Elder Renlund Encourages Filipinos to Focus on the Savior

Focusing on the Savior and helping others on the covenant path were key messages from Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during a June 10-18 ministry assignment to the Philippines, home to more than 853,000 Latter-day Saints.

“We don’t have to do everything, but we can do something to help somebody through the covenant path,” he said. “Let us love them, share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them, and invite them to make sacred covenants.”

The Apostle addressed about 400 Latter-day Saints during a devotional with the Bacoor Philippines, San Gabriel Philippines and Las Piñas Philippines stakes, which are south of Manila.

The covenant path includes making and keeping the ordinances and covenants that lead to the celestial kingdom, he taught.

Elder Renlund 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 Bishop L. Todd Budge, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, along with their wives.

The leaders were accompanied at various times by the Philippines Area Presidency: Elder Steven R. Bangerter, President, Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, First Counselor, and Elder Carlos G. Revillo, Second Counselor, who are all General Authority Seventies. 

“The devotional confirmed to me that I am a daughter of God, said Mhel Rose Gaso of the Talisay Philippines Stake. “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 Saturday, June 17, more than 900 people attended a devotional at the Butuan Philippines Stake Center on the southern Mindanao island and via Zoom.

Elder Renlund encourages members 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,” he said.

Aljohn Saure, a returned missionary of the Alegria Branch, Placer Philippines District, said, “The most important lesson I took away was the need to build a sure foundation, honor His covenant, and become like Him.”  

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 that “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, “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.”

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Gathered with Saints from the Cabanatuan and Gapan stakes and the Bongabon District on June 14 in the Cabanatuan Philippines Stake Center, Elder Johnson shared how his grandparents found strength in their faith after discovering the teachings of Jesus Christ with those

“When we attend the temple and receive our temple blessings, there are great and powerful promises given, Elder Johnson said. “And when God makes a promise, He keeps it.”

On June 15, Elder Johnson addressed some 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. He encouraged them to center their lives on Jesus Christ and His Atonement and to make and keep sacred covenants.

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On Negros island, Bishop Budge spoke to members in the Bacolod stakes and mission on June 17, encouraging Latter-day Saints there to keep their “eyes firmly focused upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and to come unto Him” in all aspects of their lives.

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