Missionaries Healed a Boy, and a Town Opened to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ

Jesus gave his disciples power to heal. That power still exists today. In 1986, Elder Ronzel Gonz was serving in the Philippines Baguio mission. On his third area, he and his companion were assigned to open Masin Lok Zambales. It wasn't an easy assignment. Years earlier, missionaries had worked there for 3 years without success. So few people accepted the gospel that the mission eventually closed the area.

Knowing the challenge ahead, the two missionaries prayed, "Heavenly Father, please lead us to those who are prepared to receive the gospel." One day, they came to a small community on the outskirts of town. An elderly man welcomed them into his home. There, lying on a mat on the floor, was his teenage grandson. The boy had been sick for a long time. Doctors couldn't determine what was wrong with him, and eventually they had given up trying to treat him.

The missionaries asked if they could give the young man a priesthood blessing. The grandfather agreed. After the blessing, Elder Gonz and his companion continued deeper into the community, hoping to find people willing to hear their message, but no one would listen. Discouraged, they turned around and started walking back toward the highway to catch a bus home. On the way, they unexpectedly saw the grandfather again.

They asked how his grandson was doing. The old man smiled and said, "As soon as you left, my grandson asked for food. Then he got up, ran outside, and joined his friends playing basketball." The missionaries could hardly believe what they were hearing. The next day, they returned to that same community. This time, everything was different. People welcomed them into their homes. They listened to the missionaries message.

One by one, families accepted the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and chose to be baptized. In just three months, Elder Gonz and his companion baptized 30 people. The elderly grandfather became the branch's first branch president. Soon, the new branch had a complete organization with priesthood leaders, relief society, primary young men and young women serving together. Today, where once no one would listen to the missionar's message, there is a beautiful two-story chapel.

And the story doesn't end there. The boy who received that priesthood blessing, he grew up and served as a full-time missionary. When Jesus Christ commissioned his apostles, he gave them authority to bless, heal, and minister in his name. Latter-day Saints believe that that same priesthood authority has been restored to the earth. While not every blessing results in physical healing according to our hopes or timing, this young man's life stands as a powerful witness that miracles still happen according to God's will.

And sometimes one miracle can open the hearts of an entire community.