“Dedicate” Premieres in Manila, Philippines, as Series Passes 2 Million Views Ahead of Salt Lake Temple Celebration

Hundreds gathered at the Missionary Training Center near the Manila Philippines Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to watch the fifth episode of “Dedicate,” a new series, ahead of its global release. Congregations across the Philippines also held watch parties in local meetinghouses so that more youth and young adults could take part.

“Dedicate” follows seven young adults from Brazil, France, Ghana, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and the United States as they explore the Salt Lake Temple during its renovation. The historic temple closed for renovations in 2019 and will open for public tours from April 5 through October 1, 2027, as part of a global celebration. According to the release, the series has surpassed 2 million views on YouTube alone this week.

In each episode, the young adults meet Church leaders and seek answers to questions about faith, purpose and spiritual identity. The series explores, through personal experiences and candid conversations, how temples help strengthen individuals and families through Jesus Christ.

Emie Alvez of Manila, a participant in the series, spoke about her experience and answered questions from the audience. In her bio for the series, she said that young adults her age are drawn to the temple. “My generation deeply loves the temple. Amid uncertainty, it reminds us that God’s promises are sure,” she said. Alvez said she hopes viewers will see God’s love for them reflected in the experiences shared in the series. “What I’ve learned is Jesus Christ’s love is endless,” she says in Episode 5. “I knew that before, but I feel it more deeply now.”

After the event, James Ejercito, a young adult from Quezon, said that watching the series showed him more clearly how much God loves people. Althea Pallasigue of Pasig said the series made her think more deeply about the temple and described the many temples near her as a source of strength.

During the event, Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong of the Philippines Area Presidency invited young members to dedicate and rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ as they prepare to make and keep covenant promises in the temple. “Dedicate your life to Him, if you have fallen short––and all of us have––then rededicate yourselves. If you fall short again, rededicate. We just need to stand up one more time than the times we fall,” he said. Persistence after failure, as he described it, mirrors the call not to grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).

Watching and sharing the series is one way people can participate in the global Salt Lake Temple Celebration. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the celebration, which begins in April 2027, is an invitation to the world, and that the series is one way to include those who cannot attend in person. Episode 5 was released at 8 a.m. MST on November 1, 2026. The sixth and final episode will be released in spring 2027 as part of the ongoing Salt Lake Temple Celebration.

Source: Read the original report