During the ministry of Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Philippines in June, he taught Latter-day Saints to focus on the Savior and to help others on the covenant path.
“We don’t have to do everything, but we can do something to help somebody through the covenant path. Let us love them, share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them and invite them to make sacred covenants,” Elder Renlund said to about 400 people during a devotional with the Bacoor Philippines, San Gabriel Philippines and Las Piñas Philippines stakes, which are south of Manila, the Philippines Newsroom reported.
The covenant path includes receiving ordinances and making and keeping the covenants that lead to the celestial kingdom.
During the June 10-18 ministry in the Philippines, which included devotionals with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Apostle was accompanied by his wife, Sister Ruth L. Renlund. Also ministering in the country were Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister L. Jill Johnson, and Bishop L. Todd Budge, second counselor in the presiding bishopric, and his wife, Sister Lori C. Budge.
The leaders were accompanied at various times by Elder Steven R. Bangerter, General Authority Seventy and the Philippines Area president, and his wife, Sister Susann A. Bangerter; Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Philippines Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Bon Kyung Koo Choi; Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Philippines Area presidency with his wife, Sister Marie Revillo; along with local leaders.
Mhel Rose Gaso, of the Talisay Philippines Stake, said, “The devotional confirmed to me that I am a daughter of God. It reminded me to love myself, live the gospel and perceive challenges as blessings. I realized that Heavenly Father can make us capable in any difficulty.”
On the southern Mindanao island, more than 900 people attended a devotional at the Butuan Philippines Stake Center on Saturday, June 17, and more who participated via Zoom, the Philippines Newsroom reported.
Elder Renlund taught the need to center their lives on the Savior, Jesus Christ.
“In all that we do, let us turn our focus to the teachings and example of our Savior,” Elder Renlund said.
Aljohn Saure, a returned missionary of the Alegria Branch, Placer Philippines District, was one of several who came in a bongo vehicle, a large short-hooded van, owned by the branch president.
“The most important lesson I took away was the need to build a sure foundation, honor His covenant and become like Him,” Saure said.
Julene Taro, also of the Placer district, said, “Elder Renlund reminded me to always ponder and remember the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, especially as we partake in the sacrament.”
Bhonlane Laniton, a young man from the Butuan 3rd Ward, said that the devotional taught him: “Jesus Christ is the way, and it is up to us to choose whether we will follow His guidance and embrace His light. With Him in our lives, all things become possible.”
Marjorie Camingao Baculio of the Butuan 3rd Ward said that she sometimes doubts her own abilities and feels inadequate. “I often get caught up in focusing on my weaknesses, limitations and fears. But I’ve come to realize that these negative thoughts hinder my progress and prevent me from fully embracing the covenant path.”
Elder Johnson shared the story of his grandmother and his grandparents’ strength in their faith after discovering the teachings of Jesus Christ, as he spoke to those gathered in the Cabanatuan Philippines Stake Center from the Cabanatuan and Gapan stakes and the Bongabon District on June 14.
“When we attend the temple and receive our temple blessings, there are great and powerful promises given, and when God makes a promise, He keeps it,” Elder Johnson said, reported Philippines Newsroom.
On June 15, Elder Johnson spoke to 200 members in the San Fernando La Union Philippines Stake and Bauang District, northwest of Manila on the Luzon island, with about 400 people from the Agoo, Baguio and Candon stakes, and Bangued District participating via Zoom, according to the Philippines Newsroom. He encouraged them to center their lives on Jesus Christ and His Atonement and to make and keep sacred covenants.
On Negros island, Bishop Budge spoke to members in the Bacolod stakes and mission on June 17, reported Philippines Newsroom. Elder Bangerter encouraged members of the Church to keep their “eyes firmly focused upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and to come unto Him” in all aspects of their lives.
There are more than 853,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attending 1,272 congregations. There are two operating temples — in Manila and Cebu City — with 10 more temples announced or under construction.