I often tell people that the greatest period of my growth as an apostle was the two years in the Philippines.

Although that occurred about 14 years after I was called to the

quorum of the 12, I was still on a steep learning curve in the performance of my duties

as an apostle because I had never served as a bishop or a state president or a mission president or a full-time missionary.

I could go on with that list.

But in the Philippines I had an opportunity for those reasons and many others.

It was the period of greatest learning that I had in my calling in the

quorum of the 12.

This is Sarah Jane Weaver, executive editor of the Church News, welcoming you to the

Church News podcast.

We are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In an inspired effort to shepherd the growth and future of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines, then Elder Dallin H. Oaks was assigned

by President Gordon B. Hinkley to serve as area president in the nation from 2002 to 2004.

With his wife, Sister Kristen Oakes, President Oakes, now first counselor in the first presidency,

served in the country when there were just more than 600,000 Latter-day

Saints and one temple. President and Sister Oaks will now return to the Philippines, where

President Oaks will dedicate the Erdeneta Philippines Temple on April 28, 2024. The Erdeneta Temple

is the third temple in the Philippines, where there are now more than

900,000 Latter-day Saints and 10 additional temples in planning or construction. President

and Sister Oaks joined this episode of the Church News podcast to share their feelings for the Philippines

and talk about the blessings of the church's growing number of temples across the globe.

So as we start today, you're preparing to go to the Philippines and dedicate the Urdenana Temple.

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