President Chibota Teaches Parents to Help Children Draw Near to God

Children can learn that they are never alone when parents teach them to turn their hearts and thoughts to Heavenly Father, Primary General President Rosemary K. Chibota taught during a devotional in Tacloban City, Philippines.

Speaking at a devotional in Tacloban City on September 19, 2026, Sister Chibota taught that children who learn to stay close to Heavenly Father can turn to Him for help and guidance wherever they are.

“You won't always be there with your children. Sometimes they are alone, they're at school, and they have a problem. Maybe they are scared, maybe somebody said something that upsets them. But if you teach them to always turn their hearts or their thoughts to Father in Heaven, then your children will be safe,” Sister Chibota told parents during the devotional.

“They will know that they can talk to their Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere, whether they're at school or whether they are lost. You know, they can stop and pray, and help will be sent to them by our Heavenly Father,” she added.

Sister Chibota, who was raised in Zimbabwe and is a mother to a daughter, also reminded parents of their responsibility to help their children develop faith in Jesus Christ.

She was accompanied by her husband, Joel B. Chibota, who also shared his testimony during the devotional.

Elder Emmanuel G. Abraham, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joined the Chibotas at the devotional. More than 800 Latter-day Saints attended, filling the stake center and adjoining extension rooms, with others watching from the hallways.

For Julette Antoni, a mother from the Alangalang Ward, Sister Chibota's message was a reminder to openly share her feelings with Heavenly Father in both joyful and difficult moments.

“I like that she emphasized that children should pray always and that parents have the responsibility to guide children in goodness that they may walk in faith and confidence,” Antoni said.

Gavin Carl Sarveda of the San Juanico Ward said the devotional strengthened his understanding of prayer.

“Through prayer, I realize that I am never alone. God is always there to listen to me,” he said.

The devotional brought together Church leaders, parents and children from the Tacloban Stake and nearby stakes in Carigara, Ormoc and Tolosa as part of Sister Chibota's ministry in the Philippines.

Earlier that day, Sister Chibota participated in the launch of the Church's Child Nutrition Program in Tacloban and visited two families. She also spoke at a special Tacloban Stake conference on September 20.

As Primary General President, Sister Chibota leads the Church's worldwide organization for children ages 18 months through 11 years. The Primary helps children learn the gospel of Jesus Christ, develop faith in Him and understand their identity as children of God.