Marikina Stakes 2

nd
Interfaith Forum on Families a wrap
by Vianne Ilagan

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Markina, Philippines Stake closed its National Family
Week celebration with a bang with the successful hosting of Interfaith Forum 2014 last September 27,
2014 at the Provident Chapel in Marikina City.

The forum featured diverse religious leaders and sparked healthy and peaceful discussions on the
significance of preserving family values in a modernizing world. Speakers in the forum were SA Marikina
Faith Bible Church Senior Pastor Ronnie Dela Fuente, I Am Redeemer Ministries Head Pastor Nemy
Martin, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Marikina Stake President Jose Manarin.

Pastor Nemy Martins message centered on Ephesians 6:4, And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to
wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

He emphasized the need for parents to refrain from comparing their children with others, as well as
showing favoritism and making unrealistic expectations. He said parents should create a reasonable rule
at home and nurture and train their children by being the best role models and by introducing them to
the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

For his part, Pastor Ronnie Dela Fuente shared how technology affects family relations. In his talk, he
urged families to limit the use of gadgets such as cellular phones and iPads so they can spend more
quality time with their loved ones.

While he acknowledged the importance of social media in communication, he said such tools can be a
distraction when overused.

Cyber technology is hindering the ability of our children to develop social skills and nurture interpersonal
relationships they need to cultivate their social activity, he said.

As he closed his message, he gave several guidelines as to how families can enjoy social networking
while maintaining close family relations. He urged parents to take the lead in creating a relational
atmosphere in their homes and setting limits when it comes to social media use. He also urged them to
become part of the modern world by learning how to use the internet, and always set aside time for
intimate and quality interactions with their children.

The last to talk, President Manarin shared a wonderful message on good parenting. He opened his talk
with an excerpt from The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which states: Parents have a sacred
duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to
teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding
citizens wherever they live.

With reference to 3 John 1:4, he said great joy awaits parents who make every effort to build a strong,
loving home environment and teach gospel principles to their children.

He also laid emphasis on the importance of making their children understand the first principles and
ordinances of the gospel during family home evenings and other family gatherings.

President Manarin noted that the home is the best place to teach, learn and apply gospel principles. He
also shed light on the divine roles of mothers and fathers, as well as the need for them to become equal
partners in creating a Christ-centered home.

The father and mother must be one in purpose. Their goal should be to prepare all members of the
family to return to our Heavenly Father. They should be united as they work toward this goal, he said.

He also emphasized that the extent to which a family enjoys the blessings of the gospel depends largely
on how well the father and the mother understand and perform their basic duties as parents.

Someday, there will be a time for accounting as to how we have reared and taught our families. We will
have a personal interview with the Judge who is Jesus Christ, he closed.

Attended by around 237 Marikina Stake members and members from the two guest churches, the
forum was generally a success.

It was also graced by the Marikina Stake Choir and the I Am Redeemer Ministries Choir, which gave
special song numbers to break the ice.

Elated about the success of the activity, Pastor Nemy Martin expressed his interest to co-organize the 3
rd

Interfaith Forum on Families next year with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsMarikina
Stake Public Affairs Team. He also offered to have their church choir sing with the Marikina Stake Choir
during the forum, to which both parties agreed.

After the activity, refreshments were served at the second floor of the Provident Chapel, with selected
Young Men and Young Women from different wards serving as ushers and usherettes to the guests.

The forum generally attracted extravagant praises from those in attendance, particularly the leaders of
other churches who labeled LDS members as hospitable and very mabait.

The first of this annual event was held in September 2013, still as part of the National Family Week
celebration. It was an unprecedented and bold initiative from the Stake Public Affairs led by Bro. Merille
Martin, whose goal in mind was to bring together community members who share a common vision on
the significance of families.