On the morning of the Alabang Philippines Temple dedication, my family and I arrived at the Makiling Chapel shortly after 6:30 a.m. A quiet excitement filled the air. As a local Church leader, I helped welcome members as they entered and assisted with preparations for the event. It was inspiring to see families and individuals come together, ready to witness a historic moment.
By 7:00 a.m., the chapel was full. I was asked, along with two fellow leaders, to sit at the front of the hall to help maintain order and assist the congregation. Not long after, unexpected technical problems affected the live broadcast. The sound became unreliable, sometimes barely audible, other times completely silent.
As my fellow leaders worked to fix the issue, I found myself alone at the front of the room. Looking out at the congregation, I was struck by their calm and patience. Rather than being frustrated, people waited quietly, exchanging smiles and showing respect despite the delay. In that moment, I offered a silent prayer, hoping the situation would be resolved.
Sensing the need to reassure everyone, I asked another leader to invite someone to speak. Bishop Armocilla came forward, spoke briefly to the congregation, and then offered a prayer.
In the middle of that prayer, the sound system suddenly came back to life.
One of the brethren quickly returned to the controls and restarted the broadcast. We soon realized that the introductory music was just ending. The timing was exact. We were able to join the opening prayer of the temple dedication without missing a single moment.
I am deeply grateful for my fellow members of the high council and for the faithful brethren who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. While I sat at the pulpit, they labored with urgency, skill, and faith to resolve the challenges before us. I truly believe their hands were instruments in the Lord’s work, allowing all of us to participate in that sacred meeting.
The Spirit in the chapel was undeniable. Later, my wife shared a feeling that resonated deeply with me. It felt as though Elder Bednar himself was standing right before us. The physical distance between the temple and our chapel seemed to disappear.
This quiet miracle began even before the broadcast officially started. It reminded me that the Lord is mindful of details and that He honors both our prayers and our diligent efforts.
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