Elder Neil L. Andersen Reaches the Rising Generation in the Philippines

“I just love being here. There is something in your spirits that enlarges our soul. I think it’s just because of your hearts and spirits, because of your faith and your testimony,” said Kathy Andersen, wife of Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Even though we don’t know each one of you personally, we feel such a love for you.”

Those remarks were given at a stake conference in Quezon City, a part of Metro Manila, on Sunday, February 17, 2024. Elder Andersen, accompanied by Sister Andersen, spent the weekend teaching Latter-day Saints as he begins a nine-day ministry in this Southeast Asia nation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is relatively young in the Philippines — yet it is among the fastest growing areas of the Church in the world with more than 850,000 members and 128 stakes (each similar in size to a diocese).

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At the stake conference, Elder Andersen shared his witness. “[God] will reward all good people everywhere and all who believes in Him. But let us not be mistaken. This, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is where his priesthood has been restored,” he said. “Our membership in this His restored gospel will be a great badge of honor as we cross to the other side of the veil. I know this is true, I know He lives. I know He is our Savior and Redeemer.”

The Apostle met with youth and young single adults, answering their questions and giving them guidance. He first met young single adults in San Pablo, Philippines, a city about 50 miles south of Manila, on Saturday.

One question was about how to handle the pressure to serve missions, get married and get an education.

“Let’s not call it pressure. Let’s call it high expectations,” Elder Andersen said. “I’m 72 years old. I still have some pressures. The president of the Church might say, ‘Neil, you have some things you could do better.’ That’s an expectation from the Lord’s prophet. But it’s OK. I know I’m loved by my Heavenly Father. I know I’m not everything I can be. And I’m not going to be everything in this life. But I can rise above who I am.”

In response to another question, Elder Andersen counsel