“Education is Very Important”

One of the stories that inspires me in the pursuit of education is that of two women – sisters who held on to their desire to attain that which they deemed to be of great importance.

Sister Cherry Lyn Morin-Elem and Sister Yolindina “Jona” Morin-Javaluyas endured a lot of challenges during their younger years. Their family joined the Church when they were in high school and the things they learned at Church helped them carry on despite the loss of their father and the inconvenience of sending themselves to school. Despite all the hardships, they graduated with their desired degrees and are successful in their fields of expertise – business and finance – while serving as wives, mothers, and servants in the Lord’s Kingdom.

This is their story:

”Even when we were very young, we already knew the importance of education. Maybe because we’d heard from our parents that it was one way we could improve our lives. The teachings of the Church also played a major role in how we viewed education. We always knew that education would play a big role in what we would become in our future life.”

“Our father died when I was 18,” Sister Jona explained. “I was a 3rd year College student at Mindanao State University (MSU) in General Santos City. Life became more difficult without the breadwinner of the family. Shortly after his death, my mother got sick and was temporarily paralyzed. Her small ukay-ukay business, which sold ready-to-wear clothes and second-hand garments, was closed. We had to move to MSU Iligan City, then eventually to MSU Marawi City to continue our studies because my father’s sister offered us some allowance and food assistance so we could continue to go to College. There were days when I went to school without food in my stomach because many times we hesitated to ask assistance from our Aunt because of “kaulaw” (embarassment). Hunger was an ordinary thing for me. Life was very difficult, we couldn’t afford to buy new clothes. New shoes were already a luxury. But hunger was the most difficult thing we experienced. It almost made me quit school.”

The Value of Hard Work and Grit

Sister Cherry recalled that they stayed focused on the goal in mind. To earn, she approached her landlord and asked if she could babysit his two-year-old child and do the laundry in exchange for free food and board for her and her sister. She even made fruit salad and “binignit” (a Filipino delicacy made from sticky rice and root crops) that she sold for profit. Sister Cherry acknowledged that part of their staying power was their desire to work hard so they could also pay their tithes. She even taught institute classes on campus where she had 6 students whom she remembers very vividly until now. The sisters make it a point to keep the Sabbath Day holy by not doing school work on Sundays even if it meant they had to settle for a lower grade. There were people who saw how Sister Cherry and Sister Jona worked and stayed focused and these people helped and supported them in whatever means they could afford. This gave them hope that if they stay faithful and if they help each other, they’d be able to rise above every difficulty.

Lessons Learned More Precious Than That of Their Degree

“We learned many things as we went through those tough times: patience, faith, perseverance, humility, contentment, hard work, and endurance are a few of them. We needed to be patient and have faith that the Lord would bless us in His own due time. We knew that as long as we did our part with patience, all our efforts would be rewarded. The only reward we asked for was to finish a College degree which was eventually given to us. But during the process, we needed the principle of perseverance and endurance. We needed to keep on holding to the faith that we were in the Lord’s hand and that He would carry us through all of the hardships. We needed to be humble when at times we saw our roommates having good food while we could only eat a humble meal wrapped in a plastic bag. We needed to be humble when we couldn’t have nice clothes while others were well provided and we needed to borrow clothes for special events like our graduation. From our shoes to our dresses, almost everything was borrowed. Life was really hard but the Lord taught us that as long as we desired to do what was right He would bless our efforts. We learned and those experiences have blessed us beyond our comprehension. It has made us better versions of who we were. We are now able to teach our children that sometimes it’s okay not to be okay. We have become more compassionate of others who are going through hardships and share whatever we can give however little. It made us more grateful for all the blessings that we now enjoy. It taught us to keep ourselves grounded because we know that all of these blessings come from the Lord.”

Doors of Opportunities Opened

“Finishing school gave us better opportunities when it comes to work.” added Sister Jona. “It also gives us an edge in regards to our work now. Me being a Financial Adviser and my Manang (elder sister) being a Businesswoman. I can better present my product because I am more confident. It has boosted my self-esteem. But more importantly I can teach my children the importance of education and to make sacrifices whenever necessary to achieve it.”

I am grateful to know these remarkable women. Their story made me realize that there is a silver lining, even in the bleakest of times. They are undeterred in their efforts to graduate and make their lives better.

When I look at my children and all the other students in their schools who graduated, I think of Sister Cherry and Sister Jona and tell myself that the future is bright. So whatever challenge you are facing right now in your pursuit for a good education, grow through it! Someday when you have crossed the bridge, you can wear it as a badge of honor – that you have hurdled the hardships. You have paid the price to better yourself by getting educated.

The post What does it take to get an education? – A Story of Two Sisters Who Paid the Price and Succeeded appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Sacred vs Secret

There is a vast difference between sanctity and secrecy. Those who perform ordinances inside Mormon temples do not divulge the activities to the public because they are sacred. These are available only to those who are worthy and have sincere intent. They are not secret because they need to be kept hidden. These ordinances are sacred because they need to be kept pure and undefiled. The blessings of temple ordinances are available to all. There is no bias or prejudice. Mormons follow specific steps to be worthy to enter temples. This process is a form of purification through which those who seek to come to the temple find joy and have their lives blessed.

So what goes on inside Mormon Temples?

Endowment

This ordinance is a beautiful reminder of who we are and why we are here on earth. Heavenly Father prepared a beautiful plan for us even before the world was created and the endowment teaches this eternal truth. This is a beautiful reminder that good will always prevail over evil. This session gives specific instructions to help us in this mortal life and as we prepare for the eternities. We make sacred covenants and become spiritually renewed in the process.

Eternal Marriage

Mormons perform eternal marriages inside temples. During the ceremony, a couple is bound for time and all eternity. The marriage performed here rises above “til death do us part”. As a man and a woman make sacred vows to each other, they also make covenants with the Lord. Couples married inside the temple are to put highest priority on their spouses, second only to their relationship with the Lord. Mormons believe that eternal marriage allows them to have their spouse and their future children bound to them forever as they are obedient to the laws of the Lord.

Family Sealing

Those whose parents were not originally married in the temple will have the same opportunities as those who have been through the ordinance of eternal marriage. This is called the sealing ordinance. Married couples are sealed for time and all eternity and if there are children, they too are sealed to their parents through this sacred ordinance. This ordinance binds families together so strongly that even death cannot separate them for long, giving them the precious promise that they can be together again in the next life, if they follow the commandments the best they can during their lives. Mormons put great importance on family relationships.

Vicarious Work

Mormons perform ordinances for the dead in temples. Those who have already departed no longer have the chance to perform sacred ordinances in the temple for themselves. They need the love and effort of those who are living. Inside the temple, this beautiful proxy work is possible. Living family members or friends of deceased persons perform baptism, confirmation, endowment, marriage, and sealing for the departed. They do all these ordinances in behalf of the dead. Mormons believe that the mercy and the love of God reaches even the afterlife. The vicarious work done in Mormon temples is a beautiful example of this.

As we look at the things that go on inside Mormon temples, we see how the Lord has prepared a way for His children to find joy and peace in this world. We see that He is mindful of the individual lives of His children. He has the perfect remedy for all our struggles and worries. Mormon temples are oases for personal healing and a source of strength for families. With these available to everyone, what goes on inside Mormon temples is no secret at all. It is a loving reminder that what is most important in this life is worth all of our effort and preparation.

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With a large number of Mormons in the Philippines, over 700,000 and growing, it is not hard to find one. You might be attending the same school with them or rubbing elbows at work. A simple inquiry on what they believe and why they are Mormons can spark a conversation. With that may come a desire to know more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – or Mormon church for short.

So how does one become a Mormon?

Get Referred

The Church mainly works through a referral system. This means that members refer interested friends and family members to the full-time missionaries. Full-time missionaries are the young people you see going about in pairs with name tags. They are there to teach everyone who is willing to hear the basic principles of the Gospel. They can also share to you what Mormons believe. Of course you can also approach full-time missionaries directly if you see a pair passing by. They will be more than willing to answer your questions.

You can also visit the Church website www.lds.org. or request a pair of missionaries to visit your home by visiting this site:

https://www.mormon.org/missionaries.

You can also have missionary lessons online by chatting with them on the same website.

Get Lessons and Make Commitments

The full-time missionaries will start teaching you the basic principles and doctrines of the Mormon Church. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions. With the lessons will come invitations for you to act upon them. You will be invited to apply the things that you are being taught. The missionaries will ask you to pray and ask the Lord if the things that you are hearing are true. You will also be invited to read The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is another book of scripture that compliments The Holy Bible in teaching about Jesus Christ.

Get Baptized

Baptism is an important step required for someone to be a member of the Mormon Church. To be baptized, one must finish all the missionary lessons. You must have completed all the commitments that have been extended to you, and attended church meetings on Sundays. Worthiness for baptism is determined by interviews with the missionaries. You will also have the opportunity to talk to the leader of the congregation you will belong to.

The process of deciding to be baptized is different for everybody. For some it is a smooth journey of only a couple of months. But for some it may take years as they learn more and decide to follow Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Baptism in the Mormon Church is by immersion, the same way that Jesus Christ was baptized when He was on earth. Members of the congregation can come as well as anyone else the person to be baptized wants to invite. Then priesthood holders will lay their hands upon the newly baptized member’s head and give him or her the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Get Going on the Path

Being baptized into the Mormon Church is not an end but a beginning. On the journey towards baptism, you get the chance to act upon the things you know. And that process will continue even after you become a member of the Church. You can continue to make and keep sacred covenants with the Lord and draw closer to Him. It isn’t always easy, and we all stumble and make mistakes along the way. But the Lord has also given us the gift of repentance. Repentance allows us to continue moving forward and upward in our lives, following the example of the Savior. Mormons believe and strive towards change. They work for the kind of change that enriches and alters lives for the better, a change of perspective, “a mighty change of heart.”

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To ministering brothers and sisters, this active member still needs you.

Like you, I always thought that I no longer needed to visit those members who were always there on Sundays, and who were involved in their Church callings and responsibilities. It is safe to say that I often assumed that with their strong testimony of the gospel, they no longer needed what I had to say.

But ministering friends, this active member still needs you.

We all have daily struggles not often seen during Sunday services. It is always refreshing when someone visits to remind us what matters most in life — the gospel. Don’t hesitate to share your testimony, no matter how simple you think it is. It is a blessing when we see your great love and commitment to the Lord. We may not say it, but your example of service and love for the gospel strengthens us too — especially during times of unspoken struggles.

Yes, in times of struggles, this active member still needs you.

Our smiling faces and positive outlook in life may make you skip our names on the list, but please remember that visiting us can be a balm in Gilead. Some of you may be worried that the help you’re offering — financially and spiritually — may not be enough, but please know that even faithful members of the Church can still find comfort in a big tight hug, a simple home-cooked meal, or a sweet, sincere question like “How are you doing?”

Your simple acts of kindness can go a long way. Your efforts to reach out to us help us feel loved and cared for. Sometimes, what a weary soul really needs is just someone who reaches out in love.

This active member looks up to you.

You may think that because some members are so strong in the faith, no simple visit, no ordinary lesson will be enough. But sometimes, more than the lesson, there’s another thing that counts: your effort to serve. As we see you serving with all your might despite financial limitations or physical challenges, you show us Christlike love. When you come to us, even without knowing what we truly, deeply feel, you help us realize the truth that indeed, the Lord sends angels to rally for us when we feel downtrodden.

So to the ministering members, if ever you feel too inadequate to visit an active member of the Church, please be strengthened by this beautiful quote by Sister Virginia Jensen: “[Members] in all life circumstances have opportunities to nurture and build others within their sphere of influence.”

We too need your care, your testimony, and your example. We believe in you. We believe in the blessings that will come as you extend your ministering efforts to us. Come knock on an active member’s door soon.

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As I knelt to pray, the only thing I could do was to pour out all my worries to God and try to find confirmation that the road I was about to take was the road He wanted me to take. I had asked this many times before, and the answer had always been the same-that indeed it was the right thing for me. But I was not too sure. This time, I wanted assurance. However, He gave me something else that I needed: courage. The Holy Ghost whispered to me, “You’ll be fine.” Oddly enough, I truly felt that I would be fine.

Looking back at that short moment of struggle, the Holy Ghost’s reassurance gave me a strong push in the direction I knew He wanted me to go. There will be times in our lives when we will go through changes, be stripped of everything familiar or be thrown far from our comfort zones because it is necessary. In all our pursuits, tough as they may seem, if we keep the Holy Ghost as our companion, we will truly be fine.

RECEIVING PERSONAL REVELATION

When I was first introduced to the idea of going to study in China, I dismissed it immediately. I did not even entertain the idea. The little knowledge I had about China told me to steer away and choose another path. I thought, “China? Facebook, Youtube and Google are blocked there. Why on earth would I go to such a place?” However, my mother counseled me to ask the Lord if it was still a good opportunity for me.

Day by day, I prayed and patiently waited for an answer. I asked again and again, “Heavenly Father, should I go? What should I do for me to know if this is really the right decision or not?” It took me a whole month to receive an answer. It was during General Conference, last October. Particularly when Elder Neil L. Andersen’s spoke about President Nelson’s quick response to prophetic counsel:

“President Spencer W. Kimball challenged all present to lengthen their stride in taking the gospel to the entire world. Among the countries President Kimball specifically mentioned was China, declaring, ‘We should be of service to the Chinese. We should learn their language. We should pray for them and help them.’”

I thought it was a funny coincidence, but I knew it was the Lord giving me an answer. Elder Nelson’s talk wasn’t even about this solely, but I felt as if the words were spoken specifically for me to hear. It was a personal revelation, from Him, through the Holy Ghost.

President Russell M. Nelson could not have described what it means to receive personal revelation better, “Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen!… As you repeat this process you will “grow into the principle of revelation.”

THE HOLY GHOST IN ALL OUR PURSUITS

Personal revelation comes in many forms, but it will always come because we have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I was taught by this experience of mine, that in everything that I do-in all my pursuits- the Holy Ghost should always be present. Then will we be guided spiritually no matter what we do, no matter where we are in the world.

Of course, even after receiving a clear answer, I still worried about not being able to go to Church every Sunday. There were still things that I was afraid of, unfamiliar with and anxious about. However, a month after I arrived, I was able to find a local Mormon congregation in a country where the LDS church is not
established yet.

Truly, “the Lord will assist us in all our righteous pursuits, through the revelations of the Holy Ghost,” as President Nelson said. President Nelson continues to encourage us to “to stretch beyond [our] current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation” and if we do so, we will be given the “knowledge and understanding [we] seek.” 

The post From Home to China: Keeping the Holy Ghost in All My Pursuits appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Their journey to the promised land could be likened to our journey back to our heavenly home, and the ship to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our journey does not include actual waves of the sea, but waves of challenges and trials that test us to our core. Some are the result of unwise choices, some are consequences of disobedience, some are the result of others’ actions, and sometimes they are simply a part of the experience of life.

When those trials and challenges strike, are we going to stay on the ship of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we going to stay committed to the covenants we made at baptism? Are we going to continue holding to our faith as we face the trials of this life? If we choose to exercise faith in the Lord and trust that the ship of the gospel will eventually help us reach the promised land we have so longed for, we will be protected from the harsh waves of temptation and spiritual chaos just as Noah, Nephi, and the brother of Jared, were protected on their ships from the unforgiving waters of the sea.

The gospel of Jesus Christ provides protection from false traditions, beliefs, and concepts. It teaches us truths about our divine identity, the individual identities of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the Plan of Salvation, the necessity of the Fall of Adam, the need for physical death, and many other precious things. It provides comfort and understanding in times of confusion. It helps us to know God better and draws us closer to Him.

If we ever find ourselves thinking of jumping off the ship to escape the terrible storms of life, we need to recognize that the storms are harder to deal with outside the ship. Without the gospel of Jesus Christ, the light that guides us on our journey, the Holy Ghost, will slowly fade and mists of confusion will gradually cloud our understanding and decisions. Outside the ship, we can more easily be swallowed up by the waves of trials.

Staying on the ship doesn’t mean our lives will be easy. Nephi faced many trials while on their ship. He was bound by his elder brothers and almost thrown into the sea. We will still be tested in this life, but staying on the ship will help us see through a spiritual lens the lessons that God is trying to teach us. May we always have the firm resolve to hold to our faith and stay on the ship of the gospel no matter the storms that come into our lives.

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