended family branch is for me an ever powerful tug that holds our family and posterity together in accord with the sealing covenants and promises we received in the Temple. The overpowering faith and defeating humility that she holds dear in life defy every temptation that attempts to dismantle loyalties and disintegrate devotions. Her meekness in adversities and trials is an inspiration which at all times whacks our weary hearts. 

She’s not getting any younger, but her inner beauty that endured imperceptibly through her ageing years dispels the unlikely expressions of her seniority. To me she looks infinitely beautiful even with the facial lines which symbolizes countless hours of marital and family struggles and sacrifices, and service to God and His kingdom. The beauty that emanates from the wonders of eternity and walks from premortality through the veil onwards to her journey to exaltation is still aglow and will stay constant before my very eyes even until the time when tomorrow no longer comes.

How I wish that I should have given her a trickle of queenly comforts and some flood of luxury through those long and weary years of our marital relationship, but providence provides no opportunity despite hard work and immense striving. Gratitude ever fills my heart for the patience and ever determined soul that she has as to endure the rigors of mortality in the midst of scarcities and failings. Her indomitable desire to brave the incomprehensible journey to the shores of exaltation presents an encouraging assurance and positive confidence that this life will ultimately lead us to eternity together with our posterity. 

Each morning as our hands clasped together in daily prayer to the Almighty I always have the warmest feeling of love that ever comes from her heart to mine. As we celebrate our wedding anniversary today I still have the comfortable sensation that resides deep in my heart from the time we make our marital vows that indeed even now, she’s the best thing that ever happened to me in 41 years and ever will be until our mortality ends and still beyond the wonders of eternity. Our celebration remains to be just as it was when we have scanty meals for our wedding reception. However, I am most grateful to Heavenly Father since then and always for assigning to me His marvelous spirit daughter Letty to join with me down the pathway from premortality to exaltation.

ANGELICA: THE JOYS AND MARVELS OF FOSTERING CHILDREN

(Updated Sunday, January 8, 2017)

by: Norberto Betita

Angelica

When my wife became barren by age, God sent for us another trust to care for His spirit child, an angel that came surprisingly at a time when our fifth child and last born was already past eight years old and my wife was aged 49. We have passed the time of waking in the middle of the night changing infant diapers and preparing milk for feeding. Then one day in May 1999 my wife’s niece Annabelle, who once lived with us as a foster daughter, came with an infant of five months---a daughter of another niece. We were informed that her mother was very sick and the family was experiencing a very distressing circumstance. But the child was found to be in good condition. She was the fifth child and was conceived while her mother was long since suffering from an enlargement of the thyroid gland. We were informed that she was named and registered as ANGELICA ORQUIA ORILLAN. By blood the infant was a first degree grandniece of my wife.

While at home with her aunt we supported the infant with her needs. We bought all that is necessary to make her more comfortable. Our children enjoyed her presence. We were all the while thinking that she will be brought back by her aunt to her biological family or to carry with her to Manila where she permanently resides. Then in a week’s time her aunt clandestinely departed leaving behind the child for us to care for. My wife Letty was first enraged at the irresponsible act of her niece, but she was subdued by the realization that before us was a spirit child of God, and she could not do otherwise than to again return to the role of mothering an infant. At night we shared responsibilities of caring for the little child. After a time Letty planned to return the child to her biological parents. It was very difficult for her to care for the child considering that she was a working mother. She thought that perhaps the mother had already recovered from her afflictions. However, considering our knowledge of the family’s difficult situation, I thought otherwise and instead proposed to let the child stay with us. We hired a nanny to care for her during the day while the children were at school and we were at work.

With cousins and the writer

While at times we would communicate with her parents to get the child back if they wanted to, yet they were hesitant perhaps knowing that the child is in good hands. We had been previously fostering two sisters from the child’s maternal family. The first was her twelve year old aunt Rebecca whom we take home immediately after their mother, my wife’s elder sister died of cancer. We cared for her until she graduated from college and served a full-time mission in the Church. She is now a public school teacher and had her own family. Such was to us an accomplishment and a joy beyond measure. The other sister Annabelle also came to us when she was to enter high school. We have plans to send her through college while our own children were still young. But immediately after her high school graduation she instead left for Manila. She was the aunt who left Angelica to us.

In time we intended to file a legal adoption for Angelica. However, when I consulted with a friend who is in-charge for adoption I was informed that it would be difficult for us to qualify because our combined income is small as to merit adding an adopted child to our already large family of five children. Hence, she remained with us as a foster daughter. As she grows older she was ever yearning to be sealed to us as a permanent part of the family for she felt that she really is no different from being a real daughter to us and a true sibling to her foster brother and sisters.

Her Young Womanhood Recognition certificate,
Medallion and chain

Except for conception and child delivery we gave her the experience equal to the way we cared for our own children. As an infant she slept with us at night and we gave her the same love and affection she deserved as a child of God. To all our children she is tenderly and most lovingly considered as their own younger sister. They were all concerned of her welfare and her future. The whole family was truly joyful of her presence. She was a miracle for adding joy and gladness in the family. But like our children, she has her own weaknesses and frailties, yet she is such an obedient child.

She might not have gotten honors at school but I trust that her grade point average of 1.7 (87%) for the first semester of her second year in college was deserving of her honest efforts. She has talents that project a brighter future should she endeavor to honestly work to attain her spiritual and secular goals. As a young woman she is trying her best to be at par with the standards of the church. She is apt at attending church activities. She tried to be qualified for a Young Womanhood Recognition. And she did. She is a good student of the gospel and I found her to have deeper understanding of the scriptures. She has the ability to expound scriptural passages and gospel doctrines. She has been a good student of the Seminary.

With the foster family

Born on January 8, 1999, today is her eighteenth birthday. We may not be able to afford a beautiful debut gown and sumptous celebration for this eventful transition from her youth to an acceptable legal age, but she knows that more than anything else family love and affection is always the best menu that can be served on the celebration table.

She is now in her second year of college. She graduated from the Seminary and is presently in the second year of the Institute program, As a second generation foster daughter we expect her to attain success. As a family we are bound to support her in her journey to the future until she finds the road to victory. She still has a long way to go but with consistency of purpose and with loyalty and total devotion to God we feel confident that she will be able to attain her desired success. Her eighteen years stay with us and our prior experiences of raising and nurturing her two aunts allowed us to really feel the joy and marvel of fostering children.

As she celebrates her birthday today, we express our love and gratitude for having her as part of our family life with hopes and prayers that she will continually be loyal to her commitments, covenants and promises to do good always and to live a life of righteousness.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELICA WITH BEST WISHES FOR AN UP-AND-COMING FUTURE! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!                                             

TO BE FAITHFUL AND FEARLESS

By: Norberto Betita

Our eldest granddaughter KayAn Betita Palma was born on December 9, 2000, the same month when her stillborn elder sister was born on December 31, 1999. She’s kind of a replacement, but she’s not. She is a different child with a different identity. She was conceived of our eldest daughter Hazel under pressures of poverty, yet she was born a bouncing baby in a government hospital. Her infancy was spent under our nest and her childhood was filled with joy and gladness. She was the first born and the first grandchild and she’d got all the love and attention from us---the grandparents and her unmarried uncle and aunts. She was such a lovely little girl.

However, even from her infancy she was not without challenge. She got a lump that grows just below her neck which was later removed. At age three after a bath and while her mother was preparing for her clothes to wear, she jumped and jumped on the bed mattress until she stumbled and her forehead hit the concrete wall resulting to an unwanted injury. She was rushed to the hospital where several stitches have to be applied to close the cut.

She has grown with a dark straight hair and with very fair complexion. As a child she is always neatly dressed, especially when attending church. On her eighth birthday she was baptized and confirmed by her father. Her intellectual ability had been unveiled very early in her childhood. As she started school she had been a consistent honor student. She has the potential to academically excel, yet she has the weakness of being shy which at times hid her from the school limelight for extracurricular activities. In her primary class at church she is one good student of the Gospel. She was very excited when she was admitted into the Young Women Organization at twelve years old. Since then I have always noticed her reading the Book of Mormon and accomplishing her Personal Progress requirements in the church. Her talent in music was first observed when she took piano lessons during their stay in Cagayan de Oro City. From such a short training and even after she stopped practicing, she still has the ability to read the notes from the hymns. She can also play music on a lyre. Recently when we sing hymns for Christmas during our family home evenings she sang the alto extemporaneously following the hymnbook notes.

At age thirteen she felt her life was shattered by an overwhelmingly demoralizing event in her youthful life and that of her family. But she felt safe at the home where she was first nurtured and loved. Being the eldest she knew she has every reason to be true to the faith and fearless of future uncertainties. Her early challenges made her stronger to face the winds of adversities that had come and those that might come into her life. Once her family was given a short taste of affluence, yet at such a young age she understood that it was not doing them so much good. She seemed to understand early the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson that, "Money often costs so much."

Today, December 9, 2015 she turns 15, an ever beautiful and talented young woman. Once in childhood she asked her mother, “Why can’t daddy be with us at church every Sunday?” Now she perfectly knew the reason why and she has been adjusted from the painful events which made her third exodus together with her mother and siblings back into the home of her birth where she always felt safe, protected and loved. Her future is yet unknown but with faith and courage strong the prospects flashes with bright assurance of victory.

Her life story is just beginning and her mortal journey thus far left a record of few laps traversed. She understands that there are even more challenges and adversities yet to come. However, she knew that any defeats, crosses, frustrations and sorrows in this short time of mortality is nothing compared to the promised eternal life and glory in the Celestial mansions of God. This belief stands as the enduring foundation of her reason to be faithful and fearless of the future. She believes that if she remains faithful and true to her covenants, God will be at the helm of her voyage.

Lately she rested by my side and we talked about her plans for the future. She asked me questions about how long will it take to be a pediatrician and how much will it cost. When I told her that it would require a total of ten years, she was astounded. I also explained to her that it is such an expensive course option, but it can lead to a rewarding career. Yet I assured her that should she makes good in her studies there are government universities which offer much cheaper tuition and fees. Then we talked about other alternative courses and how each course may lead her toward better employment opportunities. She asked me about my academic journey. I related to her how difficult it was for me to earn a college degree in Banking and a Master in Business Administration. I apprised her of the accomplishments of her mother, aunts and uncle and how their plans change during their academic journey from high school through college. I told her that it was most important that they earned college degrees in preparation for their future battles with adversity. In the end she told me that may be she will have to pursue a course in accounting.

I am grateful for her willingness to express to me her future plans in life. I encouraged her to hold on to whatever dream she has for the future. As we parted and with a pat on the back I explained that her plans will become the link which will connect her present diligent efforts to excel in her studies to her future achievement and academic victory. I assured her that we as her grandparents, for as long as we are alive, will always be at her support. And should we not live long enough while she is on her journey, her uncle and aunts will sustain her through. Again I reminded her to be faithful and fearless.

Today, we express our deepest love and best wishes to our dearest firstborn granddaughter. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYAN. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH SINCE THEN AND FOREVERMORE. Your family.

THE ECHOES OF ETERNITY: TO MY DEAREST LETTY ON HER 65th BIRTHDAY

By: Norberto G. Betita

The torrential rains of the season were pouring heavily overnight. The drenching showers generated thuds and thumps as it drop on the GI roofing and splashes down into the ground, creating penetrating echoes of splatters inside our room. The chilling breeze of dawn pricked into the unsealed splits of window jalousies and bathes our small room with coldness even intensified by the spinning fan. Of this I was awakened on the dawn of October 30, 2014, my beloved wife’s 65th birthday. I thought it not proper to disturb her deep sleep and instead just offered a prayer especially for her. As my petition and thanksgiving to God became even deeper and sincere, the unrestrained echoes of eternity flashed back before my mind and strike a chord in my heart as to set me in remembrance of that wonderful premortality I shared with the rest of the spirit children of Heavenly Father. I do have faith and conviction that I and Letty where in that premortal existence; “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7)” while gathered in that grand council in Heaven preparatory to our earthly sojourn in accord with the eternal plan of happiness. Then I noticed she was awakened while I was still in my prayer to the Most High. Just after my personal communion with God, I greeted her warmly with kisses of tenderness and firm loving embrace until my emotions broke my eyes in tears. 

As I long since understood the reality of our premortality as sons and daughters of God with divine potential and destiny in plain manifestations revealed through prophets both of old and the present, I have come to better comprehend that the friendship that I and my dear Letty once have which eventually brought us into our marital relationship was just a friendly relationship resumed or restarted. We once lived with God before we come to earth. We were there as Spirit children of Heavenly Father. We were part of “the intelligences that were organized before the world was, and among…the noble and great ones” (Abraham 3:22). We were cared by a magnificent Heavenly Mother in the Family of God. We are literally brothers and sisters. That Heavenly Family was an epitome and prototype of our earthly families. While the memories of pre-earth life were taken from us as we cross the veil of forgetfulness, yet we can know that such relationships were perfect and eternal as to be our model. Therefore, we are bound by the same ideal to perpetuate our earthly family relationships towards perfection and exaltation to live with God forever and ever. 

Thus, having my visions beyond the wonders of eternity, I envisage that perhaps as Letty and I wandered around the spirit world of the pre-mortal existence, we planned together of what we are going to do once our time will come to journey into the earth. We wanted that we will meet again in mortality, that we will be born in a place that is near for us to meet. We planned that we will continue to be submissive and obedient to the will of the Father in mortality---our second state. We desired that we will be joined together in a marriage and that we will have sons and daughters whom the Father might entrust to us. We pledged to perform all the necessary ordinances that are required for us to attain exaltation. We agreed to endure the refining tests that we may have to go through according to the plan of eternal happiness; to prove worthy of the blessings of eternal life back into the presence of our Heavenly Parents. We know, however, that our plans will be quite impossible to attain considering that our premortal awareness and perfect knowledge will all be forgotten as we are required to pass through the veil of forgetfulness, and so live by faith and no longer by sight.

These echoes of eternity remain to be my continued incentive to be always true and loyal to my relationships with my wife and children. As I reflected and pondered this day while in loving embrace with my dearest Letty, I asked her, “What could have been my life without you?” “How should have I endured the mounting hills of challenges; the painful battles with afflictions; the valleys and mires of haunting difficulties and deprivations?” Her reply was simple and honest: “What I am to you is exactly what you are to me. I love you very much.” Indeed, our marriage of 40 years was a ‘growing from grace to grace’, a proving to do all things what the Lord our God shall command us (see Abraham 3:25). Our relationship is far from perfection, but we are striving towards such a lofty end with God at the helm. We endeavor and make every effort to increase in wisdom and faith while in mortality; enduring well is a daily goal. We have faith that as we follow God’s plan we will attain happiness not only in this life, but in the life to come.

Letty and I knew that no matter what, our journey will go on into eternity. If we are worthy we will be able to return to where we came from---the glorified life with Heavenly Father. Our eternal journey leads into an uphill route, and we discover that it becomes even more difficult as we near the summit. Yet the blessings of the Atonement give us the power to endure defeating obstacles along the way. 

As my dearest Letty celebrates her 65th birthday today in an atmosphere of simplicity and family solidarity, I do not tire telling her how much I loved her and how grateful am I to be a part of her life. My deepest appreciations of her abiding love and affectionate devotions to her maternal and spousal duty bestow upon me such an assurance of an enduring relationship into eternity. My everlasting gratitude for her unbounded love and untiring effort to raise and rear our children has always been the substance deep in the chamber of my heart. The introspections of the echoes of eternity make us aware that we are right into the plan of eternal happiness and our journey seemed to correspond and resemble primeval expectations. On this very day I wrote these thoughts especially for her:

“LETECIA”

Joy and gladness your name implies
Your inner beauty our hearts’ delight
That saintly charm ever clear in our eyes
Never at any time demeans eternal flight
A goddess of abundance you’re meant to rise
Yet adversity reflects a life in sight.

Eternity’s your journey’s end
The path you trudge to God destined
Your motherhood was foreordained
A sacred trust your children had been
To you on earth eternal souls assigned
To guide and nurture by God’s design.

For every deed you’ve ever done
The family’s welfare is paramount
Worldly treasures will soon be gone
While eternal riches ever will mount
The worth of children in priority borne
Forever family eternally bound.

In this your birthday I penned these lines
Expressions of gratitude of your duty divine
Of endless love my heart’s inclined
Ever in my soul profoundly unbroken
I love you my dearest even in words unspoken
From echoes of eternity to exaltation refine.

May the wonders and echoes of eternity ever fill the voids of our lives together as we continue to trek the ever demanding race of mortality. May God grant for us added courage and faith to sustain us in our journey to the blissful shores of eternity.

RULON ASHER: AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM OF MY GRANDSON

Best Wishes for Rulon Asher on His 9th Birthday

by: Norberto Betita

When he was about five years old he started to learn about the value of prayer. After one of our family home evenings, the closing prayer was offered by our foster daughter Angelica. In her prayers were sincere petitions to bless each member of the family. He was busy playing something. We thought he was not listening. But after the prayer he complained why Angelica did not include in her prayer to ask Heavenly Father to heal him from coughs and colds that he was then suffering. From him we learned a lesson that even when little children seemed to be just snubbing or not paying attention to our spiritual family activities in the home, yet they are learning.

During our family prayers he would seek the assistance of his father to help him pray when it is his turn. Since then he has started to learn how to pray himself. 

RULON ASHER GARCIA BETITA, our beloved fourth grandson, is now celebrating his 8th birthday and is baptized by his father. His receiving the ordinance reminds me of the day, 26 years ago when I baptized his father. He told us he is very excited about receiving his ordinance of baptism. As a grandfather I am very proud of him to have such a desire at a young age for an ordinance that will give him entrance to the gates of the Celestial Kingdom. After baptism, he will be on his personal trek to his mortal journey into eternity. Of course he will be guided by his mortal parents along the way. While he is blessed with righteous parents, yet his life’s battles will be a personal one. He is now to exercise his moral agency to choose right from wrong. This is where he will start to grow and develop and progress towards his divine destiny. He is the only one that bears my name---BETITA amongst my grandchildren. And I’m confident he will bear that name with honor.

His name Rulon was described thus: “You are a law unto itself. Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You are tolerant and like to help humanity. You are very active. You are generally warmhearted and gives freely of your time, energy, and sympathetic understanding. You have tolerance and acceptance of the frailties of others. Universal and humanitarian in outlook. This is very compassionate name. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.

“Position and social status is very important for you and you are always looking for way to improve your position in society. You have power and ability to choose your own destiny and achieve anything you want in life. You can expand in any direction according to your will and the set of values. You have passion for justice and belong to the position of authority. You have an inherent courage and endurance to accomplish "The Impossible Dream". With the power comes responsibility. You hold keys to the material world, but with this gift comes high spiritual responsibility to be fair and true to others. You are philosophical and mature, determined and intense with a desire to endure, often religious.” (http://www.sevenreflections.com/name/rulon/).

Asher on the other hand means happiness or blessed both in America and in Hebrew. It is well known that Asher is the son of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid and of Jacob in the Old Testament and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel (see Genesis 35:26).

These meanings and descriptions of his names seemed to correspond fittingly even in this his early life. His parents had very hard times getting him to eat good food, but his energy just seemed never exhausted. His generosity is well shown even in his childhood. He doesn’t fight nor retaliate even if stricken by other boys. He is tolerant of others faults. He is a very happy boy. He has that ever yearning desire to create something and to enjoy his boyhood. He is trained to do his assignments by his own and his parents’ role is just to check the accuracy of his work. At times his mother wanted to hire a tutor for him, but his father would rather want him to enjoy his free time after all he only has a short time as a kid to build happy memories with classmates and neighborhood friends. When asked to study for periodical examinations, he would just tell his parents, “Don’t you worry I have stock knowledge.” Such phrase became a mantra in the family circle. He is very much younger than most of his classmates in the third grade. He is not in the honor roll but as a grandfather I observed innate talents in him which I believe will be developed in proper time. 

At home and in church he is such a good boy. However, like all other children he has his own frailties. Too much energy and untiring mobility at times irritates his parents, yet he is ever willing to be corrected. When he knew he is wrong he accepts parental chastisement with tears in his eyes. When he felt reasonably right he confronts with his parents. I love Rulon Asher as much as I love all my grandchildren.

Many times in our conversations with him together with his grandmother he would tell us, and he has repeated it several times, that he wanted to be an engineer so that he could build a beautiful house, and buy a car or two of the latest model so that it will not be difficult for us to go to church. What an impossible dream for a child! Yet I believe it is attainable as he reaches maturity. When his father was about four years old, we had occasional rides in the car of our District President who is a doctor. Then back home he would tell me, “Pa, I would like to be a doctor so that I could buy a car.” Although his interests changed as he grows older, yet that simple childish dream of buying a car probably became his motivation to do better in his quest for learning and education as he reached adolescence. He could have attained his simple childhood dream earlier. However, as his life moved towards responsible maturity, priorities changed as he learned to “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”. But I know that necessary goals for material things will come for the Lord has promised, “and all these things shall be added unto you (see Matthew 6:33).”

I write this personally for Rulon Asher as my life is now in its final stretch. My life might not be long enough to constantly remind him that not only do I believe in the expressive description that his name brings, but I have real faith in his ‘inherent courage and endurance to accomplish the impossible dream’, upon which ‘power comes responsibility’. I do have confidence and profound conviction that one day he will ‘hold keys to the material world’, from which ‘gift comes high spiritual responsibility to be fair and true to others’. When for me tomorrow no longer comes, I will have left no lasting memory for him than this simple reminder that as a child he dreamed an impossible dream and my best wishes as a grandfather together with his grandmother is for him to follow that vision for surely that childhood dream will connect him to the future and doors will eventually open for the physical attainment of his wishes and aspirations.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT BY COMMON CONSENT

by: Norberto G. Betita

Throughout my study of business management in graduate school and in my trainings from management consultants together with my years of actual experience as a bank officer provided me with so much understanding of the structural hierarchy in different types of organizations. Among the leading organizational structures are labelled vertical and horizontal or flat. Both had the concept and idea of collective motivation for subordinates to help attain corporate goals and objectives. Around these types of organizational structures, allocations of roles and accountabilities are centered on the culture prevailing in the corporate pattern. The flow of responsibilities is determined by the kind of hierarchy that is present in the organizational format. Many believed that applicable structures are influenced and established according to the size of the organization. Vertical organizations are generally employed for larger corporate operations where the chain of management comes from the top ranking CEO connecting down the level of middle managers. While the horizontal or flat structure is best applicable for smaller groups wherein the managers handle the day-to-day tasks interacting with customers and front-line personnel. Both have their respective advantages and disadvantages.

In my long years of voluntary service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I have found an even better leadership and management structure that can be most effective not only as it is used in the church, but even in a corporate community. I termed it as Leadership and Management by Common Consent. “And all things shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith…” (D & c 26:2) This management structure however is significantly different from that of the corporate viewpoint considering that its origin is more from an ecclesiastical voluntary organization where workers are generally unpaid. Its goals and purposes are divinely manifested and the ultimate objective is to save souls. Yet its operation is similar to that of a corporate organization where there are appointed leaders and subordinate managers of ecclesiastical units. The same interactions that are present in a corporate organization are also extant in the church.


Prospective leaders in the church are called from all walks of life. They do not even know that they are to be called anytime until they are interviewed for a position. They do not apply for any office in the church; neither do they aspire for any calling of authority. They are appointed and chosen by inspiration or revelation to the person who holds a key to preside. When one is assigned to a position of trust he is not required to submit a resume or to be questioned about his capabilities. All that would be asked of him are his personal worthiness and his willingness and desire to serve. They are informed that the call is from God and it is a beckon of divine stewardship. Elder Bruce R. McConkie 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. 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.)

Once called, the leader is presented before the congregation upon which he is called to preside and his subjects who are the members of the group raised their hands to the square as a solemn manifestation of common consent that they are willing to support and sustain the man or woman whom they have mutual belief as being called of God. Therefore, the accountability of the leader is not to the people but to God who called him.

As in a corporate operation, these church leaders together with the members are called upon to engage, involve and participate in order to attain goals and objectives. They plan, organize and control. They set objectives; they take initiatives and respond to changing situations; they decide and take responsibility for wrong decisions; they persevere; they take positive attitudes and learn from failures; they develop the attitude of positive personal image; they delegate responsibilities; they listen, support and criticize constructively when needed; they undertake prayerful considerations on matters of importance; they persuade, motivate and create enthusiasm among members. All these they do on a part-time basis. In their stewardship accountability they are guided by the principle that, “Men will be held accountable for the things which they have and not for the things they have not. … All the light and intelligence communicated to them from their beneficent creator, whether it is much or little, by the same they in justice will be judged, and … they are required to yield obedience and improve upon that and that only which is given, for man is not to live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Joseph Smith ).

When called upon to lead, these men generally feel that they are inadequate of the responsibilities that they are assigned to do and so become hesitant to respond affirmatively. They understand however that they will be accountable only according to their present capacities and not on the magnitude of their responsibilities. But they know that they are required to obey and improve their capacities as to qualify for the call. They are told, “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.” (D & C 107:99). They know that this is not their work that they are doing, “It is the Lord’s work, and when [they] are on the Lord’s errand, [they] are entitled to the Lord’s help.” They are reminded, “…that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.” (Thomas S. Monson). This means that when one is called to be a Bishop in the church, generally he do not have the required knowledge of the many responsibilities attendant to the office. He is required to do his work only according to the limited capacity that he has at the moment. Then he slowly learns his duty precept upon precept, here a little and there a little as he is provided with the needed help to eventually qualify for the weight of his position. Further this is meant that when one is called to be a clerk he must work to become the best clerk that he can be. If he is to be the quorum president he must strive to measure up to the high calling of leading the brethren in the Priesthood. As he follows these admonitions he increased in knowledge and understanding of the nature of the work and improve his capabilities to do and magnify his calling. In the process he encourages engagement, involvement and participation in the achievement of goals and objectives of the ward.

These leaders and workers are not paid for their labors neither are they “compelled in all things,” but they “anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, [to] bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in them wherein they are agents unto themselves.” (see D & C 58:26-28). They are self-motivated in accepting accountabilities. They knew that to be a good leader they should be a good follower and they take initiative to follow the Lord’s example of ‘Servant-Leadership’. They follow the admonition of Hugh B. Brown when he said, “[we] cannot effectively teach [what we do] not profoundly believe. … Our lives and our teachings must not be at variance.” (Eternal Quest, Bookcraft, 1956, pp. 179, 181.) They sit in council together to discuss goals and actions, and to measure accomplishments. They may have different ideas and opinions on matters affecting the organization, but in the end they unite in a common consensus and support and sustain the decision of the presiding authority. Therefore, their mind-sets are focused on a single path towards accomplishment and achievement of goals. They are taught and they learned that “Authoritarian rule is not the proper rule by which to govern Saints, but rather seek to administer in the spirit of humility, wisdom, and goodness, teaching not so much by theory as practice. Though one teach with the eloquence of an angel, yet one’s good practices, good examples, one’s acts, constantly manifesting wholeheartedness for the interests of the people, teach much more eloquently, much more effectually.” (Lorenzo Snow). It is no wonder that they accomplish much and achieve more.

I tried to incorporate some of these principles in my leadership responsibilities in the corporate setting. I found it to be more efficacious considering that I am dealing with men who are qualified and skilled in their respective positions, are working full-time, and are properly paid for the labors they performed. These are integral motivational means upon which the workers are enthused to function and accomplish. My role then was to utilize suggested leadership principles which I deemed preeminent in establishing an atmosphere of common consent. The response was beneficially and positively evident by the fact that for years I had gained a consistent outstanding performance until I retired.