From the Dust: Filipino Record

I recall a conversation I heard while serving my mission in the Philippines 2004-2005. One of my fellow missionaries talked about a book he had seen at a person’s house. The book was supposedly a record of Christ visiting the Philippines. All I really recall from this vague memory is that a man had a dream about Mother Mary with her head missing. The man wrote the dream in the back of the book. He interpreted the dream to mean that the Catholic Church could not be true.

Now I’ll tell you what, if ever there was a Mormon Missionary Myth, this has the makings of one. And so it would have been just a myth, an interesting thought; until one day about November last year. While thinking about this book, kind of wishing it was true, I thought to contact that missionary and ask him about it.

So I found the brother on facebook and asked him about it. The follow is the conversation I had with “Brother X” about this record. I’ve excluded personal information. I’ve also excluded the location of the record. That’s the last thing we need is someone going and getting it and putting in the hands of who knows who.

So here is my conversation:

Me: “Hey I have a question for you. I don’t remember when it was, probably in [Place 1]. But I remember you saying something about some guy in one of your previous areas that had a record of Christ visiting the Philippines. I remember you also said that he had written down a dream about seeing Mama Mary with out her head so he thought the Catholic Church wasn’t true. That’s what I remember anyway. Am I remembering this correctly or what? If you remember it could you provide me with any more info about it. Thanks.”

Brother X: “He lived in [Place 2]. I can’t remember what his name was, but he lived right behind the Catholic church. He was very passionate about the whole thing. He was raised Catholic but the day he had the dream, he decided the Catholic church couldn’t be true. He actually owns the copy of the record of Christ’s visit to the Philippines that has been handed down for generations in his family. The record states that a man descended from Heaven and taught the people and returned to Heaven, leaving a promise that he would one day return.”

Me: “Hahaha. Sweet. I knew I didn’t dream that whole thing up. Thanks.”

A few months later, while preparing to go on a vacation to the Philippines with my wife and daughter, I asked for some more information. I was hoping to be able to actually find the man and look at the book.

Me: “So did you actually see it? Was it like a book or just a few pages? “

Brother X: “It was like an old book.”

Me: “Who was your companion at the time maybe he would remember more.”

Brother X: “I believe it was elder [Insert Name Here].”

Me: “Well if you can remember anything else like what the house looked like, directions, if the guy is young enough to still be alive, please tell me. We’re planning on going to [Place 2] next week and I want to look for this guy.”

Brother X: “He lived directly behind the Catholic church. He was probably in his early 50’s when I met him. So I am sure he is alive still.”

We never made it to find the man. But I’m hoping someday I, or someone else, will be able to be go and confirm the existence of this record.

My quick photoshop of Christ visiting the Philippines.

I don’t know if this record really exists, I don’t doubt the word of this brother, so I believe it really does exist. But if it does, and is genuine, it would be really amazing. I have no idea what is written in the record other than what I’ve said above. And I don’t think Brother X knows much more and I was unable to contact his companion.

I wondered if some missionary would ever grab it up and send it to Salt Lake. But I think missionaries today would be less likely to be interested in such a thing. For me at least, I could see a lot of missionaries, steering clear of that guy. He would be labeled as, “that crazy guy with the book.” I recall an attitude, in myself at least, of wanting to stay with established information rather than searching for further truth.

I’m hoping that eventually this record will see the light of day and be able to be examined. Even if not genuine it would be interesting to read what is written inside.

Just some other interesting notes. The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Southeast Asia. The Spanish brought Catholicism to the Philippines.

There is a mountain, Mt. Banahaw, it is considered a holy place. There are claims to healing waters on the mountain. I read(again, second hand info) there is a local legend that Christ appeared on that mountain. The local people do re-enactments of the crucifixion and death of the Savior on that mountain.

So I don’t know. I think Christ visited many more people than just the Jews, Nephites, and Gentiles. Someday these records will be made known to us. Could this “Filipino Record” be a glimpse into Christ’s dealings with all the people of the world?