Elder Bednar: The Miracle of the Philippines Continues

Have you ever witnessed a miracle?

Yes, answered Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at the climax of a historic ten-day tour of the Philippines Area last February 17-26, 2023. “Look here and all throughout the Philippines today,” the senior Church leader declared, “this is a miracle greater than the parting of the Red Sea, and it will continue because of the devotion, the consecration, the faithfulness of the members.”

During an area-wide broadcast streamed from the Aurora Meetinghouse in Quezon City which received nearly 112,000 views, Elder Bednar told Filipino members that the remarkable growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the country is “not about the number of temples… not the about the number of members,” but rather, “about the strength of the faith of the Latter-day Saints.”

Elder Bednar then stated what he had witnessed repeatedly during his visit, the sixth time he had set foot in the country: “You can see and feel that faith is very strong.”

Itinerary and accompanying leaders

Elder Bednar and his wife Sister Susan K. Bednar were joined by members of the Philippines Area presidency: Elder Steven R. Bangerter, Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, and Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr.; and their wives, Sister Susan A. Bangerter, Sister Bon Kyung Choi, and Sister Marie F. Revillo.

Accompanying Elder and Sister Bednar as they traveled were various Area Seventies, including Elder Julius F. Barrientos, Elder Jose Antonio San Gabriel, Elder Tomas S. Merdegia, Elder Martiniano S. Soquila Jr., Elder Aretemio C. Maligon, Elder Eduardo M. Argana, Elder Bartolome Madriaga, Elder Norman C. Insong, and Elder Ernesto A. Deyro Jr., who were also joined by their wives.

Elder and Sister Bednar also met with President and Sister Cabrito of the Manila Philippines Temple, President and Sister Alfornon of the Cebu City Philippines Temple, and over a thousand ordinance workers who faithfully serve in these temples. They also met with various mission leaders and thousands of missionaries at the MTC and across the Philippines.

Counsel to the Saints

During his visit, Elder and Sister Bednar spoke to members in Makati, San Jose del Monte, San Pablo, Davao, Puerto Princesa, Tarlac, Angeles/San Fernando, and Quezon City. In addition to participating in an area-wide broadcast, Elder Bednar met with stake and district leaders, presided over several conferences and devotionals, instructed missionaries and temple workers, and met with political and religious leaders.

The culminating event was an area-wide broadcast with the theme “Becoming A Temple-Ready People.” During the broadcast nearly 50,000 members participated face-to-face and online. During the event, members of the Philippines Area presidency and their wives presented Elder and Sister Bednar with impressions from Church leaders and members throughout the country who had attended various events where the Bednars had spoken. Elder Bednar had invited these leaders and members to share three things: (1) What did they hear? (2) What did they learn? and (3) how can it help them change?

With this format, a wondrous outpouring of the Spirit was felt as the Philippine Saints gathered together to learn anew and be edified by a modern-day apostle.

Elder Bednar reminded Church members that “it is very, very important” to focus on the basic things of the gospel. “The gospel of Jesus Christ is very simple, it’s not hard to live,” Elder Bednar reaffirmed to the Saints. “We learn, we strive to understand the teachings of the Savior, and then we do them—that’s called faith in Him.”

Elder Bednar then clarified, that “as we do that, our problems do not go away, our problems are not solved for us.” But, “we are blessed with the power of godliness in our lives, because we are connected to the Father and the Son by covenant, and the Holy Ghost is our companion, and any adversity that we face in our life, any challenge, we have the strength to persevere, to be patient, and to press forward,” he added.

Elder Bednar was keenly aware of the challenges Filipinos face, which was apparent when a question was raised concerning members who struggle to decide whether or not to leave their families to work overseas. Elder Bednar noted that he had seen many Filipinos working in places as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.

“I would never tell you what to do,” the apostle said, pointing out that “you have your agency, you’re an agent, you have to decide.” Elder Bednar counseled members to read as a family the Church’s Proclamation on the Family, especially the parts where marriage is described as being ordained of God and the family’s role in Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. “Pray about it, ponder it, seek the Lord’s help, and then make your decision,” he taught.

Counsel to the missionaries

To the full-time and service missionaries, and senior missionaries, Elder Bednar reiterated the importance of listening to the Spirit. To those gathered at the Philippines Missionary Training Center (MTC), Elder Bednar requested the missionaries to prepare to be ‘taught by the Spirit’ by studying five articles. Instead of just writing down what he would say, Elder Bednar invited them to write their impressions as given by the Spirit. As he spoke to them, he invited them to ask questions.

Sister Asis, who is assigned to the Japan Kobe Mission, realized that such preparation and study was crucial to inviting the Spirit before the devotional began. “Without studying his previous talks,” she noted, “comprehending everything he says would have been difficult.” Elder Ruiz of the Philippines Iloilo Mission gained a deeper understanding of the word conversion: “As a missionary, if I am converted, I can follow the Missionary Standards and [the Savior’s] example and rely on my testimony to teach by the Spirit.”

At a similar devotional at the historic Buendia Chapel with missionaries from four missions (Philippines Antipolo, Philippines Manila, Philippines Quezon City and Philippines Quezon City North), Elder Bednar asked the Elders and Sisters to prepare themselves and to learn by the Spirit—to hear not just what had been said but also what was taught to them individually by the Holy Ghost.

Sister Bednar’s experiences

For her part, Sister Bednar highlighted the importance of the For the Strength of Youth guide, recounting how she and Elder Bednar had shared its inspired counsel with nonmember friends of their three sons as they were growing up. “My husband and I have found that when you live in places where there are very few members of the Church,” she related, “it’s easier for our children and… your children to give away the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet… it’s a great missionary tool.” She then narrated how she and Elder Bednar reared their children in gospel values.

“When Sister Bednar mentioned about having a picture of Jesus Christ on their sons’ walls, I remembered our family scripture study where my father mentions two characteristics of Jesus Christ in John 2 where he cleanses the temple,” Sister Laneah Benigno of Cubao Ward, Quezon City South Stake recalls. “Now that I also have a picture of Him, I can see and remember not just His characteristics but also His teachings that made an impact in my life.”

“Elder and Sister Bednar talked about how pictures of Jesus and the temple in their son’s rooms made them excited to go to the temple,” shared nine-year-old Kaylee Sophia Lopez of Quirino 1st ward, Quezon City South Stake. “I am excited to go to the temple, too, but I have to wait until I’m twelve.”

Reaching out

During his visit, Elder Bednar, accompanied by Elder Bangerter, also met with former president Rodrigo R. Duterte and Senator Rolando “Bong” Go in Parañaque City. Elder Bednar briefed the two leaders on the status of the Philippines Davao Temple, currently under construction and then extended a warm invitation for them to attend the historic temple open house when the construction is finished. The Church leaders and Senator Go also discussed various Church initiatives that continue to bless the lives of Filipino families and communities.

Elder Bednar also participated in an interreligious event at San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex in Makati, where he was welcomed by Fr. Richard Babao, dean of the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary and Assistant Minister for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila. Elder Bednar presented Father Babao with a beautiful statue of the Christus and bore witness of the Savior’s central role in the doctrine of the Church. Elder Bangerter Presented Father Babao with a personalized hardbound copy of the Book of Mormon and together they discussed its reality as a testament of Jesus Christ. At a question-and-answer session with Catholic seminarians of the complex’s Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, Elder Bednar noted that his relatives were also Catholic and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints actively builds friendships with people of all faiths throughout the world, as they partner together to minister to humanitarian needs and concerns.

An Apostle’s blessing

The day before he and Sister Bednar departed, Elder Bednar invoked an apostolic blessing upon the over 850,000 members of the Church in the Philippines. “I invoke this blessing that the light of righteousness will continue to expand in this nation,” he prayerfully spoke, “in individual lives, in families, in communities, and in this country.” He also called upon the heavens to bless the Filipino people, that they would have “a greater desire to learn about the covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s gospel.”

Finally, as a special witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder Bednar imparted his testimony wherein he once again reassured Church members throughout the Philippines of the Savior’s central role in their lives: “He is resurrected. He is alive. We can be yoked to and with him through the covenants and ordinances of His restored gospel. I witness that is true and available to every single member of this Church who receives the covenants and strives to remember and honor them.”