Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Sister Katherine Christofferson Visit Cagayan de Oro City 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, together with his wife Sister Katherine Christofferson, visited with members of the Church in Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao on 15 June 2018. He was accompanied by the Philippines Area President, Elder Shayne M. Bowen and his wife, Sister Lynette Bowen.

His day started with a missionary devotional where he shared inspiring messages and counsels to one hundred twenty full-time missionaries of the Philippines Cagayan de Oro Mission. President Kim Antenorcruz and Sister Rina Antenorcruz from the Cagayan de Oro Mission were present during the event.

A devotional for members soon followed where more than a thousand came to listen to an apostle of the Lord. A significant number of participants came from as far as Iligan City, Malaybalay City, and Balingasag, in addition to the members of the three stakes (diocese) in Cagayan de Oro City.

Marjorie M. Binas, a member of the Macanhan Ward (congregation), Cagayan de Oro  Philippines Stake shared what she learned during the event. "I learned from Elder D. Todd Christofferson during the devotional about the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He taught us that we can return to Heavenly Father’s presence someday if we repent with real intent in our hearts. Attaining peace in this life is also made possible through the atonement. If we center our lives in Jesus Christ, we have no need to fear because He lives and He loves us," she said. 

"Elder D. Todd Christofferson simply pointed out the blessings which will come when members of the Church strictly keep the Sabbath day holy. He likened the Sabbath into a basketball timeout, a time for us to gather with the coach and plan on how to perform better'," shared Jeric Vivares Garcia, a member from the Iligan 3rd Ward under the Iligan Philippines Stake.

Both events were held at the Patag Stake Center of the Cagayan de Oro West Philippines Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In his message to both missionaries and members of the Church, Elder Christofferson mentioned the announcement of the new Temple in Cagayan de Oro City. It was during the April 2018 Conference when President Russel M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced that a new temple will be built in Cagayan de Oro City. When finished, it will be the 5th temple in the Philippines.

Currently, two temples are serving the members of the Church in the Philippines. These are the Manila Philippines Temple in Quezon City and the Cebu City Philippines Temple in Lahug, Cebu City. Three more Temples have been announced. They will be built in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, in the the greater Manila area, and in Cagayan de Oro City.

(Photo Credit: Jeric Vivares)