I did not relocate from Washington, down from the stand. The man was D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah until May of Richard Matthews, my bishop when I 2012 because the Brethren instructed was 16 years old. We had a nice reunion me to make sure there was a smooth and then he told me something I had transition upon my departure. As I began never known. He said that about two my service at Church headquarters in years after my baptism the bishopric had Salt Lake City, I was looking forward been concerned that my path in life had to attending a meeting of all General not changed and they thought they were Authorities located in Salt Lake City that going to lose me. They prayed about me occurs in the Salt Lake Temple on the fi rst and were inspired to call a man named Thursday of the month. Richard Boren as the priest quorum My fi rst attendance at this sacred advisor to save me. meeting happened on June 7, 2012. I I will forever be grateful for Bishop I read the Book was seated on the back row and shortly Matthews and other ward leaders who of Mormon after the meeting began I was surprised counseled together, and prayed and and gained a to hear my name called. President acted upon inspiration from the Holy testimony that Thomas S. Monson called upon me to Spirit, when they sensed that I had propelled me to come forth and bear my testimony. I not been truly converted and brought achieve things I arose from my chair, walked to the front into full activity in the Church. I am never thought of the room and stood next to the First especially thankful for Richard Boren, were possible Presidency, with the Twelve Apostles who went the extra mile in an effort and brought me seated directly in front of me. I gave a to save me. When he could not reach great happiness. brief heartfelt testimony. Part of what me through the lessons he taught in I said was that as a “convert” it was the priest quorum he befriended me beyond my wildest dreams to think that in a special way and found out how I would ever stand in a special room in to help me succeed in life. Because of the Salt Lake Temple and bear testimony him, at the age of 17, I read the Book in the midst of the Lord’s prophets and of Mormon and gained a testimony that apostles. I then said that “this moment propelled me to achieve things I never would not have been possible had it not thought were possible and brought me been for two missionaries and a priest great happiness. My sweetheart and quorum advisor.” The two missionaries, I went into the Salt Lake Temple on Lee Pearson and Boyd Camphuysen, December 20, 1968 and were sealed taught my family the gospel of Jesus together for time and all eternity by Christ and then baptized us. The priest Spencer W. Kimball. More importantly, quorum advisor, Richard Boren, was the the fruit of the labors of these priesthood Lord’s instrument in “rescuing” me three leaders has multiplied in the next years after I was baptized. generation. Following our temple Two and a half months later, on marriage we have been blessed with six August 25, 2012, I presided at my fi rst children and 30 grandchildren. stake conference as a General Authority In the Doctrine and Covenants, in the St. George Utah North Stake. At chapter 18, verse 10, we read: “The the conclusion of the Saturday adult worth of souls is great in the sight of session of the stake conference I God.” Then in verses 15 and 16 it says: recognized a man who came walking up “And if it so be that you should labor all the aisle to speak with me as I stepped your days in crying repentance unto this N2 Liahona people, and bring, save it be one soul or riches overcome them. Gladly, unto me, how great shall be your joy some receive the gospel and truly with him in the kingdom of my Father! understand it and enjoy good “fruit” in And now, if your joy will be great with their lives. one soul that you have brought unto The parable of the sower has me into the kingdom of my Father, how application in the Philippines. The great will be your joy if you should bring restored gospel has been received many souls unto me!” by more than 650,000 people in the Lee Pearson, Boyd Camphuysen and Philippines. However, not all of them Richard Boren have all passed on from are active in the Church today. There this earthly life, but I know that they is a particular concern that the “rising have experienced great joy in knowing generation” might be faltering. What that they were instruments in the Lord’s should we be doing to bring them back PHOTO BY NOEL MAGLAQUE hands in saving not only one soul, but into the fold? The answer to this question The restored the numerous posterity of that soul. is found in the scriptures. gospel has been Bishop Matthews has lived to witness received by more on this earth the fruit of his labor to save “For the Son of man is come to save than 650,000 the soul of a boy that had been baptized, that which is lost” (Matthew 18:11). Our people in the but had lost his way. Savior has His heart focused on rescuing Philippines. His lost sheep. His prophet, President However, not In Matthew 13:3-8, Jesus Christ taught Thomas S. Monson, has his heart focused all of them the parable of the sower: on the rescue of the less-active and are active in wayward. Where then should our hearts the Church “Behold, a sower went forth to sow; be focused? today. There “And when he sowed, some seeds fell “Then one of them, which was a is a particular by the way side, and the fowls came and lawyer, asked him a question, tempting concern that devoured them up: him, and saying, “Master, which is the the “rising “Some fell upon stony places, where great commandment in the law? generation” they had not much earth: and forthwith “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love might be they sprung up, because they had no the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and faltering. What deepness of earth: with all thy soul, and with all they mind. should we be “And when the sun was up, they were “This is the fi rst and great doing to bring scorched; and because they had no root, commandment. them back into they withered away. “And the second is like unto it, Thou the fold? “And some fell among thorns; and the shalt love they neighbour as thyself.” thorns sprung up, and choked them: (Matthew 22:35-39) “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, In Moses 1:39 we read: “For behold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life Jesus Christ taught that some receive of man.” If we truly love our Father in the gospel and may endure for a while, Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, it is but when “tribulation or persecution” our responsibility to do Their work. We arise they become “offended” and must go fi nd those who are have fallen fall away. Others who at fi rst receive away and are lost, and bring them back. the gospel let the cares of the world We must “Rescue the One.” OCTOBER 2013 N3 also set a date in their homes for their family home of fellowshippers. We also tackle in our meetings evening to strengthen our relationship with them and in messages during sacrament meeting the and their families. responsibility of every member to be a friend and a confi dant and that they are to express love to the Rodel N. Tabunan new converts through the warmth of their smile and Branch President company. Then we can help them feel comfortable Gingoog Philippines District in all meetings and activities of the Church. Then we make sure that they attend all meetings and ew converts are like newly planted seeds that Sunday classes for them to be nurtured in the Nneed nourishment and care. It usually takes a gospel. I also make a follow-up on their personal lot of patience and effort to nurture a seed before prayer and personal scripture study through a root will sprout or its fi rst leaf to shoot up. For a interviews. new convert to grow in the gospel and continue to stay close to the Church, we usually discuss Leonardo Natad in our branch council meetings the home and Branch President visiting teachers’ assignments and the importance Tagum Philippines District Trying to Be Like Jesus How did you feel when you were baptized? hen I was baptized, the water in the Jennifer N., 9 years old “Wbaptismal font felt cold but I felt good Legazpi Philippines Stake inside. I want to be a missionary when I turn 18 and my baptism is a step to help me prepare for it.” hen I was baptized, I felt more “Wcomfortable and happy. I felt the Savior’s Joseph Russell L. D., 8 years old love with me. I felt like I would be guided each Quezon City Philippines Stake day.” Daniel Lorenz B.