THE FIGURATIVE SIMILARITY OF COVID-19 AND ISRAELITE SERPENT EXPERIENCE

by: Norberto Betita

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TIME AND ETERNITY---A DREAM TO REMEMBER

By: Norberto Betita

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

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

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

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

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

“…For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect” (D&C 128:15). As it is further written, “…It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children…” (D&C 128:18). 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by: Norberto Betita

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

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

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

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

Cebu Philippines Temple

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Manila Philippines Temple

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

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

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

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

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

FIRST VISION BICENTENNIAL: IN RESPONSE TO THE PROPHET’S INVITATION (Part 3)

MY TESTIMONY OF THE LIVING REALITY OF HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST

by: Norberto Betita

Many people believed in God as a spirit being with the Holy Bible as their basis. Many others even ignore with disrespect God’s existence. Others believe and worship diverse forms of deity. And there are others who absolutely do not believe that there is a God. However, my long serious study of the scriptures provided me with profound knowledge and understanding of God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. I searched and understood these things as a matter of obedience to God’s commandments, to search the scriptures and read, study, ponder and pray about it. But I did not keep back the fact that the divine truth of the living reality of Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, is a matter of spiritual experience in answer to a sincere petition for confirmation of the knowledge gained through dedicated study. It is, therefore, a case of personal revelation and witness through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. As the apostle Paul taught“…no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 12:3), and that “...things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God,“ (1 Cor. 2:11). And the prophet Moroni in The Book of Mormon so declared, “...by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).

I am privileged to have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost through a priesthood ordinance after baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. According to the prophet Joseph Smith, as the third member of the Godhead, “This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge…” (Teachings, pp. 149-151).

The Holy Ghost is a teacher. “…the Holy Ghost,…shall teach [us] all things, and bring all things to [our] remembrance…(John 14:26). And as the “…Spirit of truth…, he will guide [us] into all truth…”(John 16:13). 

My belief in a personal living God is enhanced by my understanding of the many scriptural references which for several years had been the subject of my study. I learned that from the very beginning of life we were created with a body of flesh and bones in the image and likeness of God. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27). “... In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him...” (Genesis 5:1). “... for in the image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:6). Many other scriptures present several logical proofs that we are indeed created and made in the express image and likeness of God. So that if we are the representation of God’s image, which explicitly show our physical body of flesh and bones, then definitely God also has a body of flesh and bones, and if God has a spirit, we also have.

If God is only a Spirit, he should not have been seen by many people. In Genesis 32:30, we read, “And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Exodus 19:11, 17, “...the Lord will come down in the sight of all people upon mount Sinai....And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God.” Exodus 24:9-11, “Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel....And upon the nobles of the Children of Israel, he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.” Exodus 33:11, “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” The preacher in Ecclesiastes even made this clear as he preached about death: “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This separation of body and spirit is only a preliminary part of the eventual resurrection, which the Lord Jesus Christ later accomplished and typify by His own resurrection as the concluding event of His atoning sacrifice.

In the New Testament, most are familiar with the account of Jesus’ resurrection, where it was recorded that He appeared on several occasions to many of His disciples with a body of flesh and bones. The words as recorded in Luke 24:37 say, “But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a Spirit.” They probably are kind of surprised, because a spirit could not have been seen by their natural eyes. In the account recorded by John about the same event it says, “The disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:19-20.)

Though mortal, Jesus carried with Him a Divine attribute of His Father in Heaven. He was born of a mortal woman conceived by the Holy Ghost. Luke 1:35 records, “... The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also the holy things which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” He inherited His mortal powers and weaknesses from His mortal mother, while He inherited His infinite powers from Heavenly Father. He can do all that he wanted. His disciples had witnessed several miracles performed by Him, and every time they are always surprised, because they had been walking with Him as a mortal man, and despite His teachings on the resurrection, they are still unbelieving that He could have that power. He told them, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17-18). Here Jesus explained of His death and eventual resurrection, a prophesied event, which is part of His saving mission.

The disciples of Jesus knew the scripture that is why He had to always remind them. But like most mortals, they are unbelieving. The whole chapter of Luke 24 and those recorded in Matthew, Mark and John as regards the resurrection proves once and for all that Jesus Christ manifested Himself with a body of flesh and bones, to convince the disciples that He is indeed the Christ. When he walks at Emmaus, He went with two men and communed with them, “But their eyes were holden (restrained) that they should not know Him” (Luke 24:16). This he did only that they could not recognize him. He talked with them and even reminded them about the scriptures as regards His resurrection, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). He could not have done this if He was a spirit.

Mary Magdalene wept because she could not find the body of Jesus. “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto Him Rabboni; which is to say Master” (John 20:16). Mary was able to immediately recognize and identify Him because His personality was the same, except that he was already the resurrected Lord. In Luke 24:36, 38-40 it is recorded, “...Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you... And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts. Behold my hands and my feet that it is I myself: handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.” The truth as recorded was very direct, plain and clear to every searching soul. The statement of Jesus to Thomas was also very simple and clear, “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

The same and similar undeviating statements had been recorded perfectly by several of His trusted Apostles. Jesus appeared to his disciples again at the sea of Tiberias, still as a resurrected, glorified being with a body of flesh and bones and even eat fish and honeycomb with them. (see John 21).

The appearances of Jesus Christ to His disciples were not of a mortal body, but a resurrected, purified, glorified body of flesh and bones. He died, and after three days, He was resurrected. In Acts 26:23 we read, “That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” He showed Himself that His disciples should see the “light” of the truth of His prophesied and recorded resurrection. According to the Bible Dictionary, “Resurrection consists in the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided.” This resurrection is to give way for God’s children to dwell in the kingdoms of glory which He has prepared for them in His eternal realms.

These are only a few proofs of the living personality of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, recorded in the Holy Bible. More are even available through modern revelations.

As a Latter-Day Saint, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who believes in modern revelations, I add some scriptural proofs. In 3 Nephi 11 of the Book of Mormon Jesus showed himself to the Nephites and in verses 14-15 he invited the multitude, “Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world. And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.” 

And perhaps the most captivating and persuasive proof is the appearance of Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ in these last days to a boy prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr., in answer to his prayer in the spring of 1820 in a grove of trees, in the township of Palmyra, New York, which eventually brought about the restoration of the true Church of Christ and His Gospel. Then, the vision of the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon recorded in Doctrine & Covenants 76: 22-24: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father...”

These recorded scriptures are living proofs that indeed, Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ are living glorified beings with bodies of flesh and bones. 

We indeed need to search the truth, read and ponder and pray about the scriptures for in them are the riches of eternity. We are assured in John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

My repeated readings, study and ponderings of these scriptures for years had indeed given light and understanding on my belief of a personal living God. However, my personal testimony of the truth of the living reality of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ did not solely come from serious and diligent study, but by the power of the Holy Ghost bearing record of the truth. It is a witness that comes not by the brilliance of the mind or the intelligent understanding of recorded scriptures, but by a silent whisper in the ears of conscience and the profound and penetrating feeling registered and written into the tablet of the heart.

Each of us has our position on matters of our individual beliefs of the personality of God. We have our own valid reasons for believing so, and generally we stand on that basis. And as Paul has stated, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

As I have earlier said, my search for truth is a matter of obedience to God’s commandment to read, ponder and pray. In relation to our obedience in doing right, Elder Robert L. Simpson said: “Whatever stage of motivation we find ourselves in, I think we must eventually reinforce this with our own personal testimony that has been built on a foundation of gospel scholarship and understanding—a testimony which leads us to the life of unselfishness and service, one which finds its highest sanctification in the supreme thought that we are living gospel principles because we desire to glorify his great name.” (“Cast Your Burden upon the Lord,” New Era, Jan. 1977, p. 4.) Accordingly, I bear witness of these eternal truths, in the sacred name of the living Christ.

FIRST VISION BICENTENNIAL: IN RESPONSE TO THE PROPHET’S INVITATION (Part 2)

by: Norberto Betita

MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON 

"Translated by the gift and power of God."--- (Three Witnesses)
"... the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”--- (Joseph Smith, Introduction, The Book of Mormon). 

That I may not be misunderstood in what I have to say, I would like to acquaint the readers about the teachings of the apostle Paul which is as much applicable to us now as it was to the people at Corinth during his time. He wrote: “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:11-14).

I have heard much about heartwarming testimonies of the Book of Mormon by leaders and members during the last more than four decades of my membership in the church. But I uphold the personal witness that had been manifested to me by the Holy Ghost during that formative and earlier search for truth as an earnest investigator of the church; confirmed and strengthened since then and now through in-depth regular study of the book.

My testimony of The Book of Mormon came as an answer to my first personal prayer, after having been taught by the missionaries to read, ponder and pray about it, and accept the challenge of the prophet Moroni to ask God if the book was indeed true.

In weeks since I was first found by the missionaries during that cold mid-December afternoon of 1976, I read and studied the Book of Mormon thoroughly and diligently. As a security investigator, I have much time to read the Book in my room at our barracks. Not only did I read the assigned pages, but the whole of the book. I understood then that it contained principles and doctrines that corresponds with those I learned from the Holy Bible which I have in my barracks room. I eventually grasped the fact that such could not have been written by anybody who is not inspired of God. I began to pick up more religious truths which made me became more interested about my studies of the book. In the depths of my mind I started to think that this must have been truly a message from God to humankind as it has been declared in the Title Page---“Written…also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation. And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” However, each time we had our appointment, I was always sorry to tell the missionaries that I have not as yet prayed about it.

I was raised a Roman Catholic and I only knew memorized prayers, particularly the “Lord’s Prayer.” But here comes the missionaries telling me to offer a personal prayer and to talk to God and ask Him the question whether the Book of Mormon is true. I thought it was ridiculous, yet I continued to read the Book of Mormon and sincerely kept my appointments with more and more questions about the things I read and studied.

Throughout our succeeding meetings, I had been compelled by the missionaries to offer a special prayer personally and to ask Heavenly Father if what they have been teaching to my family are true, and I did, though perhaps not so sincerely. Even with their compelling promise, I did never as yet tried to pray personally while on my own.

At the conclusion of my reading of The Book of Mormon, the last chapter of Moroni, I noted the marked verses again. After reading the last verse, I went back and reread the challenge: “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:4-5).

I thought deeply of the challenge and considered in profound reflection the principles I learned from my study and readings of the book. My mind reaffirmed my understanding that the contents of the book must have come from God. But the challenge was exhorting me to pray for confirmation of the truth through the manifestation of the Holy Ghost.

Never have I known then about manifestations of the Spirit, except that I was told by the missionaries that I would have a burning feeling in my bosom. Nevertheless, I submitted myself to the challenge. Thereupon, in the serenity of my barracks room and in the stillness of an spiritually absorbing hours in the night, I prayed to Heavenly Father in earnestness and with best intentions and real intent to know whether The Book of Mormon is indeed true. I waited for days for the manifestation of the Spirit to come, but I never have any such burning feeling.

Then during our next appointment, sometime in the last week of January 1977, I was again asked by the missionaries the same question whether I believe The Book of Mormon is true. And for the first time in my life, with tears in my eyes and with voice choked with deep emotion and my heart pounding with joy, I bore a solemn testimony to the missionaries, that I know that The Book of Mormon is true. That it taught me things which are beyond my mind to comprehend, but which my heart so clearly and undoubtedly understood.

Shortly thereafter, we were brought into the waters of baptism on February 12, 1977 and thus became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Since then and during those 43 years of membership, I have continually proclaimed my personal undeviating and unshakable testimony and witness that The Book of Mormon is indeed true. It has influenced my personal and family life for good. It has taught me principles which have guided me through my journey in mortality. My continued study of the Book had led me then and now to understand the purpose and meaning of life, the wondrous and convincing promise attendant to the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the life between death and resurrection, the gift of a glorious resurrection, and Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness. 

The Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon declared that the contents of the golden plates “…have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us. Wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true.”

Richard Lloyd Anderson quoted the “feelings [which] remained with the Prophet’s wife near her death, as she retold the experience of the translation period to her son: “I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired. For when acting as his scribe, your father would dictate to me hour after hour; and when returning after meals or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. This was a usual thing for him to do. It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this, and for one so ignorant and unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible.”” (Saints’ Herald 26 (1879):290, “By the Gift and Power of God” By Richard Lloyd Anderson churchofjesuschrist.org).

Then the same author also wrote: “When Cowdery returned to Church membership in 1848 he spoke to an Iowa conference. His words there were recorded by Reuben Miller: “I wrote with my own pen the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet as he translated it by the gift and power of God by means of the Urim and Thummim, or as it is called by that book, holy interpreters. I beheld with my eyes and handled with my hands the gold plates from which it was translated. I also beheld the Interpreters. That book is true. … I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet.”” (“Journal of Reuben Miller,” 21 Oct. 1848; for background see R. L. Anderson, “Reuben Miller, Recorder of Oliver Cowdery’s Reaffirmations,” BYU Studies 8 (1968):277. “By the Gift and Power of God” By Richard Lloyd Anderson churchofjesuschrist.org)

I am in complete accord with what Elder Tad R. Callister had to say about the Book of Mormon: “No one can ever convince me that Joseph Smith at age 23, trying to eke out a living on the edge of the frontier, with only primitive writing skills and no notes in front of him, wrote this historical and doctrinal masterpiece in a single draft in approximately 65 days, let alone in any time frame. It is beyond rational belief.” (Elder Tad R. Callister: The Book of Mormon — man-made or God-given? thechurchnews.com January 19, 2020).

As it is indicated in its title page, “The Book of Mormon” is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ”. I declare with solemn conviction to all the world and bear testimony that it is true by the power of the Holy Ghost. I believe and know of the truthfulness of what the prophet Joseph Smith had said that, “…the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (Introduction, Book of Mormon). I know that it “contains…the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:9, D&C 42:12); that “those who receive it in faith, and work righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life.” (D&C 20:14). 

The Lord warns, however, that, “…those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation” (D&C 20:15). At least, in due time, when I will cross the veil, which I’m sure will no longer be as long a time than those period when I have personally declared with soberness the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, I could stand with clear conscience before the bar of the righteous judge of all, even the Lord Jesus Christ, that I have done my duty to declare my personal witness of the Book of Mormon as the new covenant.

I encourage every honest reader of the Book of Mormon to know for himself or herself by accepting the challenge as recorded in Moroni 10:4-5. I know the Lord will manifest the truth of this marvelous book to every honest searching soul by the power of the Holy Ghost.

FIRST VISION BICENTENNIAL: IN RESPONSE TO THE PROPHET’S INVITATION (Part 1)

By: Norberto Betita

The restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ which commenced with the appearance of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ, in the spring of 1820, to the boy Joseph Smith, known as the First Vision, is now 200 years. As we are about to celebrate the bicentennial of such a very significant event of the restoration, President Russel M. Nelson extended his personal invitation for us, "…to be a major part in sharing the message of the ongoing Restoration of the Savior’s gospel.” He also directed us, “…to begin [our] preparation by reading afresh Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price.” (See the personal letter of President Nelson sent through e-mail of all members).

Acting on such personal invitation from the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, whom I personally sustained as prophet, seer and revelator, and living oracle of God, I am writing my personal testimony of that marvelous chapter in the history of the world. I am immeasurably grateful for having been privileged of actively participating in the work of the ongoing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ during the last 43 years, as a member of the restored church.

My testimony of the First Vision and the Restoration is aligned with my personal testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith and the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, which during those 43 years I have borne witness unequivocally and with solemn conviction countless times, both in my personal writings and in emotional and joyful declarations in church congregations.

At this time of the grand celebration of this magnificent and remarkable episode of church history, I again feel the need to respond to the divine call to, “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places...even until death.” (Mosiah 18:9). I should do it as a solemn and profound duty of a bearer of the Holy Priesthood of God.

MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH

I have to leave behind and break myself free from the incredulity of brilliant critics within the diversity of believers in this modern world and those who are not of my faith. I stand strong on the spirit of prophecy and revelation upon which my own testimony and witness of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith is based, even at this day and time. There are so much logical proofs that are clearly understandable even by such simple man as I am from the history of the prophet. In so far as intellectual prominence is concerned, I am no genius of scriptural records and religious history. My intelligence is far from scholarly. But I am confident in what I have to say for such witness came from the very source of all knowledge and pure intelligence, even from God through the Holy Ghost, which expands my understanding and deepens the profundity of my conscience.

I have studied much about the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith both from the unsympathetic and critical side and from the most earnest of his adherents, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I knew by spiritual manifestations from the Holy Ghost that he indeed lived like a prophet and died like a prophet. This witness of the spirit had been confirmed through decades of study about his life and teachings of the doctrines and principles which to him was revealed as part of the ongoing restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have since testified with boldness and declared with fervent affirmation of such truths.

Logic and reason would enlighten that it would be such a reckless and ridiculous thing to offer one’s life for something that is fictitious or counterfeit assertions. It would be such a crazy bid for a young father, who had so much potentials in life, to bear persecutions almost beyond any man could endure, and to finally lay down his life for the cause he had espoused, if his declarations were false. Yet the Prophet Joseph Smith continued to declare with dignity and honor, and with boldness bore his witness: “...I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true, and while they were persecuting me, reviling me and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision, and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision, I knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it, at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God and come under condemnation.” (Joseph Smith---History 1:25.)

In the midst of his agonizing pain from incarceration at Liberty, in a dungeon jail, worthy only for ruthless criminals, he raised a grieving petition to his Maker, “O God, where art thou and where is the pavilion which covereth thy hiding place. How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?” (D&C 121:1-3). The spiritual undertone of such desperate heavenly communion during those most difficult and defining moments of life, appeared to show that his feelings must have been truly beyond all patience, his faith must have been pushed to the limit, and his ailing soul seemed to have given the impression of raising a flier for surrender. But then he heard God’s penetrating and reassuring answer, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine affliction shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” (D&C 121;7-8.) In such most undesirable and hostile setting, the heavens again opened and revealed to him many more instructions, principles and doctrines, which soon became part of the modern canon of scriptures and which to me, personally, have been a guide and an inspiration during my most trying moments. 

Then his final hours came when he was summoned to Carthage, “to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law,” whereupon he declared with solemnity, prophetic words of his own fate, and face to face with his death, he said, “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me---he was murdered in cold blood.” (D & C 135: 4.)

I believe with the same conviction, as did President George Albert Smith as he bore his testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith, saying, “Many of the benefits and blessings that have come to me have come through that man who gave his life for the gospel of Jesus Christ. There have been some who have belittled him, but I would like to say that those who have done so will be forgotten and their remains will go back to mother earth, if they have not already gone, and the odor of their infamy will never die, while the glory and honor and majesty and courage and fidelity manifested by the Prophet Joseph Smith will attach to his name forever” (Teaching of the Presidents of the Church, George Albert Smith, Chapter 4---The Prophet Joseph Smith, God’s Instrument in Restoring the Truth, lds.org).

Beyond the knowledge I gained from the printed pages of church history, the Holy Scriptures, and the words and phrases written and spoken by millions of those who revered his name, lies the power of personal revelation. It is the spiritual power that binds my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith to all other fundamental beliefs revealed through his instrumentality. These include, my testimony of the Book of Mormon, my testimony of the living reality of God the Father and Jesus Christ, my testimony of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, my testimony of the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His redeeming love and mercy, my testimony of the Holy Ghost, and my testimony of the living Prophets and Apostles, and that God speaks to man even at this time and season. To isolate my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith from these links is like excavating and hauling off the foundations leaving the entire testimony structure to crumble and collapse.

As the church now commemorates the bicentennial of the First Vision, I again declare my testimony of the truthfulness of that sacred event when Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph Smith with the Father declaring, “This is my Beloved Son, hear Him.” (Joseph Smith History 1:17). That in the ongoing process of the restoration, the Angel Moroni appeared to him on several occasions and taught him the things pertaining to “how and in what manner his kingdom was to be conducted in the last days.” (Joseph Smith History 1:54). I knew these events did happen, the Holy Ghost bearing witness to me that it is true. I testify with solemn conviction that Joseph Smith was commissioned by the Lord to restore His church in this last dispensation of the fullness of times. To borrow the words of the prophet, I say, “I knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it, at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God and come under condemnation.” (Ibid).

HER JOURNEY TO SUCCESS

By: Norberto Betita 

Twenty years since Angelica was left by her aunt to stay with us as a 5-month old infant, the sacrifices of nurturing and guiding her along the uninterrupted journey to academic attainment has now come to a glorious realization. The day has finally arrived when at an early age of 20, in May 2019, exactly the same month when she was left to our care, she had attained the heights of her academic goal---graduating from college. She had been conferred a degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSEd) from the Surigao State College of Technology.

She is best informed, however, that the pinnacle of success is yet afar off. Her present achievement is only a key to open any of the innumerable doors of opportunities which are for her reserved as she moves forward on her own. She is not in any way devoid of counsels and directions and coaching on how to run the race and win. Along the path of her journey to success there is always provided warning signs and encouraging motivations to step up and avoid the ever welcoming traffic of worldly amusements.

Her graduation from both Seminary and Institute program of the Church equipped her best with the underlying knowledge of the best principles of success. If she allows those gospel related principles into her quest for personal growth and development, both temporally and spiritually, she is sure to find and open the best door of opportunity to attain her personal goals.

As foster parents we give her the moral agency to lead her own life towards her eternal destination. There are yet many decisions for her to make, many obstacles to overcome and many more battles to fight. But she is best prepared for all these barriers along the road to the desired glorious accomplishments. Her eight years of gospel learning in the Seminary and Institute and her college degree are the best armor and shield as she enters the real competitive arena towards triumph and jubilation. 

              

A call to serve in God’s kingdom, licensure examination, employment, temple marriage, family and other future plans for advancement are choices of priority that may keep her life in balance between the spiritual and temporal pursuits. We are sure though that she understood best the measure of preeminence in each of life’s strivings.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf counseled: “Remember, we are only temporary travelers in this world. Let us not devote our God-given talents and energies solely to setting earthly anchors, but rather let us spend our days growing spiritual wings. For, as sons [and daughters] of the Most High God, we were created to soar unto new horizons...

`”If we devote ourselves to the pursuit of worldly wealth and the glitter of public recognition at the expense of our families and our spiritual growth, we will discover soon enough that we have made a fool’s bargain.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Two Principles for Any Economy, General Conference, October 2009).

Along the path of her journey to success lies roadblocks and confusing crossroads. However, she is not without a sure guide. She is gifted with the Holy Ghost for her to call upon through sincere communion with Heavenly Father to help her know which way to go. Then as her choices are in accord with the inspiration she receives, there is no way she will be led off course or land to the wrong end. She will have her way to her goals lighted as for her to clearly see the grandeur of future achievement.

She needs to understand though that success is not always measured by worldly wealth. Success is representative of the satisfaction and ultimate fulfillment of life’s aspirations. It symbolizes the fruit of a hard and ambitious pursuit amidst the challenges and adversities of life. It is the joy and happiness of choosing the right thing in the face of pervasive alluring temptations to seemingly harmless evil-doings. It is a feeling of amazement for having placed a lifetime of sacred devotion to the work of the Lord and enduring obedience to His commandments. It is to have the feeling of assurance that after obeying the commandments of God and putting aside and walking away from the everyday encounters with the unwanted affairs of mortality and worldly conundrums, there awaits a place with the glory of God’s presence.

Angelica is no stranger to the Lord’s promises: “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.” (D & C 58:2-4).

In her long study of the Gospel, she must have understood that both our spiritual and temporal pursuits are common undertakings of the sons and daughters of God, and it is governed by spiritual laws and commandments. Relevant to her quest for growth and development is her knowledge of the fact, “…that all things unto [God] are spiritual, and not at any time have [God] given unto [us] a law which was temporal…” (see D & C 29:34).

Therefore, her search for career advancement and progression will be subject to the law upon which her choices are governed. The Lord made it clear: “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).

President Russel M. Nelson counseled: “If you really want a certain blessing, you’d better find out what the laws are that govern that blessing and then work on becoming obedient to those laws.” (“The Mission and Ministry of the Savior: A Discussion with Elder Russell M. Nelson,” Ensign, June 2005, 19).

As she now embarks in an opening encounter with her occupational rendezvous, it is our hope that she will continue with her awareness of the truths of life and the many avenues of future possibilities that she has yet to explore and discover. We pray that she will never abandon her first choice of a career and stay on course towards taking the next step up the realization of her dream of becoming a professional teacher. We likewise pray that she will yet contemplate, with prayerful consideration, her prior plans of serving a full-time mission in the Church. However, we always give her the privilege to modify her decisions in life. Our deepest hope is for her not to desert away from the covenant path on her journey to success, neither to leave the race through life and throughout all eternity.

She’s now celebrating her 21st birthday today, January 8, 2020. We wish that her strolling the childish penthouse will soon end and a more responsible and mature perspective will lead her wandering the grownup suite. May she be inspired to look beyond the boundaries of her present, and start to walk her journey to success with faith and courage and better vision towards her eternal destination. May Heavenly Father bless her with the best of health and physical vigor as she marches in cadence on the busy thoroughfare of life’s demanding race.