November 11th - December 7th

December 07, 2025

November 11th - December 7th

I love the testimony of this recent convert. Enjoy reading & the photos of Brother Darwin Santos - baptized today, November 22, 2025

I just want to share my testimony about how the church changed my life. Back in the day all I wanted to do was drink beer, but now I have changed. As they helped me and taught me, I felt that I needed to change, like God was speaking to me on how I need to change. Now I always want them at my house teaching. And I am thankful to the members because they always welcome and always nice and ready to help. I am grateful that I am a member now, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

- Bro. Darwin Santos

#preparedsoul

#GospelOfChange

Wonderful day at the temple with our 10 departing (now departed) missionaries!

Sister Tafalla. She shared that the best 2 decisions she has made so far in her life were #1 joining the church 7 years ago & #2 serving a mission. These 2 decisions have given her such a great perspective. She is going home with a strong testimony.

Sister Alonzo: "I should be the 99, but I am the one." "I know the Savior for who He really is. He is my friend. This mission has been a wonderful roller coaster." She is going home more mature. Her transformation because of the gospel was amazing to witness.

Sister Bentley has returned home to California - but will soon be at BYU. She has been an amazing missionary and we are going to miss her so much! She has been successful in every area that she has served. "I know how to be happy. I learned how here as a missionary. Happiness comes from progression. There is power in the Atonement. I love God's big plan!"

Sister Erwin from Alpine Utah. Wow - it really has been so much fun to watch her grow and progress as a missionary and as a disciple of Jesus Christ. She LOVED her mission so much. "I got to witness change in so many people. I saw it in my recent converts. But, mostly in myself. I received a testimony as I have served. Our testimony is our greatest gift. It's the best 18 months of my life!"

Sister Adjadottor from Ghana Africa. She has been such a faithful missionary with a good attitude. We are so proud of her. She has returned to Ivory Coast to live with her sister, who is serving as a mission leader with her husband in one of the Ivory Coast Missions. "As a missionary I got to see the true nature of Jesus Christ. This is a marvelous work. There is joy in the gospel."

Oh Elder Gaco from Cebu. His father passed away about 3 months ago. Elder Gaco decided to complete his mission and not return home for his father's funeral. What a sad time for him. What a refining time as well. "I love so much my mission! Jesus Christ loves each one of us. He never leaves us/me. Families are eternal - I know that is true. I learned that as I talked to God about it. I felt that in the temple."

Here is a photo that Elder Gaco shared with me. It was taken 12 years ago when his family of 6 boys were all sealed as a family in the Cebu temple. He is the boy sitting on his mother's lap.

Elder Tamparong. He is a mission miracle as he survived an accident with a car when on his bike. We are so grateful that he was ok after this terrible experience. "Jesus Christ is IN my side." (I love those tagalog to English translations). "I have seen miracles on my mission - I am still alive! He loves us so much."

Elder Gabrido. "The mission purpose gave me new hope. Unfair things can be made right because of the Savior. I have seen true joy in this mission. Joseph Smith restored this church. Book of Mormon gives us access to the healing power and strength, love and guidance. I love the Book of Mormon." He is another missionary that we have seen such growth and maturity. Serving as a missionary does amazing things to these young people.

Elder Walters. "Jesus Christ is the Way. The Church is the vehicle. It has been powerful for me!" I am going to miss Elder Walters, but we know that we will see him again. We love our family connection with him. I am going to miss his analogies

Elder Mausisa. He was born in the Philippines but was raised in San Francisco CA. He is a tender hearted missionary. He will be at BYU in January. He shared a powerful testimony of the Savior and of His Doctrine. It truly is amazing to see the missionary purpose, which really is the doctrine of Christ work in lives.

We met the Salazar couple at the Urdaneta temple. They were attending the temple to celebrate Bro. Salazar's birthday. They are from Cavite. When Sister Salazar saw my name tag she asked if we were related to Elder & Sister Bingham that served in the Manila mission in 1999. How awesome is that??? They knew and loved Mary & Jerry as they served as missionaries 26 years ago in the country. She told us that Jerry was instrumental in helping their family be sealed in the temple. She also loved that Mary taught so many piano lessons in their ward. The Salazars are so proud of their family. They have 3 sons. Those 3 sons are all serving as bishops or branch presidents. Filipinos are always so proud of their callings. The church blesses lives in so many ways. She sent those last 2 photos. AWESOME!

On Thursday we welcomed these awesome 14 new missionaries! What a great group. They go and the come. My heart has to take it all in all the time

Welcome to our mission Sister Albrando from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Her father passed away in 2021 (we have so many fatherless missionaries it is unbelievable to me). What a blessing to her family that they were sealed in the temple and that she was born in the covenant.

"I went to the MTC without knowledge of the Savior, but In the MTC I learned that Jesus Christ is the Center of everything."

Sister Lloyd from Lindon Utah. Oh these missionaries that come from the Provo MTC. They arrive after traveling for 2 days and they are so tired. I am so proud of each of them for their willingness to serve and to sacrifice. My heart also goes out to them as I know that there is such an adjustment period here in the Philippines as missionaries. She loved scripture study in the MTC - that will be such a blessing to her as she serves.

Sister Thomas from Romana California. She loved the MTC! At the MTC she learned that the Savior mourns with us. Her testimony was strengthened - she now has "a huge testimony. Every struggle I turned to Him." In the MTC she felt homesick for her heavenly home. I guess we all experience a bit of that don't we?

Sister Ufomba from Nigeria. She is 27 years old and is excited to serve. She loves the gospel so much and can't wait to share her love of the gospel with others. She was baptized 6 years ago. She has a brother serving in Nigeria now. What an amazing things these new members do as they serve.

Sister Whiting from Eagle Mountain, right over the hill from Saratoga. You can look up her family Tagalog singing group - the Torch Family Music - on social media. Her grandparents served in the Philippines years ago and set up a foundation to help Filipinos with education, so she has visited this country twice already. I think she has realized the past few days that coming as a visitor, staying in a nice hotel, and singing concerts is a lot different than living & teaching as a missionary. She loved the MTC and felt like God taught her so many things in the ups & downs. What a great perspective.

Elder Bacalso from Cagayan de Oro PH. He is happy to serve but worried about his family at home. His father is disabled. He shared with us that he "has a beautiful family". He is the first member of his family to serve a mission. His family all joined the church about 12 years ago.

Elder Bailey from New Haven UT (near Ogden). He comes from a skiing family - we need to meet them sometime! He loved the MTC where his testimony really grew. He read the Book of Mormon for the first time. He also prayed and fasted like he never did before. These things brought him great joy.

Elder Balemaivavalagi (I am going to have to work on pronouncing that name, in the meantime I will call him Elder Bale). He is 18 years old from Fiji. His bishop challenged him to serve a mission and here he is! He shared Alma 16 with us.

Meet Elder Yopo from Legazpi. His family was sealed in the Manila temple 9 years ago when he was 9 years old. His dad is the bishop. Elder Yopo is the first missionary to serve from his family. As he shared about mission his family tears rolled down his cheeks. Oh my heart. Even Filipinos get homesick.

Elder Gamas. His family is a 3rd generation members. That is amazing here in the Philippines He has 6 older brothers that have all served missions. "I love Jesus Christ. He is a big part of my life."

Elder Gansatao from Tuguegarao PH.

Elder Juntilla from Cebu PH. He comes from an active family that has been sealed in the temple. What a blessing that sealing was when he had a brother pass away. He comes from a family with 7 sons! "I know the Savior, our Redeemer makes Eternal Life possible."

Elder Montemayor. Both of his parents are returned missionaries. What a blessing to come from a strong family. He is so happy to serve here in Luzon. In the MTC he grew close to the Savior.

Elder Veile from Independence Kansas. His dad served in the Philippines Manila mission years ago. He loved recognizing the spirit as he served in the MTC.

Grateful to have Matthew and his family here! We took a jeepney to the Mall yesterday! JollieB & hiking today! Everyone is doing awesome. Wonderful attitudes - we are so grateful for each of them - AND for each of you. Happy Thanksgiving.