The Three Brothers in Set of Quadruplets Now Serving Missions
Contributed By Dulce Maria Ruiz Suarez, Church News contributor
The Cepeda Escobedo family a few days before the brothers’ departure on their missions. From left is Ricardo, the eldest child and a returned missionary; Carolina, one of the quadruplets; Fernando; Abigail Cepeda, President Jesús Cepeda, president of the Matamoros Mexico Stake; Jesús Abraham; and Adrián.
Article Highlights
- At age 18, three boys in a set of quadruplets are serving missions.
- Their parents, once concerned, feel the Lord has provided for their family.
- The fourth quadruplet, a daughter, is also considering a mission.
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An article in the Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Texas) on January 14, 1998, reported:
“It's a boy, a boy, a boy, a girl. …
“Brownsville resident Estela Cepeda went into labor early Monday and gave birth to the quadruplets between 4:25 a.m. and 4:29 a.m.”
Fast forward 18 years, and the three boys in that announcement are now serving full-time missions at the same time.
Jesús Abraham, Adrián, and Fernando Cepeda from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, began their missionary training together at the MTC in Provo, Utah, in July of 2016. Their sister, Carolina, is the fourth member of the quadruplets.
Jesús and Abigail Cepeda, the parents of the quads, explain that 18 years ago, when they received the news of a multiple-pregnancy, they were overcome with the fear and concern of the economic aspects and the attention and time that is required when having four children at once.
Fortunately, the Lord provided the means, not only to raise them and educate them, but to arrive at this moment to see the three brothers leaving on missions, they said.
“The basis for raising our children in the gospel is the home,” said President Cepeda, who is serving as president of the Matamoros Mexico Stake. From childhood their children have learned the importance of preparing to serve and the desire to be missionaries, which was increased through attendance at seminary and institute.
Family home evening and keeping the Sabbath day as a family were regular events in the lives of the young people, the third-generation Church members in their family, he added.
The three Elders Cepeda have different physical characteristics and different talents: Jesús Abraham enjoys extreme sports, Adrian likes computer programming, and Fernando leans more toward soccer.
The three brothers are currently serving in the United States in Arkansas, Idaho, and Indiana, respectively.
There is little doubt that the missionary work has gained strength in recent years, with the increase in the number of young Mexicans choosing to serve missions. The siblings are just another example of the Lord hastening the work of salvation in these latter days (see D&C 88:73).
From left to right are Jesús Abraham, Fernando, and Adrián Cepeda. Photo courtesy of the Cepeda family.
The Cepeda family. Photo courtesy of the Cepeda family.
The Cepeda quadruplets. Photo courtesy of the Cepeda family.
The Cepeda quadruplets. Photo courtesy of the Cepeda family.
Elder Fernando Cepeda upon his arrival in the Indiana Indianapolis Mission poses with the mission president and his wife. Photo courtesy of the Cepeda family.
