Elder Andersen Notes that Filipino Saints Are Happy and Devoted

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Elder Andersen
Image via churchofjesuschrist.org.

This article was originally written by Gerry Avant and Valerie Johnson for Church News. 

Smiling faces. Optimistic attitudes. Devotion to family. Gospel faithfulness.

These are just a few phrases Elder Neil L. Andersen and Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy used to describe what they saw and experienced while on assignment in the Philippines November 12–23.

Upon their return to Salt Lake City, they spoke with the Church News of the “snapshots captured by the mind’s eye” as they met with and addressed Church members, leaders, and missionaries in a variety of meetings.

“I came away with a feeling of the goodness and genuineness of their culture,” Elder Andersen said. “We love our culture [in North America], but we could learn so much from people in other places.”

He noted “the lack of importance for material things of life” that he saw among the Filipino people at large and Latter-day Saints in particular.

Read the full article at churchofjesuschrist.org.

Kylie is a writer at LDS.net and graduate of BYU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She grew up in a Chicago suburb where she gained a passion for the Chicago Cubs. She enjoys writing and live event video production.