Home: 'Sanctuary of Faith’

By Gilbor I. Camporazo, La Carlota Philippines District Historian

Elder Carlos G. Revillo, Jr.

Elder Carlos G. Revillo, Jr. of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day presided over the semi-annual conference of La Carlota Philippines District held at La Carlota Meetinghouse, Saturday, February 9, 2019.

In the Adult session of the said conference, he counseled the members about the importance of a family. These members are composed of different auxiliary leaders of the Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Manggapsang, Masville, La Carlota 1st, La Carlota 2nd, Ayungon, and San Enrique.

To emphasize his message, he showed a video message of President Russell M. Nelson on home which is considered spiritually as sanctuary of faith on October 2018 General Church conference.
He cited a portion of the message President Nelson on "Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints", especially about home.

Crucial Moments in My Life

The following situations have tried my faith on giving, my generosity on one's need. But I am very sorry for I haven't satisfied one of it. I am terribly remorseful and downtrodden about it.

I have experience these two situations recently. This kind of situation is heart broken especially when you are kind hearted and generous. This is what had happened to me lately.

Blessed to Give

It is happy to give though you have only limited money on hand especially those in need.

This had happened to me on Monday. My wife and I were fetching our granddaughter at her Kinder School every school days. My wife went ahead with me. I followed her later. when I arrived I saw her leaning on one of the shade posts, playing game with her cellphone.

Listening to Faith in Every Footstep Music

Recollecting our semi-annual conference of the Church for Saturday Session which had just been concluded after the Priesthood Leadership training and the Single-Adult and Mothers’ training/workshop  sometime in July 2016.

The district choir rendered their own version of “Faith in Every Footstep” which reminded me of the experiences encountered by the pioneer of the Church in the middle of 1830s. As I listened to the 45-member choir, I imagined how those early Church members sacrificed while migrating to the place called Salt Lake.

Likewise, I was contemplating on how the choir sang it according to their way of interpreting it. I was evaluating mentally the time and effort which their trainer, their chorister trained them. I could relate it perfectly for I had been training the choir in the late 80s. It was too difficult to train the participants for their respective voice parts like the bass and the tenor for the males, and the soprano and the alto for the females.

Why Are They Spiritually Inspired?

Have you considered some verses in the Bible are inspiring? Do you have a scriptural mastery which guides you all the way in your way of living? Some of my friend in the Facebook have signified their desire to share what they have.

I introduce Bible Verse Game in my Facebook page to check how many friends I have who have some verses in the Bible, which inspire them in their day-to-day undertakings in their lives.

Those who responded are a few teachers, government and private employees. Whether they're religious, devotees or otherwise, it doesn't matter. This is only to find out their favorite Biblical memory verse that has guided them, strengthened them, and nurtured their faith regardless of any religious affiliation or denomination they have.

Nine Basic Elements of Christmas

Most Christians do celebrate Christmas every year on the tradition handed to them from one generation to another. As this tradition grows in age, the ancient practice has influenced by the advent of modern technology and modern way of living. Its value becomes degenerated due commercialism.

Since I was a kid, then passed the stage of teenage, and in this senior age at the present, I do still value Christmas in its spiritual point of view. To remind me always and to avoid staying away from the very essence of this important event among the Christians, I have come up with an 9 basic elements of Christmas based on its acronym: CHRISTMAS

I hope these elements may appeal to anyone as to their humble understanding of the true meaning of Christmas and may serve as a constant guide to everyone as they celebrate Christmas every year.

Three Imperatives of Faith

Faith is defined by the Bible as the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." and by LDS Scripture as "not to have a perfect knowledge of things... which are not seen, which are true."

Wirthlin

Faith is necessary for a believer to have in order for him to be baptized and be among the sons and daughters of God. It is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I learned when I was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1980.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (LDS) apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin asserts (Nov. 2002), "Faith exists when absolute confidence in that which we cannot see combines with action that is in absolute conformity to the will of our Heavenly Father."

In his message, "Shall He Find Faith on the Earth?" published in Ensign Nov. 2002, Elder Wirthlin explained that when faith lacks "absolute confidence, action, and absolute conformity" it is considered as "counterfeit, weak and watered-down."

David Archuleta Takes a Break for a Mission

courtesy of www.mmm-mag.com

2008 runner up American Idol David Archuleta, 21, who plays a Fil-Am singer in the TV5 soap Nandito here in the PH leaves the TV show for a missionary work as a form of spiritual sacrifice, as a form of being grateful for the Lord's goodness and blessings.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or commonly known as Mormon, David Archuleta has left his TV show for a 2-year mission to serve the Lord as a test of his strong faith and obedience. Every young man and young woman in the Church upon reaching the missionary age of 19 to 25 shall go out for a mission for 24 months for the male and 18 months for the female..

Besides, he had already made a personal announcement sometime in December 2011 in his Utah concert saying that  it's the feeling that he felt that he need to do next in his life by taking a break for music for two years.

Missionary work is one of the 3-fold missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The scriptures are so clear that the word of God will be proclaimed to all nations, kindreds and tongues.

Agustin: 'Happy Life. Happy Home'

Happy life could be tantamount to a happy home when there's love. And this is what I've personally gained from the message of Elder Manuel Agustin of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in one of semi-annual conferences of La Carlota District.

Elder Agustin

Elder Agustin emphasized his spiritual instructions on family by citing Browning's "How Do I Love Thee?" to the Church members.

"Home can be a heaven on earth/ when we are filled with love/ Bringing happiness and joy,/ Rich blessings from above/" - some lines from Church hymn were also cited by Elder Agustin to substantiate his claim that family is very important in the eyes of the Lord.

'Family Is Important'

The week-long family week celebration of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) as inspired by its theme: "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion" was concluded yesterday.

The success of the said activities could be attributed as being obedient to LDS Church leaders' advice "to support the government's initiative to strengthen the Filipino family."

"Strengthening family ties, communication and values within the family is important in reducing cases of violence among family members," likewise the local news said.

TAKE the CROSS Now!

CROSS for me is an acrostic for Christ's Resurrection On Soul Searching.

In the Bible, the risen Jesus says to Mary Magdalene, "Touch Me Not" for I have not gone yet to my Father in heaven. And further He says to her to let His disciples know that He has ascended to His Father's House in heaven. (John 20:17, KJV)

Christ's resurrection is a gift for the dead and the "living" dead that they shall be living again and shall be given another chance to prove therewith of their faith and belief with Jesus Christ as Savior of mankind. If Jesus hadn't risen from the dead, then those fallen before and after the end of world shall have no chance to be saved from their sins and be there at the mansions prepared for them in their Father's kingdom. (1 Corinthians 15:13, KJV)