Urdaneta Philippines Temple

The temple has now become more within our reach. Let us center our lives to Him and in the works being performed in the Holy House of the Lord. ❤️

Blind for seven years, Maria Teresa Buena C. Aguilar, 42, a returned missionary from Urdaneta City said, "it is my strength," referring to her weekly visit to the Urdaneta Temple.

Maria specifically asked her employer for a Sunday off from work. It took awhile and lots of prayers before she received what she's been asking for. She requested for another day off on a weekday so she could attend the temple. Her request was again granted.

She shared that before the temple started its full operations, she committed to visit regulary. Her older sister accompanies her.

Just yesterday, her only son was diagnosed with mild autism. Her husband whom she married in Manila Temple, passed away on the operating table in 2020, and her mother died of cancer the following year. She humbly and tearfully shared, "Why all of these happen to me?"

But she still draws strength from going to church regularly, bearing her testimony each month, reading the scriptures, praying, and going to the temple weekly.

One time a customer in the massage spa where she's working at, told her how unfortunate she is being bombarded by trials. Maria firmly replied that she actually feels blessed.

She shared that it's her 12-year old child that kept her going, whom she last saw when he was six years old, before the demyelinating disease robbed her eye sight.

When asked why and how she kept herself strong and faithful despite of life's challenges she said, "To keep my covenants. To keep the commandments." ❤️

At age 18, Mark Spencer Gamboa from Rosales started volunteering as an ordinance worker in the Urdaneta Temple as soon as it started its full operations in May 2024.

After going with his parents to the Manila Temple weekly during Christmas break in 2023 to do proxy baptisms, he was inspired to prepare to be a volunteer ordinance worker just like them.

The temple presidency in Manila noticed his weekly presence and told him, "What you're doing is wonderful. Just continue doing ordinances in the temple because that's one of the ways you can prepare for your mission."

"That inspired me. I also felt the joy," Mark said.

Another thing that inspired him was his observations on his family. "I realized the changes in them since they served in the temple. They've become a lot happier and their personalities and attitude have greatly improved," he described.

Mark shared that aside from his personal desire to serve in the temple, his father encouraged and informed him that he can serve as an ordinance worker after his endowment in April 2024. "He's become my support in strengthening my desire to serve in the temple," Mark noted.

His father helped and reminded him of his interviews, and trained him as a temple ordinance worker.

"As I go to the temple, I'm able to stay worthy and build Christlike attributes which can help me become a diligent missionary," he said.

Mark added, "I feel joy serving in the Lord's House. The best way to prepare for your mission is to be in the temple."

Mark will enter the Missionary Training Center on June 19, 2024. ❤️

"Finally after 16 long years of waiting, the patriarch of our family who was baptized last year has now entered the House of the Lord with us to enter into the everlasting covenant of marriage and have our kids sealed to us," emotional Rezamere Daoana shared, after their family sealing at the Urdaneta Temple yesterday, June 4, 2024.

It was an answered prayer for the whole family. For her 14-year old son Xavi, it was an answer to his seven-year long fervent prayer.

He said with overflowing emotions right after their family was sealed, "We've waited for so long. I am so happy. Thank you, Mom and Dad."

There were no dry eyes in the sealing room that moment, after witnessing a family sealing which was more than a decade in the making.

"Robert and I wept with happiness now that we are both a covenant maker and keeper. We felt the love of our Father in Heaven and we are so grateful for our Savior’s atonement," Rezamere added. "No hearts will be left unturned. This is what happened to my husband. As soon as he opened his heart to hear the gospel, he has found his own testimony of it. And I am so glad he is walking in his own light and guiding our family towards the covenant path."

Robert said, "I married my wife three times in this lifetime but of those three, I am so blessed to marry her forever in the House of the Lord."

Two-and-a-half months ago, Xavi pointed to her parents the altar of the sealing room during their family visit to the Urdaneta Temple open house, conveying his yearning to be sealed to them and his 10-year-old sister, Bella; and just yesterday, they all knelt on the same altar and were bonded for time and all eternity. ❤️

Mark Gutierrez Martin from Tondo, Manila expressed to a friend his desire and goal to be endowed in May 2024, but on April 24, 2024 someone tragically took his life.

"I foresaw our family sealing but I've never imagined that we'd do it by proxy," his wife Nadine Gaddi Mallari Martin, Manila Temple ordinance worker, tearfully shared.

Mark's family attended the Urdaneta Temple Open House on March 22 and March 29, 2024.

When they entered the Celestial Room on their first visit, Mark had goosebumps. Nadine told him, "It's Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ telling you to enter His house," Nadine said, further encouraging him to work on getting endowed.

"We prayed together in the Celestial Room and stood in front of the infinity mirrors," Nadine described. She explained to him what the mirrors symbolize.

"He looked at me and smiled," she said. "I know that he felt the Spirit."

In the Sealing Room, the couple kneeled on the altar. "This is just a reenactment," Nadine told Mark. "This is how we're going to do it on our sealing day."

The couple talked about going back to the Urdaneta Temple on May 15, 2024 for their anniversary and for their goal of family sealing.

But before such beautiful goal was realized, the unexpected disaster happened.

Nadine went to the Urdaneta Temple on May 15 alone. She tearfully walked into the Celestial Room, wishing her husband was there with him.

"I cried almost everyday," Nadine shared. She didn't understand why such tragedy suddenly happened to her family.

"I didn't understand the reason until my father who's been away from the Church for 28 years went back a week after Mark's passing," she said. "It was a miracle. It was just painful that someone has to go before someone comes back."

They had three wonderful children, Althea 13, Mark Allen 9, and Aldrich Kyle 7.

"I told the kids that someday we can be with their Dada when we're sealed in the temple," Nadine said. "That's the only comfort I can give them, knowing that we will be reunited as a family."

She continued, "Whenever I feel the pain, the only thing that I hold on to is the truth that families can be together forever."

Just three weeks after Mark passed away, Nadine went back to the Manila Temple ready to serve. Her fellow temple ordinance workers were surprised and expressed their concern that she might need more time to heal.

She replied, "I already need to go to the Temple."

She shared that in His house she finds comfort, relief, and rest.

"The pain is still there, but in the temple I feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's presence," she said. "The feeling is extraordinary when I'm there, especially when I serve."

Nadine promised his husband that she will guide their children, "raise them in the Church, and follow the covenant path."

And on May 25, 2024, Nadine was sealed to Mark and they were both sealed to their children.

Mark's parents were also sealed by proxy, and he was sealed to them. His sister was also sealed to her parents that same blesed day. It was also Nadine's parents' anniversary that day.

The Martin family recreated their photo taken during the Open House with a standee of Mark which was a gift from a friend. Nadine put on the same dress she wore during her first visit to the Urdaneta Temple with Mark.

"I really felt Heavenly Father's great love for our family. It was indeed a miracle to be sealed exactly a month after my husband's death. I truly testify that anything is possible if we will trust the Lord's right timing," Nadine said. "I know that it was definitely His will for us to be sealed for time and all eternity." ❤️

“I wanted to go back and tour the temple again.” The following day after the conclusion of the Urdaneta Temple Open House, Ladyshara Mendoza of Urdaneta City expressed her longing to enter the House of the Lord again.

She was then of another faith when she visited the Temple three times during the Open House.

Almost two months had passed, she vividly recalled one of her tours of the temple and described how she stared with amazement at the painting of Jesus Christ in the baptistry. She showed much interest and joy to have experienced the temple.

Yesterday, May 25, 2024 with great joy she entered into the waters of baptism and is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When asked how her experience in the temple helped her to be converted into the Church, she said, “I felt the Spirit inside the temple. It gave me a greater desire to know more of Jesus Christ.”

In her testimony after her baptism, she read 1 Nephi 2:16 and shared that like Nephi she had that desire too, to know of the teachings of the Gospel and that desire lead her to act upon it and pray to know of the truth.

“I prayed, studied, and felt that through the Holy Ghost, the teachings I received are true.”

Now as a newly baptized individual she has two goals that she’s excited to accomplish - to be a missionary and share the word of God to the world; and to go back to the House of the Lord. ❤️

After 14 years, the Bautista family was finally complete at one special reunion during the final day of the Urdaneta Temple Open House, March 30, 2024.

The Baustista siblings who were all married in the temple now lived in different parts of the country, from Villasis, Pangasinan to Mandaluyong City, Antipolo City, to Tiwi, Albay.

"My father shedded a tear seeing all of us together," Namie Bautista Gramaje said.

She added, "He might not communicated it in words but I felt that he remembered my mother during that time."

The Bautista family is also looking forward to another great reunion. A reunion with their mother and the first-born child who passed away three hours after birth.

"We're striving to be faithful no matter what we encounter in life," Namie said. "I know this is the way we can be with my mother and brother someday."

She added, "If we remain true to the covenants we have made in the House of the Lord, I know we will be forever in the next life." ❤️

"The people inside the temple looked like angels!" eight-year old Abish Pineda commented, referring to the ushers of the Urdaneta Temple Open House.

Emmarie Tagura Pineda's family of three kids ages 10, 8, and 3 traveled for six hours from Abra to attend the event.

The family woke up at one in the morning and arrived at Urdaneta City around 7:30 in the morning. They were able to enter the temple at 12:30, as it was the busiest day on March 28, 2024 with over 13,000 visitors.

Her children were very excited, and patiently waited for their turn for the tour.

"I was worried about my youngest because he's typically very noisy," she said. "But I was surprised at how my kids behaved inside. For the entire tour, I didn't hear any word from them, not even a whisper."

She added, "They prayed silently in the Celestial Room. I saw my children as angels!"

"So that's how it feels like inside the Temple!" her 10-year old son Zhack said after the tour. "I felt the Spirit. It's so strong. Can we go here often?"

Emmarie shared, "It was one of the sweetest experiences we had as a family." ❤️

The Testimony of Shelly Galicia
Baguio City, Philippines

My mother and I were converts and have been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than a decade. We were introduced to the Church by my returned missionary boyfriend at the time, who is now my husband.

Even after being a member for so long, I found myself still yearning for more answers. Some of the questions that lingered in my head were: "What happens during a temple dedication?" and "Why are only Temple Recommend holders allowed to witness it?"

I attended the dedication of the Cebu Temple. I was a new convert at that time and was fortunate to attend because I held a current Temple Recommend.

Honestly, I did not fully appreciate the experience because I didn't understand what was happening—why people had white handkerchiefs, and why some were even crying?

This time, during the dedication of the Urdaneta Temple, I believed was the right time to have my questions answered.

My husband and I encountered some challenges during dedication.

I am not comfortable without my husband by my side, as he is my comfort in the Church. We needed to attend the dedication at a different time since we brought with us our baby girl. He attended the morning session, and I attended the afternoon session.

I was very eager to witness another temple dedication, and there was a burning desire within me. Knowing that I am not comfortable without my husband beside me, I was surprised to find myself very calm at that time.

From our house to the main road is a five-minute walk where we can catch a ride. My mother was with me, carrying my groggy toddler. It was the middle of the day and the temperature was very hot.

With a toddler in one hand and a bag of toddler stuff on the other, we raced to get in time for the session. The short walk felt like an eternity, but my burning desire to attend the dedication was stronger than the exhaustion, so I felt calm.

When we reached the Legarda Stake Center in Baguio City, I found my husband standing at the gate waiting for us. I felt calm again. I handed him our daughter and her things.

As my mother and I entered the chapel, smiling sisters approached us. We took our bags to the assigned area and only kept the important item for the dedication – the white handkerchief. As we settled into our seats, a feeling of complete calmness enveloped me.

At that moment, one by one, my questions started to be answered.

"Why are only Temple Recommend holders allowed to witness?" Because a temple dedication is sacred. It's a very intimate gathering that feels like being in the Celestial Kingdom.

While waiting for the session to start, pictures accompanied by heavenly music played on the projector. A realization struck me again, as my eyes became misty for no reason: "This is my cloud nine."

I felt so much joy and calmness.

As the session proceeded, my other questions regarding tithing were clearly answered. Tithing is essential to build temples where we make covenants and perform ordinances. It’s essential in building Heavenly Father’s Kingdom here on Earth.

What answered my question was the fact that the speakers referenced tithing from the Bible, not just the Book of Mormon.

The Plan of Salvation also became very clear to me. It was the first time that it truly sank in.

Despite how many times I attended temple preparation classes and agreed with the lessons, for me they felt repetitive.

But attending the dedication felt like a revelation to me—the importance of tithing is to build the Kingdom of Heavenly Father and to fulfill the Plan of Salvation.

The temple represents the cycle of salvation from beginning to end.

It was like a big bang! Everything came together inside me.

To those of you looking for answers or still searching for your pillars and rays, take your time collecting your questions. Your perfect time will come, and everything will be revealed right before your eyes.

This experience has added to my testimony about the truthfullness of the Church, the Book of Mormon, and our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. ❤️

The Testimony of LaVeida Terceño
Pianist, Urdaneta Temple Dedication

The moment I stepped inside the Temple, I couldn't help but reflect on my journey that led me here.

Before I was born, two missionaries of the Church gifted my mother a book of simplified Hymns. Despite feeling she was too old to learn herself, she was determined that her children would learn the piano. Thus, at the young age of six, I found myself enrolled in a nearby music school.

I had no idea that this humble beginning would set the stage for a significant chapter in my life. At the age of eight, I was called to serve as the ward pianist, and then the stake pianist a few years later. It was already a big responsibility for a child, but also a great blessing that I embraced wholeheartedly.

During our practices for the Urdaneta Temple Dedication, I had setbacks and self-doubt as some of the pieces were hard to play, especially when realizing I am playing an important role for the Temple Dedication. It has never been easy, especially during our early months of practicing. For a whole month or two I was unable to play the Hosanna Anthem perfectly.

However, through faith and prayer, I was able to press forward. Through perseverance and trust in the Lord's guidance, I overcome any struggle I faced in our practices. Whether it was mastering the piano sheets or life challenges, His guidance was my constant source of strength.

Fast forward to the Temple Open House and Dedication, as I played the piano, I could not help but feel thankful to my mother and those two missionaries who planted the seed of music in my life. I'm grateful serving using my talents.

In that sacred moment, during the Urdaneta Temple Dedication, I am not just a pianist, but a witness to the power of God’s love and the eternal significance of the ordinances performed and covenants made within the walls of His Holy House.

I testify that the dedication of this temple is a testament to the enduring love and mercy of our Heavenly Father, and I am humbled to have played a part in such a sacred event. Every bit from preparation to Open House to Dedication strengthened my faith in Him, and my dedication to serve Him. ❤️

Four pregnant volunteers who were members of the core team of the Usher Sub-Committee unanimously expressed that they didn't feel tired after a whole day of service during the Urdaneta Temple Dedication on April 28, 2024. They felt the same way when they volunteered during the Open House.

Jovelyn Mejorada, four months pregnant from Sto. Tomas said that they were very excited and happy during and after the event.

"We started preparing for the morning session as early as seven. We were standing until ten assisting guests," she shared.

They had a very quick lunch after the first session then prepared for the afternoon session from 12:30 to 1:30. But she didn't hear any complaints even from the pregnant mothers from the team.

"I didn't notice the many hours that went by because I was really happy to serve," shared six months pregnant Diana Faith De Leon from Dagupan City.

Kerry Del Rosario from Urdaneta City who was seven months pregnant mentioned, "Some visitors approached me and said 'Oh you're pregnant! You and your baby are so blessed!'"

She continued, "I truly felt blessed during the Dedication. I felt the Spirit. My baby kept moving inside me and seemed very excited about what's happening outside."

Five months pregnant Jane Solomon from Dagupan City shared that she kept encountering concerned Temple visitors and fellow volunteers when she served in the shoe cover area and ushered guests under the scorching sun during the Open House.

"God strengthened me. He was my source of strength," she shared.

Before the Dedication, she found out that she's carrying twins. "I felt a bit worried initially," she revealed. "But I received an assurance that my babies and I will be okay."

The main concern of these strong mothers however wasn't really their own situation. They were most worried about their little children who they needed to leave at home the whole day, whose ages range from one to six.

"We don't have family members living in or around Urdaneta, so my husband and I thought real hard on what to do. We decided to ask our family in Baguio City if we could leave our three small kids there for two days," Kerry relayed. "So we traveled Friday afternoon and went back to Urdaneta Saturday evening. The travel alone was tiring plus I was still a bit worried that my two-year old daughter will look for me crying."

But they were at ease since their children were with their families.

One of the fondest experiences these wonderful women cherished while serving was the several up-close and personal encounters with President Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Kristen Oaks.

Jane relayed, "My husband and I had the chance to assist President and Sister Oaks as they entered the Temple for the morning session. Tears fell down my eyes that moment because of overwhelming happiness. I really felt the Holy Ghost especially when Pres. Oaks shook my hands and briefly talked to me."

"We thought they would just be in the Celestial Room, but they actually went inside each room in the Temple before the morning and afternoon session started to greet everyone. We were all surprised!" Jovelyn shared.

Diana described, "When I saw President Oaks during the two sessions, I wasn't able to hold back my emotions, especially when he went to the Waiting Room of the Temple after the Dedication and thanked the volunteers. I was trembling inside because I strongly felt the love of the Lord through him."

She added, "I'll forever treasure in my mind and heart this experience." ❤️

Ms. Lyn Resurreccion of BusinessMirror interviewed President Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Kristen Oaks a few days prior to the dedication of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple.

Read it here:

Latter-day Saints new temple to serve 200,000 members around Pangasinan | Lyn Resurreccion The Filipino people love the Lord, their church leaders, and their family, and they are very loyal to their nation and to their church. These are the qualities of Filipinos that struck Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, the highest governing body of The Church of Jesus…

"I would like to go back here in the future and get married in the Sealing Room," 16-year-old Geno K. Daguro who was then of other faith, from Alcala, Pangasinan told his Godfather Arfe Castillo, after attending the Urdaneta Temple Open House on March 23, 2024.

"When I first saw the Temple, I thought it was really beautiful especially the angel on top," Geno described. "I felt something different. I felt peace of mind."

Geno was excited to enter because it was his first time to visit such edifice. He was amazed at the paintings that graced the walls of the Temple as well as the architectural work.

"It wasn't the typical temple that I expected it to be," he revealed. "It's because the more we explored, the more heavenly I felt within me. I could hardly explain the feeling."

When he entered the Celestial Room he was amazed at how beautiful it was, especially the mirrors. He asked his Godfather Arfe what the mirrors symbolize and he learned that they meant "eternity".

At the Sealing Room, that was where he was really astonished. "When the usher assisting us explained that it is where couples are married and sealed for eternity, that's when I got very interested. I instantly felt a desire for the missionaries to teach me!"

Geno shared that his parents were skeptical at first about the idea. "They eventually gave permission when they saw how eager I was," he noted.

He expressed that he would love to get married in the Sealing Room someday with his girlfriend.

"I'm really grateful for my Godfather Arfe who invited me and my family to the Temple," he said. "I'm also grateful for my parents for allowing me to be taught by the missionaries. I've learned a lot and I feel that I've become closer to and have known Heavenly Father better."

Arfe revealed, "Geno has never been introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before. He was just an ordinary teenager, an obedient son who barely goes out of the house. That's why I was pleasantly surprised about his instant desire to learn more about the church I belong to right after his temple visit."

Geno immediately had lessons with the missionaries on March 25, two days after his Temple tour, and accepted the Gospel and entered the waters of baptism on May 4, 2024. He was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 5, 2024. ❤️

*Geno's parents gave permission to publish this story on social media.

Orland and Grace Ancheta from Malasiqui celebrated their 24th year of temple marriage serving as Physical Facilities volunteers during the Urdaneta Temple Dedication on April 28, 2024.

"My wife and I prayed about it. We asked the Lord for a chance to attend the Dedication on our special day," Orland shared.

Then on April 27, they received an unexpected call from Jose Andaya, Physical Facilities Sub-Committee Chair, inviting them to serve on the Dedication day.

"We said 'yes' right away!" Orland exclaimed! "We told him that we'd love to be there. My wife and I were so happy after the call. This was what we really wanted to do on our anniversary."

Grace said, "We will never forget that very special day."

"My wife and I as well as the rest of the Physical Facilities volunteers did our best. Most of us were ages 40 to 70 years old and we didn't hear any complaints inspite of the heat, and long hours of working, from 7am to 8pm. It felt like we're all tireless and just so happy to serve!" Orland decribed.

He said that it warmed their hearts whenever they hear a 'wow' from visitors who appreciated and were impressed by how clean and pleasant-smelling the restrooms were.

"We did our best so the Temple visitors could have a wonderful experience during the Dedication," he said.

Orland shared that working in the Temple as volunteers during the Open House and Dedication strengthened his faith.

The couple also celebrated their 48th birthdays serving in the Temple. Grace spent her special day on March 21, 2024 volunteering for the Open House, while Orland helped prepare the chairs for the Dedication on his special day on April 23, 2024. ❤️

"My husband and I took turns in taking care of our two small children so we can serve in the Open House," Zarah Angela Ramirez from Dagupan City shared. "We knew it would be difficult but we said that we'll be able to figure it out. What's important is our will to find a way to serve."

After her work in the Temple, Zarah served as an usher greeting and guiding visitors. "My favorite part of serving was seeing their faces," she shared. "You can feel their excitement as they imagined themselves performing ordinances inside the Urdaneta Temple soon."

She added, "You can also see the fascination and admiration in the faces of our friends of other faiths, as they discover a place of peace and beauty."

Her family first toured the Temple on March 15, 2024. They loved it so much that they went inside several times throughout that week.

"My five-year-old daughter Mazie was excited when she found out that she can go inside the Temple. She was amazed by the paintings. She prayed in the Celestial Room, saw the Sealing Room and had an idea how we got married," Zarah described. "Her favorite room was the Bride's Room. She loved it so much that while she was in the room she pretended to brush her hair and put make up on!"

She added, "She said that she was excited to get married in the Temple!"

Zarah's favorite part was standing in front of the mirrors with her family. "Though I only saw four faces - mine, my husband's, Mazie's and my youngest Zeke's, I felt an assurance that there are five people in my family, and that because we were sealed in the Temple, my dear firstborn daughter Mia who left us at age 14 months will be with us forever."

Zarah's family also celebrated her son's first birthday that same day of their first Temple visit, simply taking photographs with his adorable cake at the Temple grounds. ❤️

“I was given two great blessings from the Lord which I really do love and I can't let go of either of them.” Christine Joy Guarin of Asingan was faced with a difficult decision of whether to go on a full-time mission to preach the Gospel and give up singing in the choir for the Urdaneta Temple Dedication, or stay with the choir and delay going on a mission and needed to save up again for her medical expenses.

Last year September, Christine Joy applied to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Unfortunately, there was a delay in her application due to unfavorable results in her physical tests.

She has already undergone three medical tests and was waiting for the fourth one to come up good. During that time, she also auditioned as a Soprano singer for the Urdaneta Temple Dedication choir.

A few days after the audition, she learned that she got in. She was overjoyed by the news because singing has always been a part of her. But she suddenly realized that if the results from her latest lab test showed up well, her mission application would be nearly completed, and there's a huge chance that she won't be able to attend the Dedication and sing with the choir.

In her mind, she needed to make a difficult choice between the choir or mission.

If her mission application is completed and her mission call comes, she’d be forced to give up choir in the middle of practices. This would be hard for her as she has already attended several rehearsals.

On the other hand, if she choose to sing in the choir, there's a chance that her mission application will be put onhold, and she might need to redo all her medical tests. She saved up long ago for this and she no longer have enough funds for a fifth test, just in case.

"I had a very hard time making a decision," she revealed.

"I fasted and prayed for weeks for the Lord’s guidance,” she said. And she found her answer from a personal vision while on her knees, listening to a recent General Conference talk of President Russell M. Nelson.

"I saw myself so happy in the temple with my family. I saw my ancestors saying thank you and smiling at me. And then I saw my future families, they were looking at the temple and they kept looking up the temple amidst hardships and trials they face."

She continued, “I saw that my experience in the temple will be my strength whenever I feel weak in the mission field, in life, and in the future; and that I will be able to strengthen others through this magnificent experience. And at that moment I knew what the Lord wants me to do. So I chose to serve Him in His Holy Temple before serving Him in the field.”

When the date of the dedication was announced, Chrsitine Joy resubmitted her mission application. And she was grateful that she didn't need to retake any requirements in her application including medical tests which she mentioned will be hard for her to finance again.

"I testify that the Lord really provides. We just need to exert effort and trust Him," she said. "I'm grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime, memorable opportunity to serve in the House of the Lord before entering the MTC."

Christine Joy received her mission call on January 23 and she's been called to serve in the Philippines Davao Mission. She enters the Missionary Training Center (MTC) today, May 8. ❤️