The Philippines Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement today as the nation commemorates Yolanda:
In the last year the Tacloban area has risen from the depths of destruction, miracles have forged faith in Christ in the hearts of members and missionaries alike and the great work of salvation has been hastened.
We are grateful as an Area Presidency for all of the groups who have contributed so much in time, material and money to help so many who were in the path of the storm. Each member who has made a contribution to the Fast offering Funds and the Humanitarian Fund has been a contributor in lifting their neighbor and surely they will have felt the joy in that act.
One year on from the typhoon experience, we encourage all to look forward and not backward and to look up and not down. As you look around you will see the progress that has been made both temporally and spiritually. God is in the heavens and all is progressing as he would have it.