Sacred Places

On March 12th 1942, just before the fall of Corregidor, General Douglas McArthur, on direct orders from the President of the United States, climbed aboard PT boat 41 at the North Mine Dock under cover of darkness and fled Corregidor and the Philippines for Australia.  He left with the 3 word promise:  "I SHALL RETURN".  Washington and the Military asked that he amend the promise to "We" shall return.  He refused.  To him the promise was deeply personal and sacred. 

On October 23, 1944, after the extreme and bitter Battle of Leyte Gulf and with the 6th Army now controlling the beachhead, Douglas McArthur, with then Philippines President Sergio Osmena at his side, stepped again on Philippines soil.  He would broadcast  the following:

    "TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES

    I have returned.  By the grace of Almighty God, our forces again stand again on Philippine soil - soil        consecrated by the blood of our two peoples.  We have come, dedicated and committed, to the task of        destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring, upon a foundation of     indestructible, strength,the liberties of your people.

    At my side is your President, Sergio Osmena, worthy successor to that great patriot, Manuel Quezon,        with members of his cabinet.  The seat of your government is now therefore firmly re-established on        Philippine soil.

    The hour of your redemption is here.....

    Rally to me.  Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on.......rise and strike.  Strike at        every favorable opportunity.  For your homes and hearths strike!  For our future generations of your            sons and daughters, strike!  In the name of your sacred dead, strike!  Let no heart be faint.  Let every        arm be steeled.   The guidance of divine God points the way.  Follow His Name to the Holy Grail of        victory!"

As a young missionary, my first area was on the Bataan peninsula.  There I fell in love with the history and the valor of this terrible conflict.  Theirs is a story worth remembering.  Their sacrifices laid a strong foundation upon which we enjoy our happy comfortable lives.  I shall always honor and revere these great men and women of valor.

40 years later, I was honored and privileged to visit for the first time the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.  It has been a privilege I have long sought for; to visit this sacred place.  It contains the largest number of American military graves of World War II.  This 152 acre spot is quiet and serene.  It is immaculately kept and honors both American and Filipino soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  Last week, we were in Manila and Elder and Sister Bangerter graciously fulfilled this great desire of mine to visit this memorial.  As we walked amongst the 16,859 neatly kept headstones, my heart was full of great gratitude and reverence.  I knew that I stood on holy ground.  This was indeed a sacred place that demanded reverential awe.  I felt it a great honor and privilege to walk on this holy ground.

We were in Manila to accompany 11 of our very fine missionaries to the temple.  Normally, before a young person embarks on a mission, they attend the temple and make sacred promises to God.  These promises commit the person to live an honourable, chaste life of service to God and one's fellow man.  They go forth from the temple armed with His power, with His name upon them, His glory round about them and His angels having charge over them (D&C 109:22).  Because of the closure of the Manila Temple due to the pandemic, these 11 young missionaries were unable to attend the Temple prior to commencing their missions.  For me this was reminiscent of 40 years earlier while I served here.  At that time the there was no Temple in the Philippines.  The Manila Temple would not be completed until just over 1 year after I returned home.  Because there was no temple in the Philippines, all Filipino missionaries served without the privilege of temple covenants.  These great missionaries yearned for the day they could attend a temple and receive for themselves the blessings of the temple.  Our group of 11 came out on their missions, and like my companions of old, yearned for the day that they could attend this great temple.

We were to fly down Monday afternoon, stay in a hotel and attend the Temple early the next morning.  Sadly, the 1 flight out of Cauayan that day was cancelled because of heavy rains.  The fearsome and savage super typhoon Odette devastated the central Philippines but only brought heavy rains to Cauayan.  Of course the rains stopped just after the flight was cancelled.  As we were booked to attend the Temple early the next day, we drove to Manila arriving at 1:30 AM (in bed at 2).  We were up at 6 AM to travel to the Temple.  Tired but not discouraged, our missionaries sang Christmas hymns as we drove.  Elder Flores has been on his mission for over 18 months, hoping and praying that he could go to the Temple.  As the Temple came into view he could not stop smiling and giggling he was so excited. 

We spent a glorious day in the Temple.  We were so pleased to watch the pure joy in the eyes of our missionaries.  They did not take this moment or  experience for granted.  They knew that this also was a sacred place.  A very sacred place.

In the Temple we learn of Him we call the Christ.  He has also vowed:  "I shall return".  To him this promise is also deeply personal and sacred.  He comes to also liberate the captives from the enemy who holds them is subjection.  He comes to liberate his people.  As this special season of the year when we celebrate his first advent draws to a close, I sing and shout His praises as the Great Liberator and look with anticipation to His promised return.  He will keep his promise!