Reading a 36-Year Old Mail

What a feeling reading a 36-year old mail! I remember that after 4 months of my baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the person who baptized me on April 20, 1980 sent me a postal mail which I was able to keep for 36 years for safekeeping and I was able to find it inside an envelope. I open it and read.

It reads (unedited):

It’s really nice to received [sic] a letters from the people whom you loved. I’m very excited upon reading your letter.

Well, as of now I’m very busy in my Church calling, I got e position ward magazine representative, secretary in single adult which is the hardest things first you can do… But I know the Lord with help me and the third is the Stake Missionary (part time only). We had lot’s of referral and we just only sustained last night. In our stake there’s no full time missionary and we are the one doing the missionary work, that’s our RESPONSIBILITIES…

ARTURO A. TOLENTINO: Thou Art a Good Shepherd

Bro. Tolentino and his wife

The old sinful ways of this blogger were left to oblivion when he was converted to the true Church of Jesus Christ here on earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, popularly known as "Mormons."

The blogger's interest to know more about the true doctrine of Jesus Christ was held in abeyance for almost a period of six years till he was ultimately proselyted, baptized and confirmed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in La Carlota City Branch, Bacolod Philippines Stake sometime in 1980.

Elder Arturo A. Tolentino, a soft-spoken full-time missionary of the aforementioned Church was able to track this blogger's residence at San Agustin Street, La Carlota City sometime in May 1980. Elder Tolentino with his foreign companion, Elder Wagner started teaching him the basic missionary discussions on the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, which may include faith, repentance, baptism, words of wisdom, the Prophets among others.

This Man Influences Me and My Family

This man whom I met in the temple of God in Manila has made me realized how important is the family. I am fully convinced then that family could be together forever after I performed the temple ordinance for my wife and me, and my children.

This greatest experience is a part and parcel of my spiritual being for 33 years of my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I have strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and even the truthfulness of this Church as I stay close to the Church and nurture my faith together with my family all-out support.Because of our faithfulness to the Church and as we keep our covenant too, we have received many blessings which are beyond measure so to speak. They take several forms. We know that God really loves us. He wouldn't forsake us especially when we are in our dire needs. He really answers our prayers. He wants us to follow His plan of salvation for our redemption from the Fall.

Bulaklak's Baptism in LDS Has Come!

I was all smile when our third granddaughter was baptized following the baptism of Toto Bryan Camporazo and Adgel Camporazo-Tolones several months ago when they reached their age of accountability, which is 8 years old.

Bulaklak

It took us a bit of long wait until Bulaklak's baptism has come.  I was spiritually filled when I confirmed my granddaughter, Shanley Jane Camporazo-Jaud as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after she was baptized by her uncle, our youngest son and a returned missionary assigned to Butuan Philippines Mission sometime in 2010, two years ago.

As I confirmed her, former President of La Carlota Branch Joemar Montero and Kent Tiano assisted me as we laid our hands on her head in a circle. I told her that our Heavenly Father is very happy for this special day that she's baptized and now a member of the Church.

President Joel Vergara, the first counselor of La Carlota First branch welcomed the four newly baptized members of the Church. He expressed gratitude for the support the respective parents of the baptized members and he encouraged them not to fail in that stewardship as far as Church activity is concerned.

Standing for Truth for 32 Years

Elder Tolentino and me reuniting after 30 years

Thirty-two years ago today, I was baptized by Elder Arturo A. Tolentino, a full-time missionary from Quezon City as a convert and confirmed by Elder Daniel Crossley, a full-time missionary from Salt Lake, Utah as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this long years of membership, I was able to tackle and hurdle various trials and challenges in my life as I nurture and nourish my membership in the Church by staying faithful and active in my various callings I received.

In this first Sunday of April which is our fast and testimony Sunday, I was rehearsing and talking to my mind of what the achievements I had had before I shared my testimony.

Memorable things flashed back in my mind from the time of my conversion which took me 6 years till the time that my family members, my wife and I were sealed in Manila Philippines Temple, Quezon City.