The Church in the Philippines started with a few people, then increased a thousandfold, and is now stretching toward a thousandfold more. Today, there are more than 816,438 members of The Church.
What are the reasons for such tremendous growth? The Lord said he would perform a “marvelous work and a wonder” in the last days (see Isa. 29:14); and indeed he has, as the Saints featured in this section joyfully attest. The peace of the gospel has touched their lives.
The following photos show the Filipino Latter-day Saint pioneers in the island of Visayas — faces and testimonies, activities and experiences—glimpses of a people who follow Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. These photos are visual evidence of prophecies fulfilled: “And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd, and he shall feed his sheep, and in him, they shall find pasture” (1 Ne. 22:25).
Pioneer Members in Visayas
A picture of Jovita Solon's baptism. Jovita is one of the first people to be baptized in Cebu. He was baptized on 4 Feb 1967.
The Mateo Family joins Jovita Solon after his baptism.
A branch in Cebu attends a Sunday service, 1967.
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One of the first 4 missionaries in Cebu. L-R Richard Thorson, Don Asay, Paul Wright, Tom Pierce
The Church choir during the first conference in Cebu held at Town Country Restaurant, 1969.
Baptism of sisters Maria Linda, Ophelia, and Rita Flores in Algar, Cebu. Taken 10 Feb 1973.
Alberoto Family from Tagbilaran, Bohol, poses for a picture with a missionary
The Mateo Family welcome full-time missionaries to their home in Cebu, 1966.
Brother Alberoto poses in front of a rented facility in Tagbilaran, Bohol
Read more about the pioneer stories of Church members in Visayas here: