Words from Elder Neal Lambson in the Philippines

"Earlier in church today a young man got up and bore his testimony.  It was a heart felt one, and eventhough he spoke in Tagalog, I felt the truthfulness of what he said.  I was sitting on the stand, and I noticed the sister next to Claire, was constantly leaning over and speaking to her.  I also noticed that Sister was all tearey eyed, and quite emotional herself.  After the meeting, I asked Sister why she was so emotional with what the young man had said.  The young man, I'm guessing was about 25, had joined the church about 4 years ago.  At some time, he had become tongue-tied  and could not speak or utter a word.

After his baptism, things just didn't seem to go very well for him.  He worked really hard in the rice fields, and pretty much bore the burden of providing fully for his family at home.  He stayed active in the church no matter what.  It had been raining hard for some time, and one particular day he was bringing his Caribau out of the fields.

The pathway between the fields was narrow and elevated somewhat.  The animal got to close to the edge and slipped down the embankment into a deep hole.  It was in that predicament and could get out.  Its head barely sticking out of the mud and water.  He pulled and tugged with all his effort to no avail.  He could not call for help because he could speak.  He could not pay a passer by for his help because he had no money.  He decided to pray.  He pleaded with Heavenly Father for help, and to know what to do, and for someone to come along who could help him.  He struggled tirelessly without success.Timed passed without anything happening.  He then got the impression to tie its head up high, leaving no slack in the rope.  He then got behind the animal and beat it liberally.  It began to move a little, struggling to get a foot hold in the slick muddy embankment.  The animal would make a little progress and then he would run up front and tighten the rope again.  After a long ordeal, he and the caribou were standing on high ground again, free from the hole that kept them bound.

As time went on, his tongue began to loosen; and with time now, and it was evident today that the promise which is given to those who are faithful, would, when called upon open their mouth and as the Savior said, I will fill them with the words that you should say.  What a promise.  That promise is contingent upon our preparation, our faithfulness, and our receptiveness to the promptings of the Spirit.

Sister and I had visited a less active family several days ago, and this evening I went out with the Elders to visit them.  Out into the jungle we went, and came to their humble abode.  We were most cordially welcomed, and we went inside to sit down.  This family haas a tatay, and a nanay with 5 girls and 4 boys.  Two of the girls are members of the church.  As I was sitting there, I noticed taped to the wall, certificates, and metals; not the kind that you generally see is some fancy frame, just taped there.  The medals are the kind that is placed around your neck.  After the discussion, I asked what they were all about, and the mother in her broken english proudly explained.  Three of their oldest children were out of the home and on their own; all college graduates.  Presently the next two older ones are in college, both will graduate come April.  The little girl (Meda) setting next to me was in the first year of high school, and was the Valedictorian of her 8th grade graduating class.  The medals were hers.  I was so impressed with the obvious emphasis that is placed on the importance of a higher educaation in that shanty of a home.  They are a part member family, and a return appointment was made for the missionaries to return and teach the rest of the family.

Times throughout history armies have come together in battle.  Anciently, opposing forces would strategically position them selves on a high place where they could overlook the battle field.  It is called the high ground.  They would position archers in a certain place, with infantry close by, followed by horseman bearing swords and axes, then the foot soldier with knives and clubs would bring up the rear. Each side had a battle plan, and correct implementation or incorrerct implementaton of that plan could mean victory or defeat.  Positioned overseeing the battle field were the Rulers, Kings, Lords or Commanding Officers.  Also close by would be trumpeters who when called upon would trump the battle call.  When the time came the rulers would signal to a trumpeter who would blow his horn signaling to the archers to let fly their deadly darts.  Then another signal to the infintry with a trump of a different sound.  Forward they would charge bringing down upon the enemy hoofs of death and bloodshed.  Next with a different battle trump the foot soldier would be called to charge in and bring an end to their opposing forces.  Imagine for a moment if someone snuck in behind enemy lines, and in disguise position himself in amongst the trumpeters.  When the signal was given for a call to charge, he sounded his trumpet.  It had a different sound to it, it just wasn't right.  No one advanced forward to take their place in the battle.  They did not recognize the battle call.  Perhaps with that split indecision, the opposing forces could muster up an offensive charge and take over and win the battle.

The Apostle Paul said "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? "There are ... so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification." In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; We are living in the last days, and they are precarious and frightening. The shadows are deepening, and the night creeps in to envelop us.

Whose call or trump will we listen to and recognize when sounded?  Do we listen to the call of the world that says "Is chastity outmoded?" The answers: "Morals have changed; virginity is on the way out. Love is in." "Virgins are really weird." "There are few people these days who are virtuous." One girl said, "Chastity is outdated because in these enlightened days, people are freer".  Or do we listen to the Father of all Spirits who says "Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight.

good brother with his wife were desirious to attend the temple for the first time, and there be sealed together, as a family.  Since the temple was so far away though, it seemed that that goal was very unlikely that they could ever afford to go. They were poor as most Filippinos are.  His hard work as a farmer bearly provided enough food to feed his family.  What to do?  They faithfully paid their tithing, and things always seemed to work out, however, there was nothing left over at the end of each month.  They determined, no matter wha, they were going to the temple; so their leap of faith began.  We will save p5 ($.13) each day for two years they decided. With that savings we will be able go to Manila and be sealed for Time and Eternity.  Each week in FHE they would sing with their children the hymn, "I love to see the Temple, I'n going there Someday." And they did just that. Two years later their dreams of an Eternal Family happened.

It is so easy and convenient to pop into the car, turn on the air conditioner, and leisurely drive the short distance to the temple.  How often times we take that blessing of just getting there for granted.  It is not a 13 hour ride in a hot, sweltering, crowded, smelly, noisy jeepney; we do not need to carry our little rations of food to feed ourselves during that time, nor do we need to sleep on the cultural halls hard floor when we get there. Once we are there, the 4-5 days are like heaven to us.  The spirit of the temple, and what take place there, makes all those other things seem insignificant.

Elder Lambson"