Lopez Philippines Stake News and Events

30/05/2026

It started when I was a child in Grade One, my teacher taught us to pray and I was happy that I told my parents all about it and my father taught me the proper way of doing it. When I turned nine, I told my parents that I wanted to get baptized and my father saw my desire. He started to focus again on the Church and Jesus Christ so that he can baptize his own son.

I remember myself being taught by the missionaries about the Book of Mormon and asking God if it's true by reading and praying. While studying they ask me will I go on a mission and I said yes even though I don't understand all about it I said yes because it made me happy. June 11 2016, I got baptized and I was full of joy after that happened.

In 2017 I was attending Church and asking myself while in class how it would feel for somebody to know the truth the church is teaching. I felt happy and my desire to serve mission increase.

When I was 16-18 yrs old, I experienced FSY and other activities too, and received many blessing while growing up. My two brothers also have the desire to serve and seeing their desire to serve it also increases my desire to serve more. I was 18-19 years old when I repented of many sins and experienced the joy of repentance and forgiveness from the Lord and gaining new hope in Jesus Christ.

I testify that Jesus Christ is our redeemer, savior and he love us so much that he sacrifice himself so that everyone may live again and can be saved from sin.

I testify that the book of Mormon is true and translated by the power of God it is truly God's words as I read and ponder it gives me happiness from the messages it contains.

- Elder Altomea
Unisan Branch
Mission Area: Philippines Davao Mission 🇵🇭
Mission Term: May 2026 - May 2028

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

Lopez Stake Youth Visit Temple to Serve Ancestors

Youth members from the Lopez Philippines Stake (Diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in a temple trip to the Manila Philippines Temple on May 8–9, 2026, to perform sacred ordinances on behalf of their deceased ancestors.

The activity was conducted under the guidance and leadership of Stake President Rexter J. Anda aimed to strengthen the youth spiritually while helping them understand the importance of temple and family history work.

Latter-day Saints believe that ordinances performed in temples make it possible for families to be together for eternity and experience a fulness of joy in God’s presence.

They also believe that many of Heavenly Father’s children were unable to receive these ordinances during mortality. Through proxy ordinances performed in temples, living members may act on behalf of deceased individuals, who may then choose to accept or reject these ordinances in the spirit world.

As part of the temple worship experience, the youth participated in proxy baptisms for the dead, an ordinance commonly performed by the rising generation of the Church.

One of the participating youth, Uan Jared Camral of Lopez 4th Ward, shared his testimony about the experience.

"Ito po ang aking pangalawang temple trip at masaya po ako at isa sa mga napili na makasama sa temple trip sobrang sarap po sa pakiramdam na makatapak muli sa temple sobrang gaan po sa pakiramdam at sobrang payapa," (This is my second temple trip, and I am happy to be one of those chosen to join. It feels so wonderful to enter the temple again. The feeling is so light, peaceful, and comforting), he shared.

Among the wards in the stake, Lopez 4th Ward had one of the highest numbers of youth participants during the temple trip.

Church leaders expressed hope that the experience would inspire the youth to continue strengthening their faith, serving others, and remembering their ancestors through temple and family history work.

12/05/2026

We are deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Elder W. Mark Bassett, a General Authority Seventy who had been serving since April of 2016. Elder Bassett passed away on May 11, 2026, as a result of a traumatic brain injury. He was with his family in St. George, Utah, when the incident occurred.

At the time of his death, Elder Bassett was serving as the Executive Director of the Missionary Department, overseeing worldwide missionary efforts. His service in this calling coincided with a period of historic growth in missionary efforts around the world and unprecedented levels of missionaries deciding to serve. Elder Bassett will be deeply missed and always remembered for his great faith and dedicated service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

During a devotional for missionaries held at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah, just days before his passing, Elder Bassett bore testimony and challenged missionaries to “Invite everyone to come—and do everything you can to help them enter this beautiful gate, which leads to eternal life." His devotion in life reflected these teachings and leaves a loving legacy for all.

Our love and prayers are with his dear wife Angela, his children, and his grandchildren during this difficult time.

Learn more: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-mark-bassett-dies-at-age-59

12/05/2026

11/05/2026

10/05/2026

141 BYU Pathway Students in Nairobi, Kenya Celebrate Progress in Landmark Ceremony on April 2026

10/05/2026