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President Nelson reflects on growth in Philippines

Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI
Credit: IRI

During the past 27 years, President Russell M. Nelson has fulfilled five assignments to the Philippines, witnessing firsthand evidences of the growth of the Church in this Pacific Rim nation.

He said that when he visited the first time, in 1987, the Philippines had 32 stakes, five missions and 150,000 Latter-day Saints. There are now 96 stakes, 21 missions and 610,000 members.

President Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, traveled to the Philippines Jan. 11-22, visiting with and addressing members in Manila, Naga, Legazpi, Bacolod, Quezon City and San Pablo.

President Nelson and members of the Philippines Area Presidency — Elder Ian S. Ardern, Elder Shayne M. Bowen and Elder Allen D. Haynie, all General Authority Seventies — held priesthood leadership conferences in Naga and San Pablo. While those meetings were being held, Sister Nelson, Sister Paula Ardern, Sister Lynette Bowen and Sister Deborah Haynie met with sisters in special women’s meetings (please see accompanying article).

Elder Eleazer S. Collado and Elder George J. Tobias, Area Seventies, and Manila Philippines Temple President Modesto M. Armistad also participated in some of the meetings.

Special stake conferences were held in Naga and San Pablo.

Young single adults gathered in special meetings in Legazpi, Bacolod and San Pablo.

Upon being asked about his latest assignment, President Nelson said, “For us as Church leaders the marvelous part was meeting the members. Seeing their great devotion and consecration, in spite of their challenges, was really inspiring.”

He spoke of many challenges Filipino Saints face, including destructive storms and poor living conditions. He then flipped open his iPad and scrolled to show one of his favorite photos from his latest travels. “I peeked into a classroom, which was the overflow from one of the young single adult conferences we held,” he said. “The people in the room weren’t young single adults. There are older folks and children, just jammed into that room to hear the word of the Lord.”

Pointing to the photo, he said, “Look at those happy faces. Whatever their living conditions are, they are smiling. They’re so dedicated and faithful. … You look at these dear people. You just want to love them. They have gone through so much.”

Speaking of the growth of the Church in the Philippines, President Nelson mentioned that he dedicated the Manila Missionary Training Center in 2012. “Now, four years later, construction is underway to double the capacity at that MTC. In four years what I dedicated is inadequate,” he said.

They were joined at six missionary meetings by President L. Barry Reeder of the Philippines Naga Mission, President Jovencio A. Guanzon of the Philippines Legazpi Mission, President Christopher A. Barredo of the Philippines Bacolod Mission, President Scott B. Clark of the Philippines Angeles Mission, President Kim C. Bertin of the Quezon City North Mission and President Richard J. Trask of the Manila Missionary Training Center. All the brethren were accompanied by their wives: Sisters Mylene Collado, Helen Tobias, Laura Amistad, Sharon Reeder, Ana Barredo, Jocelyn Jovencio, Jennifer Bertin and Geneive Trask.

EMAIL: gerry@desnews.com

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