Moving Mountains with Faith for 2,100 Souls

Valiant young men and women from the Santa Cruz Ward of the Digos Philippines Stake (diocese), identified more than 2,100 names of their deceased relatives and took them to Cebu City Philippines Temple to ensure that their loved ones receive the necessary ordinances of salvation and exaltation.

In preparation for their five-day spiritual journey last July, the youth and leaders of Santa Cruz Ward challenged themselves to be ready both spiritually and temporally. All of them actively participated in their seminary classes, church activities, and Sunday meetings. They spent many hours in their local Family History Center, combing through thousands of records of deceased loved ones. They also prepared financially by saving up their allowances and by taking on odd jobs during the summer break.

Bishop Nate Lamoglia and his wife, Loren, shared how this incredible experience strengthened the Santa Cruz youth's testimonies of the Savior and how it deepened their understanding of the importance of the Family History Program of the Church:

"Going to the temple and performing ordinances for the 2,100 family names has increased the faith of the youth and the leaders. It strengthened our bond with our Heavenly Father and the Savior. This experience deepened our youth’s understanding of how important the Gospel is, both for the living and the dead. Our youth now has an eternal perspective of returning to our Heavenly Father by making higher covenants in the temple someday. We witnessed this growth in faith among our youth, leaders, and ward members. Their renewed commitment goes beyond merely coming unto Christ; they now strive to be more like Him, following the exemplary path set by our Savior.

Reflecting on an excerpt from Matthew 17:20: "For verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you." We showed our faith by moving mountains for those 2,100 names, relying on the strength bestowed upon us by our Savior."