Like most parents, if not all, my parents exercised their informed judgment and authority and didn’t let me walk the wrong path. I didn’t understand their reasons until I was older and wise enough to understand that they knew then what was best for me, and I have them to thank for teaching and guiding me. It’s because of them that I became the person I am today.

One might argue that it’s their responsibility so why should we give them so much credit when it’s our life? Well, would you be okay to receive 80% on a test that you aced or a mediocre performance rating after doing stellar work? I don’t think so.

The truth is, our parents don’t even want the praise because most of the time they think they could have done better, but honestly, we should give them all due credit anyway because most of the time they are giving everything they’ve got as parents.

Here are 2 things so common we sometimes forget they count.

Hard Work. When I was 12, my mother had to leave home suddenly to work in the capital city. I didn’t understand why she had to leave her children for work. Little did I know that it was one of the most difficult choices she had to make for our future. She didn’t like being away from us but she had to make that sacrifice so we could afford to attend the best school in town. Both my parents worked hard, not only to give me and my siblings the necessities of life, but also to make sure we were prepared for the opportunities that life would present us. I am where I am now because they worked hard to make sure that I had what I needed to excel in my endeavors.

What my parents were earning then was enough to sustain our family, but with the economy evolving through the years, I think we all know how far PHP500 can go when buying groceries or paying for tuition these days. Because of that, I know many parents who are working 1-2 side jobs on top of their regular jobs to keep their families afloat. Not to mention the global pandemic which has shaken the economy, forcing businesses to close and let go of their employees. Imagine how a parent would feel at the possibility of losing a job, making things even more difficult.

So the next time you feel like your parents don’t seem to have time for you anymore or love their jobs more than they love you, give them the benefit of the doubt. This is not to invalidate your feelings of wanting to spend more time with your parents, but they could be working hard to keep their jobs or just exhausted from a 15-hour day of hustling. Try to have greater empathy and be open to the possibility that they are doing the best they can under current circumstances.

Give them a glass of cold water when they come home, help prepare meals, wash the dishes, and other chores at home so they can have time to rest and recuperate. Pray for them to have strength for the next day’s work. Expressing your thanks verbally can go a long way, too.

It is also important to recognize that not all of us have parents who work hard for their children. In this case, you can turn to Heavenly Father and rely on His help to direct and guide you through life. Know that in His own ways, He is putting in the work to ensure that your life will be blessed, maybe not with parents worthy of emulation, but with Heavenly Parents who love and care for you beyond comprehension.

Forgiving us seventy times seven. During a day at my sister’s house with her 3 toddlers, I started counting how many times one of them said the words “I’m sorry, mommy.” Long before noon, I had already lost count. Spilled milk, a broken glass, dirty clothes, a messy floor, and fighting over a toy were several reasons my nieces and nephew apologized to my sister.

As we grow older, we make mistakes far greater than spilled milk. And yes, it might require even more than saying “I’m sorry.” Looking back at the mistakes we’ve made in the past, we’ll likely find that they have forgiven us more times than we can count. They have extended compassion and love in their own ways, maybe not in the ways we wanted, but in the best way they know how to let us know that we had been forgiven.

Often we don’t often feel enough gratitude for our parents when they forgive us because it is so common, we don’t even give it much thought. But if we take time to think about how our mistake made them feel, we can understand how much their forgiveness means.

So the next time you think of breaking a house rule, do something beyond reason, or say something out of anger, pause and ask yourself, “Is this something worth hurting their feelings for?”

There are so many other things that our parents are doing that we might not give much thought. But if we take a step back and observe even the little things they do for us and how much effort these things require, we’ll realize that parenting is hard.

My sister once said, “I never really understood how much effort our parents put into raising righteous children until I was raising mine.”

We might not fully understand until we walk in similar shoes but understanding our parents with empathy will help us appreciate their daily efforts more.

The post 2 Things Parents Do Not Receive Due Credit For appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Strength as a Family

I grew up watching my parents grieve. I heard their “could-have-beens” – how if they had been better parents or if they could have done things better, then they would not have lost their little boy. It pained me seeing them go through that, but those times became opportunities for me to comfort them. My siblings and I try our hardest to reassure them that they are good parents. We try to make every moment as a family a happy one. We used to talk about our loss as bleak and sad but as the years rolled along, we have learned to remember the joy we felt at having been given the chance to be the family of that very special child. We have recommitted ourselves time and time again to be good people and to work as a family so we can be worthy to be with him someday.

A Better Knowledge of the Afterlife

Losing my little brother made me ponder more often about death and what happens after. I have even read a lot of literature about the afterlife. However, the most comforting and reliable information does not come from scholastic studies. I have come to understand more about death from the sacred scriptures. Learning from the Word of God gave me comfort and staying power. I have learned that truly, death is not the end of life. It is but a door all of us needs to go through so we can go on to the next chapter of a much grander, continuing of life. My brother is not lost or forgotten. He is just in another state and is waiting for me and my whole family. We can all be together someday through the goodness and mercy of God. Knowing these truths fortified my resolve to go on with life purposefully. All the good that we do here on Earth will not be wasted then, because life goes on. It will go on even after all the pain and sorrow of mortality.

The Will to Improve Daily

With the knowledge that I can be with my brother again, I am inspired to do all I can to make his life with us worth remembering. There is something inside of me that tells me that I need to be worthy to be with him someday. He died innocent and pure. Because of that, I know I need to live a life that will merit being allowed to be where he is now. I do not have a manual that gives specific steps on how to do this, but in the every day decisions that I make, I know I make the steps that either bring me closer to him or take me farther away. I am grateful for commandments that serve as a guide to base our life choices on. Every time I am faced with situations where I have to choose between right or wrong, I remember my little brother and that he is waiting for me. Losing my little brother left an imprint in my being that helps me make better choices.

A loving Heavenly Father created the family structure. It is the best way to bring children into this world. This is something very special and very sacred. I know He would not allow death to destroy the sacred connections between family members. He wants us to live as families – secured and bonded – throughout life, and even after death. He made a way. He devised a plan for this to happen. Knowing this Plan has provided great comfort and hope after our loss. We feel our baby brother close to us and God has given us an assurance that we will see him again.

You, too, can know of His beautiful plan… Talk to us or visit lds.org to know more.

The post What I Gained After I Lost My Little Brother appeared first on morefaith.ph.

The clash between the desires of Jesus Christ and Lucifer when it comes to the welfare of humanity has never been more apparent than in today’s world. The pressure is felt most strongly within the family. As hard as we work to keep our family safe from the adversary’s attacks, it feels like Satan works twice as hard. He wants to win individual souls by plucking them from the protection of family relationships. He does this because he knows he can never win. The next best thing he can do is share his misery and woe with unfortunate souls that fall into his traps. The battleline has been drawn. How then do we stay on the winning side and have our family with us?

Willing Obedience to God

Trusting The One who understands everything from beginning to end, is the safest thing to do. It is comforting to know that He seeks the eternal joy of us all. The commandments that the Savior gives to us are, in actuality, instructions for safety and happiness. If we offer our will and submit it to our all-knowing and all-powerful Heavenly Father, He will be able to guide us every step of the way. By doing so, we need not risk going on unsafe roads. All we have to do is follow the path the Savior has marked for us. If husband and wife, parents and children, put complete trust in the plan that a loving Father in Heaven has designed for His children, we will all be able to stay within the bounds of safety.

Integrity in All That We Do

Another way to avoid being collateral damage in the adversary’s war, is to instill in our being the value of integrity. Integrity goes beyond its popular definition. It is popularly known as being honest in all that we do. But integrity is more than that. It delves into the “why” in all that we do. Motives make or break every act. No matter how good the act, if it is carried out because of selfish or evil desires, it is still not counted as righteousness. Our relationship as a family is strongly dependent upon what is inside our hearts. Parents often tell children, “We only want what is best for you.” But do we really base our opinions and advice upon what is best for our children? Or do we do so for personal gratification? It is in times like these that we need to check our motives, examine our inner desires and ask ourselves the “why” of everything that we do. Confidence will wax strong in each family member and each will learn to have faith in humanity, as well as caution where appropriate.

Protection From Within

We can build high walls or install state-of-the-art security systems for our homes to prevent outside physical dangers from intruding. We can even make our homes fire-proof, earthquake-safe or get all the insurance money can buy to prepare for a natural disaster. These preparations are good but they are not enough. If we want to protect our families from the dangers of the world, we start doing so from within. There are threats more dangerous than robbers or calamities. These threats are often subtle and sometimes seem harmless at first, but the effects can be devastating. Pornography, deceit, addiction, abuse and other menacing perils are accessible through the internet and through any other media that we expose ourselves to. If we want to protect our family from these dangers, we need to learn and teach correct principles (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/viewpoint-learn-and-live-correct-principles?lang=eng). By doing so, we equip ourselves and our children with the moral courage needed to combat such threats when they are confronted with them. Even if nobody is watching, we will be able to make correct choices and avoid pain and regret. We need to reinforce this kind of protection because we cannot be with our family all the time.

Yes, we can help and pray for our family members when they are facing difficult situations but if we fortify our families early on, we can save ourselves from a lot of tears and heartache later on. And if trying times come, and they surely will, we will know what to do and who to trust. We are on the frontline of the battle between good and evil as we fight to protect what is sacred and of great worth. We have the help of heaven as we do our best to partner with Heavenly Father to bring to pass His work and His glory.

The post 3 Nonphysical Ways to Fortify Our Homes appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Set a Schedule

An extra hour during Sundays also means families have ample time to set aside specifically for learning the gospel at home. The best way to prepare family for gospel study in the home is to set a schedule where you’re all free from commitments and ready to learn together. Setting a clear schedule can help each member of the family look forward to special times where you can gather and share insights. Once a time slot has been established, family gospel learning can be an activity that both parents and kids – whether young and old – will look forward to and prepare for.

Record Impressions

2 Nephi 25:26 makes a powerful statement on the importance of writing down impressions. It says:

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, and we write according to the prophecies , that our children may know to what source they may look for for the remission of their sins.”

Recording impressions received during family gospel study will help both parents and kids be reminded of the feelings and powerful impressions we can receive when we sincerely study the scriptures. Encourage each family member to keep a notebook and journal where he or she can record his or her thoughts. Have a family journal as well where you can write down the feelings and the promptings that came during the activity. A great blessing of learning as a family is that everyone can have the chance to share – something that doesn’t always happen in a class discussion. Help children realize the blessings of studying the gospel early on by encouraging them to write down impressions.

Have a Family Commitment

One of the most popular scripture verses in the Book of Mormon – recorded in 1 Nephi 3:7 – was an expression of Nephi’s commitment to follow the Lord’s commandments. Because Nephi stayed true to his commitment, he was able to become a witness of how the Lord fulfills His promises. Coming up with challenges which you can commit to and act upon can help each family member be reminded of what you have learned. When each family member is blessed with the privilege of feeling the spirit through service, it will leave a mark – a mark that can help them appreciate gospel learning with the family.

Introduce Activities

Be creative with your family gospel study. Introducing activities other than reading and discussing the lesson can help break up the monotony. Come Follow Me for Families and Individuals introduces various activities for every lesson – one activity even includes inviting members to draw what they have learned. How fun is that? Even kids will be excited.

Prepare Together

As you establish a pattern of home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning, don’t miss out on including everyone in the planning and preparation. You can ask the children to pick out hymns – and make sure those hymns are played during your study schedule to invite the spirit. Involve the older kids in the preparation for lessons. When family members are given roles, gospel learning as a family won’t feel like mom and dad’s own agenda again.

Take Time to Encourage

Studying the gospel at home is possible, but it has its own sets of challenges. Some of our family members may feel like reading the scriptures and taking a few minutes to ponder and discuss the topics discussed are just challenging. You can establish gospel learning at home by taking time to reach out, teach and encourage each family member to “feast upon the words of Christ.” If at first, kids get bored or the program doesn’t turn out the way you hope, don’t fret. Consistency is key – just continue to be creative and encouraging.

It is a wonderful opportunity to be alive in these latter days. The Lord is truly hastening His work – He needs laborers who know, laborers who love the gospel. The Lord wants to make sure families are being spiritually strengthened within the walls of their own home. Establishing gospel learning at home will not be easy but remembering these 6 tips – and being consistent – can make a big difference.

The post 6 Ways to Encourage Meaningful Gospel Learning at Home appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Helps families become more spiritually self-reliant

Spiritual self-reliance is an important part of our efforts to become like the Savior. When we are spiritually self-reliant, we do not depend on another’s testimony – we seek opportunities to build it. When we become more self-reliant spiritually, we begin to look for spiritual experiences through prayer, scripture study, and service. When we have a strong testimony of the gospel, we know where to turn when we encounter problems – the Lord. We also become more effective at helping others in times of spiritual need. Imagine what a family can do if they – individually and collectively – are spiritually self-reliant.

Learning the scriptures, knowing more about Jesus Christ, understanding Heavenly Father’s plan as a family can bless the testimonies of each family member. A spiritually self-reliant family is what the Lord needs in these latter days filled with corruption and immorality, and spiritual self-reliance is what a family needs to combat the temptations of today. Elder Boyd K. Packer warned “If we lose our emotional and spiritual self-reliance, we can be weakened quite as much, perhaps even more, than when we become dependent materially.” As you study with your families, you become more spiritually self-reliant, you become better prepared for the challenges of these latter-days.

Helps families combat the effects of social media

When a Pathway student was asked about the benefits of regular 30-minute conversations without social media interruption,, she said it strengthened her friendship with her Pathway partner. Imagine what regular scripture study – without social media interruption – could do for your family. One of the blessings of the home-centered, church-supported gospel learning approach is improved family relationships. When a family gathers together to learn the gospel, and to hear insights and impressions from each other, negative feelings are alleviated and the needs of members of the family are identified. Spending time with your family can also increase understanding for each member of the family.

Helps children recognize the spirit at a younger age

These children sent here to earth are valiant individuals – the temptations they face are more difficult, and they face them at a younger age. One of the best ways to help children and youth face temptations, and triumph over the adversary is to help them recognize the spirit at a young age. This important gospel skill can help them discern what’s right and wrong, stand for truth and righteousness, build their testimonies, find answers to their prayers, and know where to turn when they are bombarded by challenges. Like learning a new language, or a new skill, recognizing the spirit comes with practice. As we “talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, and prophesy of Christ” in the home, we help our children and youth learn how to hear and heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost. As you teach, learn, and bear your testimony together as a family, children can learn to recognize their own spiritual experiences.

Helps Make Families Ready for Latter-day Challenges

In these latter days, the adversary’s biggest target is the family. President Boyd K. Packer remarked “We live in a very dangerous world that threatens those things that are most spiritual. The family, the fundamental organization in time and eternity, is under attack from forces seen and unseen. The adversary is about. His objective is to cause injury. If he can weaken and destroy the family, he will have succeeded.” One of the most effective ways to protect the family from the onslaught of temptations is to go back to the basics – family prayer and family scripture study. With this great shift – making the home a place for gospel learning – comes the blessing of strengthened families. As individual family members’ testimonies of the Savior are strengthened, the family will be able to withstand the trials and temptations coming their way.

The Family Can Draw Closer to the Savior

As homes “transform into a sanctuary of faith” through this home-centered, church-supported gospel learning approach, the family can “build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement.” As parents and children talk more of Christ, they can draw closer to Him, and truly know Him and not just about Him.

This new approach – one of the biggest changes in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – can bring “remarkable blessings” to the family. May all of us take this revelation to heart and learn with our families. By doing so, we can indeed see miracles within our individual lives and our families.

The post 4 Special Blessings of a Home-Centered, Church-Supported Gospel Learning appeared first on morefaith.ph.

It was a question thrown to us by our wise Young Single Adult Teacher. Even after six years, the question still rings in my mind. At 20, my “promised land” meant finding my eternal companion – the man of my dreams – and getting married in the temple. Now that I am 27 and married, the promised land equates to a family rooted in the gospel, financial stability, and a righteous life that’s ready to face our Maker. Whenever I think of my “promised land,” my heart is filled with happiness and hope.

All of us has our own “promised land” – an event, an achievement, a person, or a goal that we know can bring us immense happiness. Yes, reaching the promised land is possible but the road leading to it is surely one filled with briars, thorns, and a lot of detours. Whenever I think of the journey towards the land of promise, I always remember Lehi’s family. Interestingly enough, 1 Nephi 18 not only narrates the inspiring journey of Lehi’s family – it also teaches us lessons we need to remember as we travel to our own land of promise.

The Lord Will Show Us Great Things

The task given to Nephi to build a ship for their journey to the land of promise was nothing short of daunting. One of the reasons Nephi was confident was because he relied on the instructions of the Lord. Nephi “prayed oft unto the Lord” and the Lord guided him, teaching him how to build the ship and also showing him “great things.”

Reaching the goals we have set for ourselves can also be daunting. Most of the time, we don’t know what will happen next. There will be times when doubt will settle in. During discouraging moments, let’s take time to ask “Do we have enough faith to rely on the Lord?” In the journey towards our promised land, let’s be like Nephi. Let’s continually pray, and ask what the Lord would have us do next, and trust in the promise that He will show us great things. Let’s strive to reach our goals “after the manner which the Lord has shown unto [us]” and not by the “manner of men.” Then, like Nephi, we will also see great things.

Sin and Rebellion Prevents Us From Reaching The Promised Land

When our goals are not guided by the will of the Lord, chances are, we’ll eventually feel lost. Goals seem to be out of reach. We can sometimes become clueless, not knowing what to do next, or what to pursue. There will be times you might feel that blessings are elusive.

Sin and rebellion prevents us from reaching the promised land. Just like the Liahona stopped working when Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael bound Nephi, our personal Liahona – the Holy Ghost – stops guiding us when we do things that are contrary to the commandments of the Lord. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf worded this perfectly when he said:

“Part of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.” (“Living the Gospel Joyful,” Ensign, Nov. 2014)

When we sin and when we follow our own will above that of the Lord, we can lose the inspiration that tells us what the Lord wants and has prepared for us.

Repentance Leads Us Back

Fortunately, there is a way to get back on track – repentance. When Laman and Lemuel recognized their wrongs, they repented and freed Nephi, and the Liahona started working again.

Like what happened to Lehi’s family, repenting from our rebellion and sin can put us back on the right path towards the promised land. The “manners of men” are so loud that sometimes, we can’t hear the Lord’s instructions to us. When we turn back to Him and mute the world out, we can receive inspiration from the Lord clearly – the kind that will help us to reach our goals. When we follow the manner that the Lord has shown, we can do greater things.

The Promised Land Brings Happiness

In the last verse of 1 Nephi 18, Nephi wrote about the bounties of the promised land. Nephi’s family left their riches in Jerusalem but they were greatly rewarded when they reached their promised destination. The Lord can also help lead us to our promised land just like He did for Nephi’s family. The road towards our goals may l seem bleak, unclear, and sometimes scary. But when we trust the Lord, do all we can to keep the Liahona working, and repent of our sins and rebellion, the Lord will help us reach our land of promise.

The post On Our Journey To The Promised Land, Let’s Learn From Lehi’s Family appeared first on morefaith.ph.

A Little About Lola

All my life, I knew my Lola (grandmother) as the lady who loved to take walks in small, dainty steps. She was gracious in the way she dressed and the way she walked. Her demeanor reminded people of the stern yet classy ways of people born in the ‘40s. She loved red roses and red lipstick. Her favorite hobby was showing up unannounced at our home with multiple plastic bags containing “pre-loved” clothes from an ukay-ukay shop nearby. She smelled of violet orchids with a little hint of citrus. “My favorite scent is Ivana from Avon,” she would always tell us.

I always saw my grandmother as an old woman who showered us with so much love. I know so many details about her: she was a Festival Queen once, she lost one of her twin babies, and she took care of a sick child for 14 years. She was also a great puto-maker. Yes, I was a grandchild of a puto-maker, yet I did not have a single clue on how to make one. This struck me hard. Why had I never asked her about the one recipe she had mastered the most?

Missing Lola’s Recipe

Realizing that I did not know how to make my lola’s special dessert, I set a goal to learn how to make rice cakes. As I started learning from the web and from Youtube, the thought came to my mind. “Why did I not ask for the puto recipe before she died?” Then it dawned on me that, despite my assumption that I already knew her, I had not truly given much thought to her experiences or the things that mattered to her.

I began to realize that it was not really my Lola’s first choice to be a puto-maker. But when Lolo (grandfather) left his job, she needed to find extra income. I imagined her waking up at 4:00 AM to prepare the puto they needed to sell at 6:00 AM in order to support two college students, and two other kids, and I couldn’t help but admire her strength.

Her strength wasn’t just limited to her ability to make puto in the early hours. I remembered how she lost her twins. In the entire time I was with her, I had never asked how she felt when one of her twin girls died, and the other lived only to be bedridden for the rest of her young life. I never asked her what kept her going, or how she faithfully continued teaching her three boys even when she was limited by a heart condition. And with so many realizations came so many regrets. If only I could have known Lola better.

Know Grandmother Better, Love Grandmother More

Even though we know so much about our ancestors, there are still things about them that can inspire and amaze us. That is what I experienced as I tried to copy my Lola’s rice cake recipe. More than knowing the exact measurements of ingredients, I learned about her sacrifices and her strength. Along with figuring out what makes a puto delicious, I discovered her resilience and her bright spirit.

When the Area Presidency in the Philippines invited Filipino members to fill out their “My Family, My Story” booklet, I couldn’t help but be a little emotional. It was a perfect time for me to record my Lola’s admirable puto-making skills and her commendable sacrifices. Yes, I missed my chance to ask her more about her life, but I still have hope in my heart because I know one day, I will see her again and I can ask her all my questions.

Indeed, these words from Pres. Russell M. Nelson prove true even today: “When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves.”

I am a granddaughter of a puto-maker. I am a granddaughter of someone who experienced deepest sorrow. My grandmother is a woman of sacrifice. And when the time comes that the Lord gives faith-testing experiences to me, I will surely gain strength from my Lola’s example.

Take Time To Do Family History

My third attempt at making puto was a success. The evidence can be seen in my 1-year-old son who considers puto his new favorite. I hope he will one day want to learn more about his great grandmother, the putomaker.

The blessings of doing family history are enormous. Indeed, our ancestors are not just names; they are stories. And their stories, their lives have made us who we are. Their stories help us know more of who we are and what we are capable of. Let us take the time to do the work and learn from it. You may never know how the smallest things, like a simple puto recipe, can teach you so much more about your family.

The post Knowing Lola Better Through a Puto Recipe appeared first on morefaith.ph.

It was a hit at our house. And being Mormon, I couldn’t help but notice the way it mirrors in some ways the importance that we also place on knowing and caring about our ancestors.

In the movie, deceased family members in the afterlife continued looking out for their family on Earth, and could visit them once a year on the Day of the Dead, as long as their picture was displayed and their family did not forget about them.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also revere our dead, and are famously obsessed with identifying and making connections with those who have lived before. We have family history centers all around the globe, and maintain the world’s largest collection of genealogical records, over 3.5 billion, in a vault in Utah.

Why?

What Happens to Us After We Die?

Just like in the movie, we also believe that those who have died lovingly watch over us from “the other side,” and look forward to the day when we will all be united again. When we die, our spirits separate from our bodies and go to a temporary resting place, either one of joy and peace, or sadness and regret depending on how we lived our lives on Earth, until they rise again in the resurrection, never to experience physical death again. The righteous, through the grace and atonement of Jesus Christ, will then be able to receive eternal life- or life with our Heavenly Father.

How Do Our Ancestors Fit Into All of This?

Also like in the movie, we believe that we can do things on Earth to help and serve those who have passed on.

Most Christian faiths believe that baptism is necessary for salvation, since this ordinance is referenced more than 80 times in the New Testament. But what about those who never had the opportunity to receive it: like babies who died before baptism, or the millions who have lived in non-Christian nations or cultures over the centuries? We believe they will have the chance to be baptized as well. The Apostle Paul spoke unmistakably about this doctrine:

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” – 1 Corinthians 15:29

Far from them being unlucky or even damned, we believe that our Heavenly Father is perfectly loving and merciful, as well as perfectly just, and that we, the living, can perform saving ordinances on their behalf in holy temples. For this reason, Mormons spend a great deal of time and untold resources searching out our deceased family members, in order to perform baptisms, gospel instruction, marriages, and family sealings in the temple. We believe that someday, with the Lord’s help, this work will be extended to all the generations back to Adam, connecting the entire human race in one great family.

These ordinances are not a way of “forcing” anyone into our church, but are performed out of love, and are then available if they choose to accept them. It is entirely their choice.

Why is Family History Important?

I guess the reason that “Coco” struck such a chord with me is that everything we do in our church revolves around family. I don’t believe that heaven is simply a harp-filled, cloud-constructed eternity, and that idea never really appealed to me anyway. What matters most to me is my family, and much like Mama Imelda and her husband, heaven would not be heaven for me without them beside me.

So why is family history important?

It is important because we believe that families can be together forever, that the dearest relationships we form in this life were given to us by God and are meant to last much, much longer than “’till death do us part.”

And just as the skeletal ancestors in “Coco” searched every corner of their world to find and help their lost family member, we also search every corner of our world to find those who went before us, those to whom we owe so much, and help them.

It All Starts With You

Family relationships are some of the most important you will ever make, but in addition to serving our dead relatives, what about our living ones? There are all different types of families, including estrangements, divorces, single parents, and difficulties of all sorts. But no matter what your own family situation, you can start today to build or rebuild positive relationships with your family members, work your way towards forgiveness, and make family a top priority in your life. You cannot control what they do, but you can control what you do.

The gospel of Jesus Christ will help you do this. He will increase your capacity for patience, for forgiveness, and love, and help you know how to act as you sincerely reach out with prayer and faith and work to strengthen your family both in this world and the next.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Here are additional resources on afterlife and family history that you might be interested in:
• What happens when we die?
• FamilySearch.org: Free Family History and Genealogy Records

And feel free to contact us if you have more questions about our beliefs.

The post A Mormon’s Take on “Coco”: The Afterlife and Eternal Family appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Those aspirations came and went, and I am now a parent. It was in 2011 that I first became a mother. After 28 hours of labor, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy! My husband and I were ecstatic, and so excited to bring him home from the hospital.

Signs and Symptoms

We called him Eli. He was my first born and I felt so inexperienced with babies. I learn from other moms including my own mother and had to learn as I went along. Eli was a sweet and playful toddler, and his development seemed completely normal. Until other moms would compare their kids to mine. When that happens, no matter how well-meaning some mom friends are, at times you can’t help but be concerned also. So you keep on observing your own kid.

By the time Eli turned two, it was obvious that he was different than other kids his age. He made repetitive noises over and over. His speech was delayed. He would flap his hands when he got excited. He walked on his tiptoes. He did not really make eye contact with others and he played with his toys differently by lining them up instead. He was easily distracted. Whenever he was introduced to other kids, he’d take whatever the kid was holding and examine it without a word, instead of playing with the child. He was a hyperactive toddler with no sense of danger, and seemed to be all over the place. He would lie on the floor at church just to feel the cold floor tiles on his face, or climbing windows in the classrooms. He lived in his own world.

A good friend of my husband suspected autism, but I was still in denial. I told my husband, “Whatever Eli will be, we will still love him.” I was more excited about the possibility of my baby going on a mission at 18. So we left it at that. Later, I decided to find out on my own. I did some research online regarding childhood developmental stages. When I found out from the M-Chat questionnaire that he was high risk for autism, I decided to take him to a developmental pediatrician.

It Is Confirmed

When the doctor confirmed his condition, I felt numb. Even though I was bracing for it, I still felt at a loss. My husband and I didn’t know what to say. How did it happen? What do we do now? Will he live independently? Will he go on a mission? Will he marry? Questions I couldn’t bear to ask, I didn’t know where to begin. The doctor recommended early intervention therapy for Eli, and we left  the doctor’s clinic. My husband was still schedule to work the night shift, and I had to go back home to feed the kids and put them to bed. I didn’t cry, I was too stunned.

As much as we worried about how to fund our son’s therapy, I kept myself busy for two weeks after that diagnosis day. I was invited to attend a seminar for parents with autism conducted by the Autism Society Philippines in our area so I went, and tried to learn about the condition. I wanted to understand it; perhaps there would be some solution. I learned that unfortunately autism has no cure, but it can be managed. I learned that I was NOT the one having a hard time, but my child was. Because even though this world is overwhelming for him, he is a hero for trying his best to cope and to live. They just simply think differently than others. As Temple Grandin coined it, “They are different, but not less.”

I didn’t cry for two weeks. I didn’t allow myself to grieve over the news. I wanted to accept his condition but I don’t want to feel pity about it. I wanted to act as if everything was ok.

During That Quiet Moment

Days passed, then came another Sunday. While sitting inside the quiet sacrament hall, Eli had a meltdown. It happened while the bread was being passed. While he lay crying on the floor I only looked at him. I felt overwhelmed by a responsibility like him. Then tears came rolling down my face, and I couldn’t even pick him up somehow. My husband saw me but he couldn’t comfort me during those moments because he was sitting on the stand that day.. The Lord chose that particular Sunday to let me really process things and grieve. Perhaps He wanted me to understand that grieving is important. “It is overwhelming right now but it’s going to be ok,” He said.

A kind sister in the ward picked Eli up and took him outside in the hall. After the sacrament, I went out and found them in the bathroom where she was letting Eli play with water in the sink to calm him down.

He Taught Us, More Than We Can Teach Him

Eli is now 6 years old and doing much better now that we’ve adjusted to our new “normal.” We have accepted his condition as a family. I don’t get oversensitive about it anymore, only sometimes. He finally started verbalizing words at 4 years old, articulating about the things he likes and doesn’t like. He reads like a third grader and can sing. There are still times he finds it hard to express himself, but he is really doing his best. There have been many developments that I have seen. Still, there are so many things to work on. Some days are still harder than others.

We don’t try to hide his condition from him either. He knows he has autism. I don’t know whether he thinks it’s normal to have it or he thinks maybe everyone has it too, so it’s ok. In fact, I learned that some disabilities are not visible to the eyes. I have learned to be an advocate for autism. I learned that once a parent is able to accept the facts about this disability, they can better help their child by finding the right treatment. Denial does not help; a parent in denial will also deny anything that will help their child correct behaviors and cope with the disability.

A child with autism sees the world differently, but they are just like any other person who wants to be loved, and enjoy things like any other kid.

A scripture in Isaiah 11:6 says: “…and a little child shall lead them.”  I thought I would be a teacher for my son, but it is actually the other way around. He is a teacher to us, his parents. As we let him take our hands and show us, we are amazed. I thank Heavenly Father every day for an gift like Eli.

The post LDS and Raising a Child on the Spectrum – Our Autism Story appeared first on morefaith.ph.

One of the fun things about that family home evening game is that Papa would usually assign us specific roles. He always filled the role of the captain. Mama was often assigned to be a “watchman.” Us older kids were Papa’s “assistants.” Our little brothers, on the other hand, were the ones to tell Papa where the sharks were. You can imagine how loud our shrieks and screams were whenever Papa would shout “The shark is near! Protect Liam and Louie!” My sister and I would then do our best to keep our brothers away from the “shark.”

It has been more than a decade since we last played that activity as a family, however, I can still remember the game, not only because it was super fun, but because of the lessons I learned from it. As the years rolled on, that game has slowly became a reality, spiritually speaking.

Spiritual Sharks Are Real

In this generation, families are indeed in a boat that is vulnerable to spiritual sharks lurking in rough seas. These spiritual sharks are so cunning that sometimes, we don’t realize how dangerous they can be. The world and its philosophies may, at times, tell us that the sharks are safe and that you can actually pet them. Families should help warn each other that spiritual sharks are not just make believe. They actually exist and family members need to protect each other from this danger.

Parents Guide, Siblings Remind

Both my father and mother played important roles in the game to make sure we were all led to safety. I realized later that in order to protect the family from spiritual sharks, parents must be brave enough to point out where the spiritual sharks are. Parents, like the captain, should also know which way to steer the boat. Children need their parents’ firm stand when it comes to moral issues. Children need parents who will help them get back on the right track, no matter how difficult and painful it is.

But the role “guardian of virtue” isn’t only for mothers and fathers. This responsibility can also include siblings. What I like most about our game was that no matter how little we were back then, Papa was confident enough to assign our brothers’ well-being to us. Growing up, I took the role of “guardian of virtue” pretty seriously. I was often the “makulit,” “masermon” big sister. I knew my brothers’ potentials and I wanted to protect them from spiritual sharks. Siblings should help remind each other of who they are and why they should stay away from edges that would make them an easy target for spiritual sharks.

Family Home Evening Game: Lesson For Life

One of the things we looked forward to at the end of the game were the words “We have reached the island safely!” Aren’t these words comforting, especially for those who have just traveled through a dangerous sea? Raising a righteous family at this time can feel like being on a boat that traverses shark-infested territory. Spiritual sharks are everywhere. However, when parents courageously stand for what is right, when siblings become each other’s “guardian of virtue,” crossing the sea safely is possible.

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