The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was first introduced to Filipinos through the latter-day servicemen who served during the Spanish-American War and World War II. Since then, church meetings were held and the servicemen stayed in the Philippines even after the war. Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga became home to these servicemen.
On August 21, 1955, President Joseph Fielding Smith dedicated the Philippines for missionary work. Although problems arose which hindered the full time missionaries to be sent in the Philippines, after six years, the church was finally registered legally.
President Gordon B. Hinckley (then Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) rededicated the Philippines on 28 April 1961 for the preaching of the gospel. The service was held at the American War Memorial Cemetery located in the outskirts of Manila.
Amidst the rising sun and rows of grave markers, President Hinckley invoked the blessings upon “the people of this land, that they shall be friendly and hospitable, and kind, and gracious to those who shall come here, and that many yea Lord, we pray that there shall be many thousands who shall receive this message and be blessed thereby….We pray that there shall be many men, faithful, good, virtuous, true men who shall join the church."
Indeed, the prayer of President Hinckley was fulfilled, the church has grown so fast...
And now, the church has reached its 50th year here in the Philippines.
***Source: "History of the Church in the Philippines" (http://www.lds.org.ph/page.php?page_id=18)
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