A Teen with Many Talents
J-Ephraim can do a lot of things well—including some you may not notice at first.
Photographs by Leslie Nilsson
J-Ephraim is a future chef in the making!
At age 14, J-Ephraim from Manila, Philippines, already knows his way around the kitchen. “I want to be a chef someday,” he says. One of his favorite dishes to create is sinigang, a meal that blends different meats and vegetables with vinegar to give it that sour-yet-delicious flavor.
He also loves gaming, exercising, hanging out with his friends, and playing basketball.
But perhaps some of his greatest talents aren’t ones you can see with a quick glance.
Family Challenges
“I’m the product of a broken family,” he explains. When J-Ephraim was nine, his father left the family. Suddenly J-Ephraim’s mother had to raise him and his two younger siblings alone. Things weren’t easy for any of them.
“I felt a lot of anger at first,” J-Ephraim admits. He wasn’t alone, either. “There was a lot of anger and sadness in our whole family.”
They each had to learn to live without a father around. Sometimes, the extra stress and sadness would lead to arguments. That’s when J-Ephraim decided to work on yet another talent: becoming a peacemaker.
“I try to be a peacemaker in our house, especially with my younger siblings.” His efforts are paying off too. While he’s the first to admit that arguments still happen, they’re all pulling together as a family to keep the arguing down and to continually strengthen their relationships. “We are very close as a family!” J-Ephraim says.
There’s one more secret to their success. J-Ephraim points to a simple but profound reason for his family’s closeness: “We keep following the teachings of Jesus Christ,” he says.
Family Successes
“One of the main reasons why we remain united to this day is because we stayed in the Church and kept following Jesus Christ,” J-Ephraim points out. “We attend sacrament meeting each Sunday and hold a family home evening each week.”
Spending time outside together is only one way this family stays close.
They also spend quality time together daily. “We always support each other in the talents we have and with the choices we make,” he says. Whether that means hanging out at the park, helping each other with homework, attending Church as a family, or spending time in the kitchen and laughing together, they know the importance of building their family a little bit more each day.
J-Ephraim and family have learned the value in learning together—whether that’s homework, scriptures, or new hobbies.
Strength in Christ
“Over time I’ve been able to forgive my father,” he says. When it comes to forgiveness, J-Ephraim has figured out something that many struggle a lifetime to learn. “When I forgive someone, that anger in my heart will go away, and I don’t have to dwell on it anymore.”
Now, admittedly, that’s often easier said than done. How do we forgive somebody when we can’t seem to find the strength to do so? Once again, J-Ephraim points to Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ’s power gives us the strength and guidance to triumph over our obstacles in life,” he says. “In our world today, there are so many challenges and temptations that could easily break us spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Christ can make it easier for us.”
His skills in the kitchen may take him far one day. But J-Ephraim’s decision to rely on Jesus Christ as his strength will take him infinitely further.
What Gives J-Ephraim Hope
During the past few years, J-Ephraim has found a lot of hope and encouragement from the same scripture that was used in the 2023 youth theme: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
“When I remember that verse, I remember that Christ can guide us in any of the challenges that we face.”