During his recent mission in the Philippines, Elder Ulises Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified of the Savior Jesus Christ and the divine identity of each person as a son or daughter of God. He also encouraged people to seek spiritual guidance when making important decisions in life.
Referring to the outstretched arms of the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Elder Soares said the Savior Jesus Christ is willing to accept all people.
“The arm of the Lord is extended to all of us,” Elder Soares told young people in Cebu, Philippines, the church’s Philippine Newsroom reported. “It is our sincere hope that tonight, through our comments, our testimonies, and the Spirit of the Lord, you can feel the arms of the Lord around you.”
The apostle’s nearly two-week ministry in mid-May included meetings with youth in both Cebu in Central Visayas and Quezon City in Metro Manila. I teach missionaries at the Philippine Missionary Training Center.
Elder Soares was accompanied by his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, and Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Shelley Nash. Elder Soares was also accompanied at various events by General Authority Seventy members of the Philippine Area Presidency and their wives, as well as Area President Elder Carlos G. Revilo, Jr. and his wife, Sister Marie Revilo. Counselor Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong and his wife, Sister Carol Lou Wong. Elder William K. Jackson, also a counselor, and his wife, Sister Ann Jackson.
“Turn your hearts to the Savior”
In Cebu, on May 16, more than 600 young single adults from the eastern region of Cebu gathered at the Lapu-Lapu Philippine Stake Center.
“We are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father,” Elder Soares said. “We have a divine identity. We were born with the goal of returning to God’s presence and becoming like Him.”
Elder Soares also taught that all of God’s children are called to draw near to the Savior by obeying the commandments, regardless of their personal circumstances.
On May 23 in Quezon City, Elder Soares answered questions from 450 young single adults from six stakes. According to the church’s Philippine Newsroom, the questions included topics such as faith in Jesus Christ, having hope and enduring life’s trials.
When asked if they can have hope for the future while striving to keep the commandments, Elder Soares said, “Trials and disappointments are a part of life,” and reminded the youth to rely on Jesus Christ.
“Turn your hearts to the Savior, for He understands pain,” Elder Soares said, teaching that Jesus Christ “understands physical, emotional, and spiritual pain.”
Elder Soares also encouraged people to let their faith in Jesus Christ influence those around them.
“Start being a light to those around you,” he said. “Let your light shine and invite others to come to know Jesus Christ through your exemplary life.”
In Cebu, Angel Reshamai Alba of the Reloan Philippine Stake said the devotional prayer gave her peace and hope for the future. “Tonight gave me peace of mind about my future,” Alba said, adding, “I look forward to better days.”
Hiram Ballesteros Tandog, 23, of Quezon City, said Elder Soares’ message encouraged him to continue to trust in the Lord.
“Choose the Lord first. Heavenly Father will support us. He will help us in our life choices,” Tandog said.
Learn to Recognize the Spirit
Elder Soares and Elder Nash taught more than 340 missionaries on May 20 at the Philippine Missionary Training Center. The missionaries included full-time missionaries in training, senior missionary couples and young service missionaries, the church’s Philippine Newsroom reported.
Elder Soares encouraged missionaries to seek the companionship of the Holy Spirit by studying the Word of the Lord. Quoting Doctrine and Covenants 11:21, he said, “Do not proclaim My words, but seek first to receive My words.”
Elder Soares likened the need for spiritual guidance to a smartphone’s dependence on a network connection.
“Just as a smartphone cannot reach its full potential unless it is connected to a network, we as missionaries cannot truly fulfill our missionary purpose unless we are continually influenced by the Holy Spirit, both during our missionary work and throughout our lives,” he said.
Missionaries also need to help those they teach recognize spiritual impressions.
“The Lord works through His Spirit, and our role as missionaries is to be instruments in His hands, to love people and help them recognize the sacred nature of the emotions they are experiencing,” he said.
The country is home to more than 905,000 Latter-day Saints, the fourth largest group of any church in the world. During the same month Elder Soares was serving in the Philippines, two temples were dedicated by other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. On May 2, the Davao Philippines Temple will be led by Elder Dale G. Renlund, and on May 31, the Bacolod Philippines Temple will be led by Elder Neil L. Andersen.
