It has been a really tender experience to be with the people of the Philippines. Known as the Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines is comprised of thousands of islands, its people, some of the most welcoming. Nice to meet you. Thank you.

I just feel this natural love for their kindness and gentleness, their openness. This was the experience of two leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints Relief Society General President Camille Johnson and Primary General President Susan Porter. We need sisters like you that are willing to just roll up their sleeves and make this happen. During a ten-day ministry that took them to three of the country's main islands in meetings with civic leaders and humanitarian outreach. This is a time of year when we talk about the light and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as we contemplate His birth and what a beautiful time to be here in the Philippines. In the cities of Manila and Rojas, the leaders participated in nutritional screenings. The Church recently announced global efforts to improve the health of mothers and their children. It’s an initiative led by the General Relief Society presidency. And on the island province of Capiz, President Porter joined in a service project with Primary children to benefit a school for youth who cannot see or hear. During the week they come and live in this special home where they can receive schooling, but they need to have their own food and clothing and supplies. Each of our Primary children were able to give three bags to each of these children. The Church is also supporting the efforts of local nonprofits such as Rise and Rebuild, whose endeavors include providing healthy meals to school children. The leaders shared some of these humanitarian efforts in a meeting with the country’s vice president, Sarah Zimmerman Duterte. She's very invested as a secretary of education in the education of children starting at age five.

But she recognized that if we do not feed them appropriately, if they don't receive appropriate nutrition in those first five years, we can't catch up. They also met with journalist Samir Gupta to discuss their service in the Church as leaders of the women’s and children’s organizations. One of the blessings of our calling is seeing all the good that is going on in the world. So the Church looks who’s doing good things?

What can we do to help? And the same thing is happening in the field.

They get coverage. They get to be spoken of.

I think we’re trying harder at that. Their ministry was dotted with several devotionals for many of the 850,000 Latter-day Saints in the Philippines. I really like all the messages, especially the one that Sister Johnson said, she said that you can still feel joy regardless of what's happening or not happening in your life. So it's really life changing.

It’s an experience the Church leaders will carry in their hearts for years to come. The Philippines is a land of faith, faith in Jesus Christ. We felt very open. We just felt so free to express our love of the Savior here in this beautiful country. They are a beautiful example of optimism— Optimism that we find in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of the temporal challenges that all of us face.