Elder Stevenson Assures Filipinos of God’s Love

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson, attended a special member devotional at the Cagayan de Oro Philippines Stake on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

They were joined by Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Presidency of the Seventy, his wife Shelley Nash, and the members of the Philippines Area Presidency. The special member devotional was broadcast to all other stakes and districts under the Cagayan de Oro Coordinating Council.

The focus of Elder Stevenson’s message was God’s love for His children. “God wants to communicate with us. He is mindful of everything in our lives, no matter how big or small. He is always willing to help us,” he said.

Elder Stevenson reminded the Cagayan de Oro Latter-day Saints that communication lines to heaven are open and that God hears and answers their prayers. He counseled the members to think of their Heavenly Father as a loving and living Father with a physical body and that they have a divine identity as His offspring (Acts 17:29).

Before he ended his talk, Elder Stevenson left a blessing that Heavenly Father will bless all Filipino families and that their “posterity will get to know Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God.”

Elder Stevenson and Elder Nash are in the Philippines to meet with Latter-day Saints in the country and to conduct an Area Review. During their brief visit, they met leaders and members of the Church from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Members from various parts of the province eagerly traveled to hear from Elder Stevenson. Marr Radaña, a young single adult from Canitoan Ward, diligently prepared for the meeting by immersing herself in the scriptures and seeking divine guidance through prayer. Her anticipation was palpable as she hoped to receive “comfort, assurance, peace, and confirmation.”

Zsanine Meliang, a Relief Society sister from Lumbia Branch, arrived three hours early at the stake center with her husband so they could be “physically and spiritually prepared to feel the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”

“I became more inspired to share the gospel and be part of the work of the restoration,” shared Darren Aban, a young single adult from Kauswagan Ward, who is departing for his mission in June 2024. Charisse Marcaida of Carmen Ward also felt truly edified by the message of the Apostle, saying that “knowing that God loves His children gives me strength to continue and move forward with faith.”

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