As the teenage son of a single parent who never knew his father, John Michael Viray was always searching for someone special to build a life with.
Mike, as he’s known, was attracted to his high school classmate who, he found out, was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although the girl wasn’t interested in him, Mike became interested in knowing about her church.
“I had a deep curiosity about religion,” Mike, shares, “and someone also gave me a Book of Mormon.”
One Sunday, Mike excitedly went early to a Church meetinghouse in Parañaque City, but became hesitant to enter because he didn’t know anybody. Then, suddenly, he saw his high school physics teacher entering the gate with his wife. Mike was astounded to find out that he too was a Latter-day Saint, and together they all attended sacrament meeting.
“Come and listen to our missionaries,” another Latter-day Saint schoolmate encouraged him. Mike was still courting and patiently looking for love, but his courtship with the truth made him impatient to know more, so he said yes.
When the two Elders invited him to join the “one true church”, Mike’s ears tingled: “that was the deal-breaker for me.” On July 30, 2011, 15-year-old John Michael Viray was baptized.
Mike continued to court (unsuccessfully), but his love affair with the true church continued (successfully). Mike served a mission, and after he got home, he found someone who he knew was The One. He had found his true love—in the true church.
But again, Brother Viray had to be patient, because Sister Hannah Apor was also going to serve a mission. After she served and went home, the two got engaged and were married in the Manila Philippines Temple on May 21, 2022.
“I tried to find love, but in the process, I also found the truth,” Brother Viray now smiles. “Be patient, be the right person,” he counsels those seeking an eternal partner, “so that when you’re finally in the right time, at the right place, everything else will turn out right.”