The Manila Temple

The Manila Temple is right across the street from the Philippines Area Office, where we spend a good deal of our time.  It really is a breathtaking sight as we round the corner in the morning and it suddenly rises above us as we head toward the parking lot of the PAO.  

The Temple was the first built in the Philippines and was dedicated in 1984. Another was dedicated in Cebu a few months ago and a third was

announced last Conference

farther north of here.        

As do so many other temples, this temple has some interesting historic folklore attached to it.  A typhoon approached the day before the groundbreaking ceremony.  But at a mission conference that evening, a missionary prayed for the weather to cooperate - the typhoon changed direction, and the groundbreaking proceeded as planned. 

In the days leading up to the dedication of the temple, there were two typhoons, a volcano erupted, and there was an earthquake in northern Luzon.  The temple was safe.  

In 1989, there was an attempt to overthrow the government and much of the conflict took place near the temple and other church properties in the area.  There was damage to the temple annex, the patron housing facility, and mortar shells exploded on the grounds - some even passing between the spires of the temple.  But the temple, itself, was unharmed, save one single bullet hole at the top of the highest spire. 

So, whether we're heading toward the office early in the morning, or wandering through the area late at night, the Temple is an ever-present reminder that there is a God in Heaven who loves us very much and desires that we return to live with Him. That there is safety in staying close to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.   A reminder that family is everything and that through Holy Temples on the earth, we can be assured of Eternal Life with our families beyond this existence.